8-14-20   THOUGHTS

Do we think often about the preciousness of THE CHURCH?  To me in a conversation a few weeks ago “I don’t need a bunch of people to help me keep my faith!”  We’ve all heard “I don’t need ORGANIZED RELIGION  to have a relationship with God.”  
LOVE completes itself in other people.  God made us that way.  The Church is God’s idea and plan.  We need to embrace that rather than selfishly fight it!  
So I say the word “CHURCH”!    What are your thoughts?

To the elders at Miletus Paul said...
Acts 20:28    "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Eph 2:18-22      for through Him we both [Jew & Gentile] have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20  having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21  in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22  in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

When I read the two passages above, I am compelled to REVERENCE FOR GOD’S DESIGN, even if it means I must put up with a bunch of people. Thank you for putting up with me. Much of the New Testament speaks to social problems and doctrinal problems among the people of this CHURCH!  THEY WERE TO GROW IN LOVE AND TRUTH!  There is no doubt that this was GOD’S WAY, and that HE INTENDED TO BLESS IT!    
Acts 2:47   praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number [KJV has church]  day by day those who were being saved.

My Prayer:
Lord God we thank you for the blessing of the Church.  We love you because you first loved us. We praise you for teaching us to love and to be fulfilled in that loving.  Help us to see your great plan for our growing together in love,  in order to show your great name and the name of Jesus to a lost and dying world.. We want to lift you up Oh God.  
In Jesus Name                   Amen