Happy Thursday! On March 4, we began to talk about each body part having a purpose in the church. Nothing is more exciting than seeing the church being the church. Watching members of the body of Christ work together to make an experience for believers and nonbelievers to worship or see God at work in communities. Join me as we continue to read on the importance of all the parts of the body working together.

Bible Verse – 1 Corinthians 12:22-26

“²² In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. ²³ 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, ²⁴ 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. ²⁵ This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.” 

Reflection

Too often we see division within the church. Division in the church is often a spiritual battle that most people don’t even recognize. There are times when it is triggered by pride, miscommunication, hurt feelings and selfish ambitions. In these verses we read, Paul, is calling on the Corinthian church to flourish in genuine unity toward one another. He is directing each member to show love and demonstrate mutual concern for one another. For us as the body of Christ, we have ample opportunities to demonstrate that love every day.

We must recognize that the body of Christ is at work all around us. This past Wednesday night, I was walking around a town in a state that I had never visited before. It was after 7:00 p.m., and a community of people were gathered around the steps of City Hall. Days before there were protesters marching around, but Wednesday night it was different – the crowd was calmer and they were waiting with anticipation for something. I continued to walk past, but upon my return around 30 minutes later I could hear what sounded like a pastor praying and more people had gathered in the area. I began to listen to the prayer. I listened for familiar language to see what type of prayer it was, who the person was praying to, and who he was praying for. When I heard him say the name of Jesus Christ I knew he was ministering to the loss, least, last, left out, and those without. The people were gathered to get food, etc., they received prayer and the city was prayed for – at the steps of City Hall. It was a blessing to hear and see God’s children the body of Christ actively working in spaces outside of the church. It was a moment where I could feel my spirit engaged in the prayer and purpose of the event. As I continued to walk, I found myself clinging to each word and ready to say amen in agreement.

Sisters and brothers, let’s be the church, the body of Christ in this world and use the spiritual gifts and talents in the spaces and times God gives us to bring glory to His name and comfort/encourage others around us.

• What spiritual gift has God given to you? _______
• When was the last time God called you to use that gift? ________
• Were you or are you willing to be obedient to God’s prompting to use your gift, wherever he plants you? _______

Lord, use us even when the critical world is watching. 

Father God, thank you for today. Lord, thank you for another opportunity to serve you right where we are. Lord, only you know how this day will turn out. Lord, you are the only one in control of all things and have created all things. Lord, we may not understand the reasons why people die, suffer, are murdered, stricken with disease or by tragedies, but Lord we trust you in the midst of it all. Lord, forgive us for our anger toward one another. Lord, forgive us for our anger toward you. Lord, we need you, our families need you, our church, this country and world needs you. Lord, you have put us in places for a reason. Lord, you have given us time in the day for a reason. Lord, use us to bring glory to your name. Use us and our idol time to encourage and uplift others. Lord, unite us all in you. Lord, from the weakest to the strongest in faith use us mightily to fulfill our purpose here on earth.

Lord, we pray for the family of the man who lost his battle with cancer yesterday morning. Lord, we pray for comfort, peace, and strength. Lord, we thank you for his life and for ushering him into your presence for all eternity. Lord, we pray for those who are still battling cancer and we ask for healing, for your intervention and cure for them.

Lord, we pray for the woman whose son has a new court date. Lord, we stand in prayer with her asking for “the judge would “see”that her son is a changed man. That he would show compassion and leniency towards him. That her son would be able to serve out his sentence as probation and continue to be the hard-working father, husband, son, that he is today.”

Lord, we pray for those seeking employment and we ask for you to open up doors and opportunities. Lord, we pray for the mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional being of our readers and we ask that you stabilize and heal those suffering with chronic illness and/or depression. We pray for those who are struggling with physical challenges, and we ask that you help them. Lord, we pray for us all to draw nearer to you. Lord, protect our homes, heal marriages, help the widowed, the orphaned, the single, and single parent, and be with those who are traveling today.

In Jesus name, amen!

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Board and Volunteer Meetings:

Here’s the schedule for our bi-monthly meetings, on the second Saturday of the month at 9:00 a.m.:

• March 14
• May 9
• July 11
• August 8
• October 10
• December 12

Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. 

Send your prayer request to: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com

Bible Reference: http://www.biblegateway.com

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