Increase The Body

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:16 (KJV)

"Each part... helps the other parts grow." Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)

Really, the scripture is speaking to us about networking here. Not necessarily in the sense we think of on our job, with clients, other sub-contractors or sales reps.
But, in a spiritual sense, we network. The body, Paul said is "fitly joined together", "we are compacted by that which every joint supplieth"..........
then read on....................."according to the effectual working"...........
Christ effectively molded and built the church, strategically placing us where we can grow, but also where as we network with the body, where we can be an asset. As the church reaches her potential, the members who are fitly framed together, who know their place, who have fulfilled ministry, who walk in the Spirit and are led by the Spirit of God, they grow together. As they grow, they help develop the entire body. Paul said every part....helps the other to grow. It isn't a show. It isn't always something that can be seen outwardly. It is a spiritual growth.

Next time you're walking in the woods, imagine what's taking place under your feet. As the roots of trees come into contact with one another they form an underground support system. One has access to water, another to nutrients, another to sunlight, etc. A networking is taking place that strengthens them all. This is what Paul had in mind: "[Under His direction], the whole body is 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." Some of us independent types have difficulty when it comes to networking. We fly solo, until we crash and burn! Eventually our pain, not our brain, shows us our need for things like:


(1) Mercy.
"Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others" (Col 3:13 NLT).
What motivates us to show mercy to others? God's mercy to us. You'll never be asked to forgive someone else more than God has already forgiven you. this is an integral part of the network of the church. It is essential for us to show mercy in order for the body to increase.

(2) Understanding.
"Be sympathetic ...kind...gentle, and patient" (Col 3:12 GWT).
Sympathy meets two fundamental human needs we all have: the need to be understood and the need to have our feelings validated. The problem is we're in such a hurry to fix people that we don't have time to sympathize with them. We're too preoccupied with our own hurts. Self-pity dries up sympathy for others. We forget the time it took for us to grow from the tender young plant to the old oak tree we are now.

(3) Encouragement.
"I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you" (Ro 1:12 NCV).
All of us are strengthened in our faith when others walk with us and encourage us.
" And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. " Ecc. 4:12
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Jas. 5:16
So today, practice networking!!!!!!!!! Pray for one another, call out the name of a friend to God in prayer.
Encourage someone who is slipping.
Bring a neighbor to church Sunday.
Pick up that child in your neighborhood and bring them to Sunday School.
Be understanding instead of judgmental. Oh, come on now.......you know I'm right!!!!
Remember God's mercy in your life, and show mercy to someone today.
Let's network the Love of God, let's network the Mercy of God..........

Who Ya Talkin To?

Hey You....................Who Ya Talkin To?

I've got a blue tooth, ........not in my mouth silly. It is worn on my ear, it receives a signal from my cell phone so I can talk without holding the phone. I can't tell you how many times I have been walking along, talking on my blue tooth, no phone in hand, sometimes not even in sight. there I am talkin' away, passing people in the check out, at the restaurant, where ever and they hear me just jabbering. Often they look at me like, "Who you takin' to?"

Sometimes I think, "Not you." haha. After a minute it is obvious I am not talking to them, so in time they simply pay me no attention. But there is always the questioned look, "Who ya talkin' to?"

Look at this scripture............................

Galatians 1:15-16 KJV
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.

Paul gave no attention to what the people said. When he knew what God wanted him to do he didn't then go ask people what they thought about it. When you've heard from God you don't need to find out what your friends and family thinks about it. You just need to do it.

When you know that you know that you heard from God, you don't need a sign. You don't need to say, "Give me a sign Lord. Let a rooster cock-a-doodle-doo at midnight and I'll know it's your will." God doesn't lead you by signs; He leads you by His Spirit. When you pray daily, you will hear Him speaking to you.

Some folks don't pray until the emergency shows up. Now, I'm saying this jokingly, but I almost believe that when God hears certain voices praying, He says, "I haven't heard that voice in five years. They must be in trouble again." Since I'm on this point, there are also folks who don't go to church until things go wrong. God is not your Santa Clause. And he's not God-in-the-Box, where you wind Him up when you want to and out He jumps. God expects you to live for him with your whole life. He expects you to come before Him in prayer - all the time - daily, so that you can know that you know that you have His direction.

What you need is the Word and to follow the Holy Ghost. Paul said, I didn't confer with flesh and blood. If I had listened to people I wouldn't have a church, because people told me not to come here. You have to spend time in prayer, and let God show you what He wants you to do. Then when you know what God wants you to do, do it.

You mean God deals with me in the earth? Yes. He made you. He cares about you. Jesus died for you. Do you think He would then just leave you alone in this earth to fend for yourself until you die? No, He's involved in your life to the extent you will hear His word and obey His voice through prayer and fellowship with Him. He will show you what He wants you to do in life. When you have heard from God, you don't need the sound of many voices echoing in your ears.

Hey You..........Who Ya' Talkin' To?

No Place Like Home

In my office........................

at home with the family.........................

My 16 year old daughter, my 24 year old daughter and her husband, my 13 year old son, my wife and I all sit and talk. Well, actually we talk over each other. Do you ever do that?

Here we all are. we are sitting around the office, some in chairs, some on the arms of chairs, one on the corner of my desk. What are we talking about? Nothing really. Just talking, the clamour of voices, one over another. One loud, another laughing, one interrupting the last.

We have talked about french horns, gift cards, Dad's birthday, Amber and TJ arguing....imagine that!!!!!!!!!!! I love my family, I love it when we are all at home. But my family just likes noise.

My family is not unlike other families, but it is our family that has defined us. Our family brings strength to one another. we can pick at each other, and talk over each other, but no one else had better try it. We are family. I have seen my daughter run down the street chasing kids who were picking on her little brother, truly a sight to behold.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.................

Shouldn't our extended family be like this as well? Shouldn't my church family be like this?
When somebody comes against my brother or my sister, I should rise to their defense. When the enemy attacks my brother, I should drop to my knees and tell my heavenly father all about it. Sometimes we are just noise and clamour. Sometimes we accomplish things together, sometimes it is just us, sitting around and talking, talking over each other, but we are family.
Together, we can accomplish things, together we can overcome. United we are strong, divided we we will fall.

We live in an age of "every man for himself." "I'll sell you out if it benefits me."
We need family.
We live in an age of noise and clamour.
We need the continuity of family.
We live in a loveless society.
We need the love of family.

Family strengthens, family holds on, family never gives up. Maybe that's why Jesus called us his children, joint heirs.....................................He didn't give up.
Get a grip on a church family, join us this Sunday.

Just a little thought in the midweek....................................
Look for more later.
God Bless