Devotional

18. Unity in the body

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Recently I have had the delight of going to El Salvador to help with the building of a new Local Evangelico there. While I was there I was enjoying the unity of the Saints as we all worked together, though we spoke different languages.

I see an interesting contrast between Gen. 11 (Babel) and God’s assembly.

In Gen. 11, they sought to build a city for themselves. In contrast, God has prepared for us an eternal city not made with hands (Heb. 11: 10,16).

Their desire was to make a tower and a name for themselves. Our desire is to gather to His name and person (Matt. 18:20). His name is our strong tower (Prov. 18:10).

Their purpose was not to be scattered, but God scattered them by creating multiple languages so they could not understand one another. In Acts 2, we see many languages acting in unity as the church was formed. In El Salvador, though from different parts of the world and of different languages, we were united as members of the body of Christ, united in purpose to build for Christ, and united in deed as we built together for Him. Though we may not have met one another, we were at home in each other’s company.

The result of selfish desire was scattered vanity. The result of Christ-centered desire is building for eternity. God cursed the first, and God blesses the second. Sin brings confusion; love brings unity and blessing.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Ps. 133:1

What are some reasons that we gather together? Why do we have assembly meetings? I’m interested in your thoughts. Here are a few that I have come up with.

A. To give the Lord the worship & praise due to Him.
B. To remember Him
C. To obey His command: “Do this” and “Forsaking not” (Matthew 18:20, Heb. 10:25)
D. The Lord is there!
E. To build up and encourage one another
F. to learn of Him
G. to have fellowship one with another

One of the tasks in El Salvador was to carry cement/clay block from the truck to the construction site nearby. To do this we made two lines of people and passed the block from person to person until it finally got to the end where they were piled ready to be placed into the building. This seems to me to be a good example of the necessity of the unity of God’s people for the proper functioning of a local body of Christians. What happens if one member is slower than the rest? The line can only go as fast as that member. What happens if one member of the body suffers? All the members suffer with it (1Cor. 12:26). For our physical bodies to function properly, we need to be healthy and all of our members need to work together. If one part is sick or lacking, it affects the whole body. Therefore, in keeping with the unity of the body, we must all work together to help that part which lacks, that the whole may be helped. What happened when one person left the line? It left a large gap to fill, and everyone else had to try to fill that gap. The work did not progress as quickly, and it made things more difficult. God declares that each member is not only good to have– each is necessary!! (1 Cor. 12:22) God has given us each our own role to play, and the assembly would not be the same without us. Perhaps it would be good for each of us to look to the Lord to better understand what place in that line, that body, He would have me to fill.

Sometimes we get away from the Lord and neglect to fill that place He has given us. Like an arm that has healed but is still lazily laying in the sling, we may not realize that we are needed, but the rest of the body will feel our absence. We may need some exercise in order to regain our usefulness, and truly our bodies do need to be exercised in order to stay fit for service. So, too we need to be exercised in prayer and active in service in order to reach the potential the Lord would have for us. We may not have a public role. Whether our role is to continue “in supplications and prayers night and day”, “distributing to the necessity of the saints”, showing hospitality, or preaching the Word, all are needed in the body of God’s people.

See 1Cor. 12:12-13:13

Eph 4:1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
Eph 4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
Eph 4:3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

17. Lost and Found

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Of late I have been enjoying similarities and differences found in the three accounts of lost things in Luke 15. These thoughts are not all original with me, but I’ve been enjoying them again.

To refresh our memory, the chapter begins in this way:

Luk 15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

Luk 15:2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

The Lord then proceeds to tell of a lost sheep, a lost piece of silver, and a lost son.

Similarities:

In each case there were others who felt no need of being found, and there was rejoicing over that which may have been looked down upon by others, the one of low estate. In fact, I believe this is one of the key points the Lord was trying to make (hand in hand with the need of all for repentence)… Truly, “This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.” How grand!

