Wednesday September 13, 2023

Today is Wednesday, September 13 and we are exploring what the Bible says about life together in the Body of Christ.

As a new day dawns, I seek God first. I slow down and pause to focus on his loving presence. I inhale his goodness and peace and exhale any worries or concerns. I leave my burdens to rest in his strong hands.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, you are King of my heart and Shepherd of my soul. Walk with me on today’s journey. Lead me to green pastures and still waters. Guide me in paths of righteousness and fill the cup of my heart with your goodness. Amen.

In the morning I seek God and praise him with the ancient words of Psalm 42.

My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. Psalm 42:3-4

Pause and Pray

In Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus, he taught that Christ followers become whole in Jesus over a lifetime of sanctifying grace. We attain maturity in the faith through the work of the Holy Spirit. God accomplishes this work in his people through community with other Christians. Life together in the Body of Christ is essential for growth in holiness. The church is not a building for parishioners to come, but a household where God chooses to live and a workshop for sanctification. Christian believers are built together into a growing temple and collectively knit into a sacred dwelling place for a holy God.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22

The church is not a building, but a people. The church is a dwelling place of hearts in which God lives by his Holy Spirit. I am joined together with other Christian believers and constructed into a holy temple for the Lord. Together we are a house built on the sacred foundation laid by the prophets of the Old Testament and the Apostles of the New Testament. We are a spiritual house with a precious cornerstone – Jesus. I am a cherished member of God’s blessed household. I rejoice that I am part of this sacred fellowship of believers. Not one is a stranger to me, but in Christ each is the dearest of friends.

Ask: Do I see myself as an integral part of my current church home? How might God want to bless me as I live life together with other Christians?

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, thank you for my place as a member of your precious household. I have an important role in the building up of your holy temple. Assemble me together with other believers to create something noticeably wonderful and good. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, abide in me, dwell in my heart and join me with other faithful followers. I read the words from Ephesians again and listen for the message you have for me.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

As I ruminate on these words of scripture, I listen with the ear of my heart. God wants to speak to me about my role in the community of faith. I consider the circumstances of my current church home and what is affecting me positively or negatively. Perhaps there is a particular person in my church who God is pointing out to me. Maybe there is a relationship in my church that God wants me to improve. Perhaps there is work to be done building up a part of my church Maybe there is a section of my church where God’s presence is lacking. Perhaps God wants me to roll up my sleeves and get to work.

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, shine your spotlight on my community of faith. Reveal the places which need home improvement, foundation repair, building reinforcements, or a rejoining of spirit. Show me what it means to love other believers and truly share life with them. Amen.

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:26-27

As I leave this time of prayer, I go to love my brothers and sisters in Christ and faithfully serve my church home.

Amen