1 Corinthians 12:12 “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.”
I never thought my little toe was so important until I broke it in 2006. It radiated pain at first, and then continuing pain caused me to limp for several weeks as I walked to and fro in school halls. One such small part of my body made my entire body suffer! Then there was the time I tore a rotator cuff in my left shoulder. Pretty soon, I was overcompensating with my right arm and shoulder, and, oops, there went another rotator cuff! I’ve seen this happen, too, with knee and hip issues. Throw one out of joint, and other bodily aches, pains. and misalignment occur. Indeed, all parts of our bodies need to be working well and in unison with one another for full function to occur, just as God designed. This is so true of the body of Christ! All parts are important—the parts we see and the parts not so easily seen. “Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, ‘I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,’ that does not make is any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, ‘I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,’ would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or is your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where He wants it.” 1 Corinthians 12:14-17 This past week I witnessed the body of Christ functioning as a Christ would have it—like a well-trained athlete whose body was perfected to go forth and win its race. I saw volunteers creating life-like caves and an amazing wooden boat; I saw salvation-rock painters, snack and game creators, crew leaders getting ready to lead while others prepared missionary lessons, Kid-Vids, and Bible lessons. Yes, you guessed it! This was all in preparation for Vacation Bible School, and what a blessing it was to watch a church’s members draw together to serve our younger generation; they were one body with one goal--share salvation through Jesus Christ with the younger generation. Vacation Bible School is SO IMPORTANT! There we witness God’s Word go forth in its many forms as men, women, and youth all share the gifts God has given them to spread the Good News. Twenty-four out of ninety-eight children accepted the Lord this past week at my church’s VBS. THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS MIGHTILY AT WORK! Maybe He touched children’s hearts during gathering time or traveling to or from activities; maybe it was during snack time, or the snacks themselves, so beautifully illustrating daily themes; perhaps it was during game time as the leader shared God’s Word. Perhaps it was during times when crew leaders prayed with the children or during sessions at Kid-Vid, Missions, or Bible time. Who knows when the Holy Spirit drew these children to Jesus, but He did in the right time and in the right place for each child. What we do know is that the love of God was shared in many forms, with each volunteer demonstrating through his/her gifts “I love you!” Words, actions, smiles, all demonstrating Jesus’ love, contributed to touch the hearts of children and begin the changing of lives. Was one part of Vacation Bible School more important than another? Was one person? Absolutely NOT! It was the oneness that allowed God’s Holy Spirit to work in His fullness. Let us never forget to give thanks for the talents and spiritual gifts He has given each believer, knowing that each gift is important. “In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.” 1 Corinthians 12:22-26 During future days and months, as you pray and think about the talents and spiritual gifts God has given you, please consider how He can best use you in His kingdom. Are you a cook? A speaker? A teacher? An evangelist? Are you artistic? A prayer warrior? A musician? An athlete? Do you work well with children? Youth? Adults? Whatever your gifts, ask God how He can best use you to bring others into His kingdom and honor Him. And please, as Vacation Bible Schools all over our country and other countries have brought Jesus to children this year, keep them in prayer! Let us pray that God’s Word will take deep root in their hearts, especially if there is a child who will not be able to attend church during their growing years, so that he/she may seek Him out and grow in Him as an adult. Yes—my toe healed, and once again I could walk with balance—okay—never with complete balance (just ask my husband!)—but with whatever balance God has given me! Where I did witness perfect balance and a body functioning as it should, however, was last week in the body of Christ—each person not considering himself or herself more important than another, but each doing the work with the talents and gifts God had given. There I saw the beauty of oneness! VERSES: 1 Corinthians 12:18 “But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where He wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you.’ The head can’t say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you.’” Romans 2:10-11 “But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.” Psalm 133 “How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced His blessing, even life everlasting.” PRAYER: Dear Father God, what peace you bestow on each of us when we behold Your Spirit leading the body of Christ in unity and harmony to share with others the Good News of salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ! Truly, it is beautiful to behold! May our oneness be a testimony to who You are, our majestic King and God, who desires loving unity in all things. May our actions lift Your name high and and glorify Your name forever. DISCLAIMER: I am just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since. How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn't know who He is?! These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ and grow in your heart relationship with Him. However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other "teachers," with God's Holy Word. Therein lies the source of all truth! Comments are closed.
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Author Candice Mary Thomas writes about loving God and loving people! Coming to Christ at age 32 and now in her 70's, Candice knows what a difference it makes living with or without Christ as one's personal Savior. Archives
December 2022
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