Prompted to just thank Jesus for this saint who walks the highways and byways of this life....in Jesus Name, being the Church.....and inviting those of us....who can micro-manage our lives to join in and do just that ....be the Church and minister to each other and be ministered to. Wouldn't you know that I came across this passage.... :) Oswald Chambers can say things that I have trouble reading let alone saying.... To all who are looking for God, Himself, with no agenda. "Till we all come....unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." Ephesians 4:13 "....We are not here to develop a spiritual life of our own, or to enjoy spiritual retirement; we are here so to realize Jesus Christ that the Body of Christ may be built up. Am I building up the Body of Christ, or am I looking for my own personal development only? The essential thing is my personal relationship to Jesus Christ - "That I may know Him." To fulfill God's design means entire abandonment to Him. Whenever I want things for myself, the relationship is distorted. It will be a big humiliation to realize that I have not been concerned about realizing Jesus Christ, but only about realizing what He has done for me. My goal is God Himself, not joy nor peace, Nor even blessing, but Himself, my God. Am I measuring my life by this standard or by anything less?" Now there are so many in my life who have directed me to the Life that I live, now. May we continue to build each other up and continue to just point the way ......seek Him.....and find that He is closer than we think at times........may He continue His work in us and through us ...as us ... :) and may He build His Body up through us.....as He has done thus far through the saints that I have been blessed with knowing, because of Him. Sorry .....feeling reflective today. Love you all.... |
Friday, September 15, 2006
Building up the Body
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4 comments:
I agree it is a win/win. In thinking of developing a spiritual life...that sounds off to me for some reason....He is what I want...and like Os says...That I may know Him. I see Him in the Body of Christ around me as we come together and I pray that the things I want are not for any gain of myself and that they are for the building up of the Body of Christ...may He use me....and may I be abandoned to be used by Him.
I sometimes think my relationship with Him is distorted....but then I get out of the way and He reminds me what this is truly about ... HIM! Maybe that is when many people do go into spiritual retirement, you think....gone so far...that's enough....waiting to meet my Maker...yes? DONE enough....it might not be about Him at that point eh? Amen!
Always because of Him,
From my tiny perspective and understanding, I believe He will go as far as we can (are able/permit)...but He is always leaving the door for more (He always leaves the welcome mat out).
I believe most get comfortable/retire because they are afraid. This could be for whatever reason: "I afraid he might ask something of me which I cannot give yet"; "I might be loved and I am not worthy of being loved"; "I am loosing my marbles because I walk and talk with a living 'God'" etc.
Yes and No to it is all about HIM. I believe it is more like a perfect marriage. Lamb and Bride. Let me be very bold: It is all about US! (remember we are found hidden in HIM and He in Us) The Creator loving His Creation so much that He would die for Her. A redeemed Creation that loves her Creator so much that she dies to self because of Him. I see it like a perfect cirle of union. We lavish our love on Him and He on Us...on and on it goes. It is like a relentless pounding of surf...wave upon wave rolling onto the beach...beautiful, relentless rythym it makes.
personally...all I want is to be is where He is, now and forever! We are that faithful bride of Christ.
That image is very beautiful .... thanks my friend. Oh if only...too many thoughts...we shall talk one day on this....eh?
Interesting entry my friend, I am going to post some thoughts on rebuilding myself. We must let God do the building, not us, we lay the trowel and mortar aside as the divine Lord does the work. We may not be there, however, thnk God we are not where we where before.
Mikey <>< <>< <><
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