Each had value. Could we link the finding of the sheep with worship (sacrifice), the finding of the coin with redemption, and the finding of the son with relationship and position?

Could we say that in each case there was diligence in the search, and it was until the lost was found? For the sheep, the shepherd had to brave the world’s wilderness of peril and loneliness (think of the Savior’s stoop). For the coin, the woman had to light a candle and diligently sweep the house (Think of the Spirit’s light and work bringing conviction). For the son, the father was diligently looking and praying for the son to come home (Think of the Father’s earnest desire; and He surrendered His only son to follow after and take the place of the lost one who went his own way).

Some differences:
The first was 99:1 (100). The second was 9:1 (10). The third was 1:1 (2). Anyone have an idea what this might speak to us about? I believe the last may have to do with Jews & Gentiles or at least applies…

In the first, the 99 are left in the wilderness. In the last, the elder son is seen outside the father’s house.

In the first, there is joy in heaven. In the second, there is joy in the presence of the angels. In the third, there is joy in the father’s house.

In the first, the sheep wandered out of the way, perhaps without intending to do so. In the second, the coin was lost without any effort of its own (due to falling to the ground with Adam). In the third, the son willingly rejects the love of his father and goes out on his own in rebellion for a taste of the world. Sinners by practice, birth, and choice. Praise God, all were recovered!

The sheep was helpless against the foe, the coin was helpless against the fall, the son was helpless amidst the famine.

A found sheep needs a guide; a found coin needs a guardian; a found son needs growth in a caring family.

You find the sheep on the shoulders of a caring shepherd-strength, you find the coin in the hand of a faithful witness-security, and you find the son in the arms of a forgiving father-serenity.

The only account that gives the reaction of the ones not “lost” is the account of the lost son.

The son is said to not only be lost, but dead and risen again.

I value all your comments and additions on the above. I hope this invokes your thoughts and meditation to explore the lessons and applications that can be learned from this wonderful chapter of God’s word.

16. The Hands of Christ

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As we consider the hands of our Savior, we remember that His hands mirror His heart; His works mirror the glory of His person.

A. Humble Hands

“Is not this the carpenter?” Mark 6:3

The God of eternity Whose hand spans the heavens humbled Himself, took on flesh, and worked with His hands to support His earthly family. What humility!

B. Holy Hands

“Who did no sin” 1 Peter 2:22

His hands went about doing good. Never did they stray from righteousness. His hands were holy and without blemish. What purity!

C. Healing Hands

Jesus touched a leper. He touched the sick. He touched blind eyes. He touched a tongue. He touched an ear. He touched the casket of one dead. Wherever he went, He touched hearts, and healed them. Yes, and those who touched Him in faith were blessed as well. What sympathy!

D. Helping (Saving) Hands

“And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him” Matt. 14:31

It was the Lord’s hand that was stretched forth to save a faltering Peter on a stormy sea. When we are helpless, our Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save (Isa. 59:1). What ability!

E. Holes in His Hands

“They pierced my hands and my feet.” Ps. 22:16

Those hands that faithfully served His father were willingly surrendered to brutal nails and nailed to a cruel tree. They gave their all to the Father whom they never failed to please. What devotion! What sacrifice!

F. Holding Hands

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:28

Within His hand there is nothing to fear. What security!

G. Heavenly Hands

“And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.” Luke 24:50

The hands once lifted in anguish and suffering now, having provided the means, were lifted in grace upon undeserving ones for whom He came. What bounty!

***

In light of the hands of our Master, may our hands be humble (Eph 4:28), holy (1 Tim 2:8), healing (Gal. 6:1-2), helping, sacrificing, supporting, and blessing!

15. The Supremacy of Christ, Matthew 12

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Mat 12:6,8 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple…. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.  

Mat 12:41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

Mat 12:42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

***

Christ is greater than the law. The law revealed mankind’s need without giving us a remedy. Christ revealed the righteous, holy character of God and then met our need at Calvary. 

