GROWING TOGETHER
He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)
The Bible describes followers of Jesus as members of the Body of Christ.
The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. . . All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:12, 27 (NLT)
God causes the members of the body of Christ to fit together perfectly. He designed us so that each of us has different spiritual gifts—different practical expressions of the Holy Spirit. He made us so that we need other believers to help us grow to become more like Jesus.
Years ago, I broke my smallest finger, aka my pinky finger. Though it’s my smallest finger, and I have nine other fingers, it hurt so much that it was difficult for me to use any part of my hand or to focus on doing anything else, until the pain in my finger subsided. My other hand grasped my pinky finger to try to soothe it, and my feet walked to the doctor to request some relief for my finger. When one part of the body hurts, the whole body hurts.
When each part of the body carries out its function in relationship with the other parts, it helps the whole body become healthy, growing and full of love. You may feel like an insignificant part of the body of Christ, but when you get together with other members of the body, you’re part of something that makes a difference in that group of people. Even your weaknesses and struggles help the members of your group exercise their gifts to show the love of God to one another.
When you get together with a group of fellow believers and share whatever God has given you, God uses you to help His body become healthy, growing and full of love.
APPLICATION: Find a small group of believers to meet with regularly and share what God has given or spoken to you.
PRAYER: Father, give me the courage to show up to a group of believers to share what you’ve given me, and to receive what you’ve given them. Thanks for helping me feel Your love through others. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?