Bible League: Living His Word All of you together are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of that body.Individual Christians are members of the church of Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul likens the church to a body – the body of Christ. Jesus is the head of the body and the rest of us comprise the many parts of the body. Thus, there is one body, one head of the body, and many parts or members of the body. As parts of the body, each one of us has a role to play. Although individual Christians may struggle at times discerning what that is, there is no one in the body without a role. Indeed, you wouldn't be a part of the body if you didn't have a necessary role. Each part has been gifted by the one Spirit with an individual role to play that will benefit the rest of the body. Our roles may change as we mature in the faith, but we always have at least one role. Most may have a number of roles. Given that there are many different parts of the body and that each part has its own unique role to play, it follows that one person's role is not another person's role. We should not make any futile attempts to be like another person. The Spirit has given each person the necessary gifts for their own role and if a person moves outside of that calling they will be functioning outside the leading and empowerment of the Spirit. To be envious of, jealous, or covetous of another person's role has no place in the body of Christ. If a person is having trouble identifying their role, then one good way to resolve the issue is to determine what is actually ministering to other members. If what we are doing is a struggle for us and is not ministering to others, then there is a good chance we have moved outside the call and gifting of the Holy Spirit. Or, if what we are doing is easy for us and ministers to others, then there is a good chance we are moving within the call and gifting of the Holy Spirit – despite whatever doubts we may have about it. Today, be at peace about your place in the body, for you have a unique role to play that is necessary for the good of the whole. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 28, 29, 30 Psalm 28 -- To you, O Lord, I call. My rock, don't be deaf to me NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 29 -- Ascribe to the Lord, you sons of the mighty NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 30 -- I will extol you, O Lord, for you have raised me up NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Acts 21:1-14 Acts 21 -- Paul Sails from Miletus to Jerusalem, Seized in the Temple NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion “Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me.”Insight How does this verse relate to Luke 9:50: “Anyone who is not against you is for you”? In the earlier passage, Jesus was talking about a person who was driving out demons in Jesus' name. Those who fight evil, he was saying, are on the same side as one driving out demons in Jesus' name. Here, by contrast, he was talking about the conflict between God and the devil. In this battle, if a person is not on God's side, he or she is on Satan's. There is no neutral ground. Because God has already won the battle, why be on the losing side? Challenge If you aren't actively for Christ, you are against him. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Deuteronomy 5:24 The Lord our God hath shewed us his glory.God's great design in all his works is the manifestation of his own glory. Any aim less than this were unworthy of himself. But how shall the glory of God be manifested to such fallen creatures as we are? Man's eye is not single, he has ever a side glance towards his own honor, has too high an estimate of his own powers, and so is not qualified to behold the glory of the Lord. It is clear, then, that self must stand out of the way, that there may be room for God to be exalted; and this is the reason why he bringeth his people ofttimes into straits and difficulties, that, being made conscious of their own folly and weakness, they may be fitted to behold the majesty of God when he comes forth to work their deliverance. He whose life is one even and smooth path, will see but little of the glory of the Lord, for he has few occasions of self-emptying, and hence, but little fitness for being filled with the revelation of God. They who navigate little streams and shallow creeks, know but little of the God of tempests; but they who "do business in great waters," these see his "wonders in the deep." Among the huge Atlantic-waves of bereavement, poverty, temptation, and reproach, we learn the power of Jehovah, because we feel the littleness of man. Thank God, then, if you have been led by a rough road: it is this which has given you your experience of God's greatness and lovingkindness. Your troubles have enriched you with a wealth of knowledge to be gained by no other means: your trials have been the cleft of the rock in which Jehovah has set you, as he did his servant Moses, that you might behold his glory as it passed by. Praise God that you have not been left to the darkness and ignorance which continued prosperity might have involved, but that in the great fight of affliction, you have been capacitated for the outshinings of his glory in his wonderful dealings with you. Daily Light on the Daily Path Luke 1:49 "For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.Exodus 15:11 "Who is like You among the gods, O LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, Awesome in praises, working wonders? Psalm 86:8 There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, Nor are there any works like Yours. Revelation 15:4 "Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU, FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED." Matthew 6:9 "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Luke 1:68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, Isaiah 63:1 Who is this who comes from Edom, With garments of glowing colors from Bozrah, This One who is majestic in His apparel, Marching in the greatness of His strength? "It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save." Psalm 89:19 Once You spoke in vision to Your godly ones, And said, "I have given help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people. Ephesians 3:20,21 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, • to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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