Hammer on Anvil '

^{What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word Church? Is it building, pews, steeple, people, Sunday?}

 

^{Based on this definition, The Church is the body of Christ.}

^{Well, what does that mean?}

^{Go with me as I try to paint this picture for you and do realize that I am coming from a very literal and anatomical perspective.}

^{The head, or more specifically the brain, is the control center for the body. Without the intricate neurological functions of the brain, the body is worthless and often times lifeless. The brain is so complex and in so many ways mysterious. And the shell that encompasses such a complexity –a skull; and painted on it a beautiful, one-of-a-kind original masterpiece, the face. How do we most commonly identify each other? By recognizing a person’s face. It’s usually the first thing we see when we look at a person. There are no two exactly alike. Such beauty. Such mystery. Such purpose.}

^{Now can the body survive without a finger? Sure. How about a leg? Yep. Can it function without an appendix? Absolutely.}

^{Yet it will never operate to its fullest ability or intention without ALL of its parts. The body will never look or work just right ever again.}

^{Please hear me out…this is already a beautiful physical picture painted of the body of Christ in Ephesians…but you know there is always a bigger spiritual picture to behold. Oh man, that is something I love about the Scriptures. God will use a physical analogy to explain the depths of a spiritual one.}

^{Paul wants for us to know that in God’s ‘big picture’ plan for the redemption of mankind, He chose to use The Church – the very people who have given their lives to follow Jesus Christ. God desires for a lost world to look into the face of The Church and see the reflection of the one true Savior, Jesus Christ. He’s one of a kind. He longs for The Church to display and outpouring of bleeding compassion, radical love, effortless humility and unparalleled unity.}

^{God's purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. --Ephesians 3:10-11NLT}

^{I fear that what most see is division, hypocrisy, angst, hatred, judgment…must I go on? Ugh! We are a pathetic people -- stubborn, dumb sheep that we are.}

^{There is hope. The Holy Spirit continues to teach us how to function as the body of Christ. The world is in desperate need of its Savior. Let The Church not stand in the way of a lost world finding redemption and forgiveness in Jesus. We have a lot of soul-searching, Scripture reading, and on-your-face praying to do, Christians. Will you ask God to open your heart, your ears, and your eyes to see.}

^{Ephesians 3:16-20 NIV I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.}

^{Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.}

^{(Happy birthday to my much older brother. I love you dearly. Your demonstration of the body of Christ led me to the feet of my Savior. May we always seek to glorify Him.)} 

After only ten years as a follower of Christ, I have come to know my Savior as a refuge. I pray you know that He is too. My God is unchanging. He is always abounding in love; He is safe. I expect these things from 

God each and every time I turn to him. He never lets me down.

  

Recently, some soul-shaking circumstances have come our way. The lives of my family have been turned upside down…so we have fallen to our knees in prayer and petition to our Lord and Savior. It is there before the Lord we have found rest, peace, mercy, comfort, relief, hope, and love.

What is really overwhelming my soul lately is the countless people who have displayed these very characteristics of God. Jesus people...loving us in unexpected, extraordinary, and practical ways. While we are sitting in the middle of a storm, our brothers and sisters are sitting in the boat riding it out with us.

God has sent his comfort and relief and love in the form of these beautiful people -- each one offering their unique God-characteristic to hold us up in our time of need. Some have fed our souls with scriptures. Some have physical fed us with home-cooked meals. Some have tended to our children or to an errand or chore. Some have sacrificed entire days to help us set-up and clean-up in preparation for the even more difficult days that lie ahead. Some have been a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen. Some have advised. All have prayed.

God’s love on full display in each and every person.

And it’s beautiful.

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

What is the law of Christ?

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22:37-40

Thank you, Jesus, for moving these souls towards compassion. Thank you, Lord, for being a safe refuge. We know trials will come in this life as they came in yours, Jesus. You overcame so that we could too.

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

The recent tragedies in Boston and West, Texas have left many hurting and in great need. I pray that your hearts will be moved to compassion. Church, be the hands and feet of Christ. Reach out to your local Red Cross to inquire how you may lessen the burden of another.