1 Corinthians 12:27, We are one body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:27

"Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually."
NKJV

Dear JoAnn,

We have all heard the expression, "there is no 'I' in teamwork" and this is even truer for the church. Like a team that has made it to the Super Bowl, we should stand united in Christ working together for one unified purpose - to proclaim the Gospel to the world. This is a lofty goal, yet it is one that our coach has called us to. Christ has given us the directive and now we must follow through, as a team.

Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." NKJV

Like a team, the church must support each player as they gain ground for the Kingdom. If one member is in pain, the rest should grieve for them then do what they can to help. If there is a big play and one person is blessed, we all rejoice with glad hearts. There is no room for selfishness or jealousy in the family of God. These things lead to bitterness, deceit, and division. Remember, this is not about us. If we think that this life is about us, then we miss out on God's amazing blessings and the team suffers. It's about our Lord and it's about others. In front of us is the field of life and the God of all creation has empowered us to gain ground for His Kingdom. It's bigger than you and I, yet God has called us to the line of scrimmage. Are you ready? This could be your finest hour.

Life Lesson: We are in Christ and a part of something bigger and more important than just ourselves.

Dear God,
Thank You for life and for inviting me to be part of this adventure with You. Thank You for the gifts You've given me. Lord, I pray that You use them for Your Kingdom. Help me to get rid of any selfishness and to put others first. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee

My Comments: You have heard it said, "There is no "I" in we!" We are the body of Christ and as one we should care for the whole and work with the whole body for the Glory of God in the righteousness of Jesus the Christ the Son of God. One with the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

He give us gifts and circumstances to use them and to share Him who loved us so much He gave up His seat in Heaven to become a man and suffer and die for our sin. The sin that seperates us from God. When we accept His sacrifice and are part of the body we have then a commission to share Him with anyone He guides us to do so and to work with the body of believers all over the world to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in whatever situation He allows us and goes with us to share it in.

Once we receive this pearl of great price we do not bury it we share it so others may become a part of the body. We do not hide our light under cover rather we shine it in a dark world so we can lead souls out of darkness into the light.

Even those in prisons know it is not just them doing the work all by themselves even if they do not see anyone for years who believes. They know the body is praying for them and that Jesus Himself and His Angels are there with them, suffering with them.

1 Peter 3:12-14 Says,  Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share in Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rest upon you.

So remember we are on body of Christ as it says in Romans 12:4/5, For as in one body we have many members and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. An because of this we must live in harmony with in the body weven when there are differences in order to bring more of the lost to God through the saving grace of Jesus for as it is written in Romans 14:11/12, "As I live, says the Lord every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." so then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block of hindrance in the way of a brother.(This particular passage had to do with eating practices between the circumsized and the uncircumcized yet it is very much to be used to remember we are one body and what we do to one part effects the rest of the body. We are commanded to love one another, share in eachothers burdens and sorrow and joy.)

I pray the Lord guides the body and the body listens and follows all that He wants us to do and that we all become more Christ like every moment of every day. May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ rest upon you and may you remember Him, His suffering and His love as you go through the things in life that come your way. may the Lord strengthen and guide you and be with you always  until the end of the age or He takes you home to be with Him. Amen