July 26th People Reflection

Tuesday 7/26/2005

1 Corinthians 12-The Church-Spiritual Gifts-A body isn’t a body, unless there is more than one part.

2 Kings 6.1-7.2-God uses Elisha in unusual ways to show God’s power

Jonah 1-Jonah runs from God- but God rescues him- through three days in the tomb of a fish

Acts 11.27-12.3a-Christians send relief- yet are persecuted and killed

Genesis 28.10-22-Surely the LORD is in this place—and I did not know it!

Psalm 66-But truly God has listened

"The one in the back on the pulpit side."- Words of direction- Words of clarification. You see I was in the wrong place-looking at the wrong thing- making the wrong conclusions- I was on the wrong path—Sometimes I get screwed up – but then I think about some of today’s passages—the Church – the body of Christ- a body isn’t a body unless there is more than one part—so we depend on each other- to see things that aren’t clear at first- one part of the body lends some direction- some clarification- so that another part of the body can take some action- keep things on track- going in the right direction- then other parts – like in the stories of Elisha are needed to do some of God’s fantastic work- the miracles- the display of God’s power- and what about Jonah- sent to give a message to people he didn’t want to talk to- so he runs- but God leads him back in the direction Jonah doesn’t want to go- leads him back through death to life- through the tomb of the belly of a fish- lets Jonah think about it for a few days- Christians send relief to other parts of the body because times were rough- but then we hear how they were persecuted and even executed- Jacob in the realization as he runs away from Esau- that God was in the place of his dream- maybe even the place to heaven- who knows- all these people – all these parts of the body of Christ- misdirected- in the wrong place- "The one in the back on the pulpit side." – but God gives direction – God clears it up – God sends another part of the body of Christ – the Church- to lead us back – to correct our following – and to hear our cry when we are lost—did God speak yesterday? – yea—in some directions – "The one in the back on the pulpit side."—the direction is clear now- we have some work to do.

Prayer- Lead me today Lord- show me the path to take- show me that gate- that ladder that leads to heaven- if need be throw me in the belly of a fish and let me stew about it a few days- but lead me today- lead me from death to life in the awesome way that only you know how. --- Amen