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How
the Body Works
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Equipping
the Saints How the Body Works - Unity in Diversity How the Body Works - A Look at the Gifts How the Body Works - Love is the Best |
Love
What The Lord Loves How
many times have you heard someone squeak out a few notes of a song, only
to have someone say to them, "Oh be quiet, you can't sing!"?
God made all of us to worship Him, with our lives and with our
voices. Could it be that
the enemy of our souls attempts to strike out at us while we are young,
telling us that we can't sing? Would
that not effectively shut down our praise?
Each and every voice is unique, given by God for the purpose of
singing and speaking praise to him.
He loves them all. He makes no junk.
The voice that we hear might not be the most pleasing thing to our
ears, and we may not want to have a microphone in front of it. But it is precious in the sight of God. So
then the thing that might be despised by men is precious to the eyes and
ears of the Lord. God loves
it all, and we must never look down upon what the Lord loves!
Helps, mercy, serving, encouraging, and discerning are all gifts
that are often exhibited with little recognition.
The Lord sees all these things, and the reward is just as great,
and maybe greater for the quiet servant. It
is no accident that for many people opposites attract, and it can have a
very positive effect in marital relationships if strengths and
weaknesses are well complimented and respected.
It is when these differences are not respected that relationship
problems can begin to develop. This is very true in the area of church "denominations". I have a book that lists over 1300 different Christian denominations. There are really only a few in North America albeit with many different shades. God does not see church walls. He sees his "church". There may be a church down the street that has deep teaching strength but are subdued and stifled in worship. In the meantime their brothers and sisters down the road might be able to benefit from some of that teaching, but can they ever celebrate in worship! It might be that there is a place where God is speaking prophetically, but is in need of some order, while down the street is a group of people who have not heard a fresh word from the Lord in years, but are giving and loving people. Jesus still loves His church! (John
14:35)
What would
happen if the world saw the church in and unity and love?
They would see that we are disciples of Jesus.
What kind of difference would it make in the (invisible) church
if we respected our differences, and even saw them as being possibly
instructive to what may be our own weakness? |