B2B Concert of Prayer – Listen then Talk #716

Posted on November 7, 2010 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 716

“Listen then Talk”

Col 4:6 (ESV) Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
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Have you ever observed a couple or group discussion where everyone is talking at the same time? No one seems to be listening as the volume of their speech steadily increases as each attempts to be heard over the other.

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak … – James 1:19 (NIV)

A life guiding principle relative to our speech is to learn to talk to others rather than talk at them or about them.

AT – We talk at people when we use our words as weapons and hurl them at others. Talking at people seeks to shut them down and dominate them through the sheer volume and quantity of our words. It can take the form of shouting and often transitions into hurtful and malicious words carefully chosen to take advantage of known vulnerabilities in the other person. An environment where people talk at each other is a hostile and toxic environment and it destroys peace in our homes or places of work.

ABOUT – Talking about people is gossip which becomes a divisive force in a place of work, neighborhood, church or extended family. Gossip is an easy trap to fall into. God’s Word likens gossip to that of ‘choice morsels’. Be wary of gossip that is disguised as a ‘prayer chain’ in your church. Sometimes you cannot help but hear gossip. You, however, have a choice whether or not to repeat it. God’s Word says that without gossip a quarrel dies down. Be a peacemaker and don’t fuel the fire by repeating what you heard.

Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts. – Prov 26:20-28

TO – Gracious speech stems from learning the discipline of listening. Discernment and wisdom from God work through a discipline of active listening. Active listening is more than being quiet while the other speaks. It is intently listening seeking to understand what is being said rather than silently formulating your rebuttal while waiting for the other person to take a breath.

People want to be heard and acknowledged. Your next words should be a paraphrase of what you heard as a test of your understanding. Only after the other party feels you understand their point of view should you voice your own opinion. It is only then that they are receptive and open to hearing what you have to say. The same rules of paraphrase, reflect, and test for understanding now apply to the other party. This is when dialog and real communication occur and God can minister through the interchange. Imagine how much strife would be avoided in our marriages, homes, and places of work if people would listen first to others seeking to understand before seeking to be understood.

May the Lord gift you with a discerning heart and the discipline of active listening. May His peace and presence abide with you. May He bless you with gracious speech and minister through your daily interactions with others.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Moral Obligation #715

Posted on October 31, 2010 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 715

“Moral Obligation”

Josh 24:14-15 (NKJV) And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

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“God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure if we remove their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that their liberties are a gift from God.” – Thomas Jefferson, 1781

Midterm elections are held this week. Political Party lines have been drawn and defended vigorously. The media bombards us with sound bites, cleverly extracted from larger contexts in order to present the desired deceptive spin and cause people to favor one candidate over the other.

Morality has to do with the effect human actions have on ourselves, others, and society as a whole. As citizens in the greatest democracy and free country the world has ever seen, we are morally obliged to exercise our right and privilege to vote for the leaders of our country.

As Christians we should transcend traditional party lines and vote in alignment with the truth of God’s Word.

We need to pay attention to the moral issues at stake in our society. We need to be aware of the war against the foundational values embodied in our Constitution. We need to evaluate the issues in the light of God’s Biblical Values and determine which candidate, regardless of political party affiliation, is the best candidate to lead our country in a direction that continues to glorify and honor God.

God does not appreciate apathetic, lukewarm Christians who fail to exercise their God-given freedom and duty to be salt and light in this world.

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. – Rev 3:15-16 (NKJV)

Joshua drew ‘a line in the sand’ so to speak when he challenged his fellow countrymen to choose whom they will serve. He went on to establish his position with clarity, ‘As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.’

The same line in the sand is being drawn for us today. The issues to evaluate are abortion, prayer in public, the assault on the institution of marriage, and extreme financial wastefulness to name a few.

Joshua’s exhortation rings in our ears again today: ‘Choose whom you will serve…’ Pray for the wisdom and discernment from God to transcend political party lines, ignore political spin, and to shine the light of the truth of God’s Word on the issues and the candidates.

Fulfill your moral obligation and vote. May God Bless America as Americans Bless God.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Minimum #714

Posted on October 24, 2010 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 714

“Minimum”

Isaiah 43:23 (The Message) But you didn’t even do the minimum—so stingy with me, so closefisted.
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The road sign reads ‘SPEED LIMIT 70’. There is a smaller sign beneath that reads ‘MINIMUM SPEED 45’. How many of us set our cruise speed at the minimum speed? In contrast how many of us set our cruising speed beyond the maximum? Why is it then that we default to the minimum in so many other areas of our lives?

