Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
August 28, 2023
1 Corinthians 12:14-26
14 Certainly the body isn’t one part but many. 15 If the foot says, “I’m not part of the body because I’m not a hand,” does that mean it’s not part of the body? 16 If the ear says, “I’m not part of the body because I’m not an eye,” does that mean it’s not part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, what would happen to the hearing? And if the whole body were an ear, what would happen to the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God has placed each one of the parts in the body just like he wanted. 19 If all were one and the same body part, what would happen to the body? 20 But as it is, there are many parts but one body. 21 So the eye can’t say to the hand, “I don’t need you,” or in turn, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 22 Instead, the parts of the body that people think are the weakest are the most necessary. 23 The parts of the body that we think are less honorable are the ones we honor the most. The private parts of our body that aren’t presentable are the ones that are given the most dignity. 24 The parts of our body that are presentable don’t need this. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the part with less honor 25 so that there won’t be division in the body and so the parts might have mutual concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part gets the glory, all the parts celebrate with it.
Good Morning. We are one in the Spirit of the Lord!
Whenever a group is formed, one of the goals is to work like a well-oiled machine. This means that all parts are doing the job they are given, which allows everything to happen smoothly. People working together in this fashion is a thing of beauty to watch. Just like a mechanical machine needs oil or lubricant applied, people need encouraging words to continue working until the job is done.
What happens in a mechanical machine when one piece/part (even those that seem small and insignificant) slows down or speeds up on its own? The machine works ineffectively or breaks down. The same is true of a group of people. If one becomes impatient and moves ahead of the group, other parts get out of sync, and the group quits functioning effectively. Just like the mechanical machine that breaks down when the parts aren’t working together, groups of people fall apart when they lose their rhythm or focus.
Where do we find the oil or lubricant to keep the body of believers working together for a common goal of making disciples of the world? First, spend time reading Scripture, praying, and talking with God. Second, join together to worship and praise God. Third, keep our focus on Christ so we don’t lose our way. Finally, allow the Holy Spirit to move through us and among us to keep all our parts oiled and lubricated so we don’t become stiff and rigid in our ideas. From the least to the greatest, we are all of equal value in the sight of the Lord.
Loving God, We try to take control of things. Help us let go of things we do not yet understand. Thank you for loving us even when we struggle. We love you! Thank you! In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Each person is important in the body of Christ.
Don’t forget the oil! Pastor Liz
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