LIFELINES

Word, prayer, and the ministry of LifeSong Church

Thursday January 19, 2012

Bible Focus: Ephesians 4:15-16 - "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." (New International Version)

What's the most important part of the television set in your home? At my house, one would think it's the remote. It's the part that is most often talked about, the one that is most often touched, and the one that is most often lost. However, how valuable is it without the electronics, wires, plastic, and glass that allow me to watch my favorite shows? It would have no function or purpose for me at all.

People become a part of God's family when they invite Jesus into their lives. It is a wonderful gift from God to know that we are safe in Christ. However, God gives us another gift... a gift that some of us never fully understand or experience. That gift is to become an active and productive part of His body: the church. Without a connection to other Christians within His body, we can never fully discover our purpose for living, nor will we find the fulfillment in life that God wants us to have. You need the church; and, the church needs you. 

A Christian without a church is like a remote without a television. You will be crafted for a purpose, but will never experience the purposeful life you were designed to have. A Christian who is seeking God's will for her or his life, will never fully understand God's will apart from Jesus' body. 

Likewise, a church without all of its members is like a television without a remote: it can function, but not as well as it was designed to. A church which is seeking God's will for its life and ministry will never be able to fully reach its potential without all of the members it was designed to have who are using their specialized talents and abilities in the service of their Lord.

Pray today that God will lead you to the place in Christ's body where you have been designed to help the church grow and build "itself up in love, as each [of us] does [our specialized] work."

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Prayer Focus: Pray today that God will help you to find your place of service in the church to which you belong.

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Ministry Focus: WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY

This group will be looking through the scriptures to learn more about prayer…the how, when, where, and what to pray. They meet every Friday from 4:30pm to 6pm at our Russell campus. For more information, contact Rhonda at 922-0385 or rhonda@lifesonglife.com.