One Church, One Body 6-12-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Open the eyes of my heart and open the ears of my spirit. I want to see what You're doing and hear what You're saying to me today. ... "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you were called in the one body" (Colossian 3:15). "How many churches are there in Kerrville?" the pastor asked. "One!", everybody in the sanctuary shouted back as they all held up a single finger in the air. "Who's church has the most members?" "Jesus!", they declared. That's the kingdom of God, a kingdom perspective of the body of Christ. "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all" (Ephesians 4:4-5). There are many streams, yet one river; many gifts, yet one Spirit; "many members, yet one body" (1 Corinthians 12:20). Sometimes we need to forgive one another so we can move forward with one another. We can't love one another unless we are willing to embrace one another. We can't speak the truth in love to one another unless we're willing to speak to one another -- and listen to one another. But if we will humble ourselves to hear one another's heart and humble ourselves to forgive and be forgiven, there is a bond that You form out of the brokenness that becomes stronger than ever before. The strongest part of the steel becomes the very place where the broken pieces were welded together. As You bind up our broken hearts and set free our captive souls, You open up Your heavens and "proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (Luke 4:18-19). We cross over into the land of our destiny as one (Joshua 3:1-17). Then the world sees the Son in us, as Your name is the banner over us and Your nature is the love within us (John 17:22; Song of Solomon 2:4). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org