Christ is greater than the temple, and the Old Testament priesthood. (Hebrews 4:14, Hebrews ch 7-10). When we come together to worship in His name, we do so not looking at the outward beauty of an earthly structure, because “in this place is one greater than the temple.”  Our eyes turn to Him and His beauty, and we loose any desire for the cathedrals of Christendom. Majestic structures pale in the presence of the Majestic One.

This Great High Priest is unchanging, abiding, all-sufficient, perfectly holy, ever faithful.

Jonah was a great prophet, through whose preaching multitudes were saved. Yet this Prophet is the Savior of the world. He not only foretold the future, He Himself was foretold (Deut. 18:15). Yea, He is before all things, Himself the very Word of God. God hath in these last days spoken unto us in Son (Heb. 1:2).

Finally, Solomon was a glorious king full of wisdom. Yet who is he when we consider the King of kings? Exalted to the right hand of the Majesty on high, to Him, Lord Jesus, every knee shall bow. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. His wisdom and greatness is unsearchable. His glory is indescribable.

How great is the wonder that we shall share eternity with Him!

Son of God, we before Thee fall
Thou alone art worthy of all

13. Word of God: Metaphors and Similes

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God’s word is compared to a number of things. Here’s a few I thought of– please leave your comments to give us more!

God’s word is…

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
1Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword…

God’s word is like:

Silver: Psalm 12:6
Rain: Isaiah 55:10-11
Fire, a Hammer: Jeremiah 23:29

So…

God’s word is our guide, our source of birth & growth, our protection & source of conviction.
God’s words are pure, they give provision and will prosper (at the right season), they are purifying and powerful.

What are your meditations on this subject?

12. Word of God

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Just a few thoughts I have been enjoying lately in relation to the Word of God. I hope to expand on this in days to come.

John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

1 Tim. 6:15-16 “he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. “

“whom no one has ever seen or can see” – “we have seen his glory”
The Unseen was made manifest. Rays of that light too bright for the eyes of men are revealed to our hearts in the person of Jesus Christ.

“who dwells in unapproachable light” – “and dwelt among us”
The Unapproachable came “God with us” to dwell as man among men.

“who alone has immortality” – “And the Word became flesh”
Why flesh? “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil…” Hebrews 2:14 
The Immortal came, partook of flesh, to die for sinful men!

 

11. Creation’s Voice

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Psa 36:5 Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

Psa 36:6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O LORD.

Psa 36:7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Psa 36:8 They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

Psa 36:9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.

What wonderful words are these! I received a portion in an email from the Voice of the Martyrs today and thought I would share them with you. In what ways do we see the character of God manifested in His marvelous creation? These verses tell us of a few:

1) His creation is great, unfathomed, infinite, and so is our God! The stars swirl endlessly into space. Our bodies are infinitely complex. As technology advances, the complexity of living things fills our microscopes and our minds. Whether I’m splitting atoms or admiring stars, my God is infinite in even the very minute details of my life.

2) Yet the greatness of our God would be nothing to us if it could not touch our hearts. A mother’s hand would mean nothing to her child if they were separated from birth. Yet praise be to God, his greatness did not separate us but His love united us to Himself. His greatness combined with His love in such a way that He sent His own infinite Son into a finite world to bring mortal, insignificant man to God! Therefore, The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.  What a neat picture God has given us in the example of a hen protecting her chicks. The God Who created us to love is the God who loves us without measure.

3) Water abounds with symbolism in the Scriptures. Here the psalmist seems to link it with a never-ending stream of satisfying delight and exhuberant life.

4) Light is another rich symbol of Scripture. Surely it is God who enlightens us to truth, to direction, to correction, to preservation. How dark would be our hearts in the shadow of death without the shining Light of His Word and countenance upon us. How delightful to have the “Dayspring (sunrise) from on High” with us each day! Luke 1:78-79

~NEB