WORK – … don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. – Colossians 3:22 (The Message) Two employees walk by the wadded paper on the floor of the showroom. One ignores it – It’s not their job – and the other picks it up and puts it in the trash can even though it is not their job either. Is your ‘work cruise’ set at the minimum or do you give your best effort, going above and beyond what is required on your own initiative without being asked?

CHURCH – “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.- Luke 11:42 Do you calculate your tithe to the penny? Do you base it on your gross income or is your first offering to the government, retirement, and pre-tax benefits? Do you serve in your church using your God-given gifts and talents or do you feel you do not need to since you have paid your ‘membership dues’ (tithes)? Is your attendance and participation in your local church body part of a perceived ‘minimum set of requirements’ for being a Christian?

MARRIAGE – Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her – Eph 5:25 When courting you gave the maximum effort to win your spouse’s heart. Now that you are married do you take your spouse for granted? Has your spouse been reduced to one of your life possessions – just part of your collection of stuff? Do you put forth the minimum to maintain your marital relationship?

SERVING – What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works – James 2:14 It is by faith and faith alone that we are saved to eternal life with Jesus Christ. It is that same faith, if genuine, that activates your work done to the glory of God as you serve others in Jesus’ Name.

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. – Phil 2:4

You say that you are willing to die for your faith in Jesus Christ. The real question for you now is “Are you willing to live for Him?” Jesus gave the maximum so that we may have eternal life through faith in Him. Can He have you to the max, or are you willing to apportion only the minimum to Him?

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Revenge #713

Posted on October 18, 2010 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 713

“Revenge”

Rom 12:14-21 (NIV) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse… Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud… Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil… If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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Our world society values getting even and taking revenge. Movie and Television audiences cheer when the ‘bad guy’ gets his due by the hand of those that were victimized. Growing up as children, our parents admonished us not to start a fight, but if caught up in one, to definitely finish it. Is it any wonder then that conflict exists and that it can be found in every microcosm of society, our families, workplaces and yes, even our churches.

Revenge causes us to miss God’s grace: Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. – Heb 12:14-15 (NIV)

God’s Word of exhortation to us to live in peace and to not allow any bitter root to grow runs counter to our human nature. We miss God’s grace when we take matters into our own hands and decide to pay back wrong for wrong. The reference to ‘heaping burning coals’ on the head of our enemy is not an act of revenge as can be visualized. It’s meaning is that by treating our enemy better than they treat us, God’s Spirit of conviction can work on softening and melting their hardened heart and bring about repentance.

God’s grace, a Divine influence upon our hearts, is reflected in our lives by peace and love responses in the face of adversity and hurtful treatment by others. The key to overcome our vengeful nature and for the nature of God to manifest itself instead is prayer and continual communion with God.

…Live in peace with each other…Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; – 1 Th 5:13b-17 (NIV)

Unforgiveness and the desire for revenge bring forth the root of bitterness and it steals our joy and peace. It is the cup of poison that we drink thinking that we are hurting someone else. It makes our homes, workplaces, and churches a toxic environment that we dread to enter into. It divides us apart from relatives and breaks fellowship within the Body of Christ. Unforgiveness quenches the work of the Holy Spirit and hinders your testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It destroys individual and corporate productivity in the workplace and is a wasteful drain of energy, time and resources.

Imagine having ‘Peace that surpasses all understanding’-Phil 4:7 in the midst of persecution, torment, and unfair treatment by your enemies. It is possible – when we do not miss God’s grace.

As individuals and as leaders with authority, begin with prayer and do everything possible to not let revenge and the root of bitterness establish itself in your hearts, families, churches, or work places. Come against such evil and discord in the power and authority of Jesus’ Holy Name.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Wilderness Experience #712

Posted on October 10, 2010 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 712

“Wilderness Experience”

Hebrews 3:7 (ESV) Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness …
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If you are like me the word, ‘wilderness’ brings to mind images of vast forests and rugged terrain. Depending upon your local environment, ‘wilderness’ may conjure images of frozen tundra, the badlands of South Dakota, or vast uninhabitable desert regions. The Greek word translated as ‘wilderness’ in our reference Scripture is used in both the contexts of people and places. Relative to places it means everything just described. When used in the context of people it carries the meaning of loneliness, desertion by others, and to be deprived of protection and aid from friends and relatives.

The wilderness is seen in the Bible as a place chosen by God for testing. Moses fled Egypt and spent forty years in the wilderness before encountering God at the burning bush. The Word of God came to John the Baptist while in the wilderness and then he began his ministry. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where He was tempted by Satan.

Are you currently undergoing a wilderness experience? What does it look like? Is it unemployment with job prospects as scarce as water in a desert region? Have you been deserted by friends or lost a loved one? Does your life lack fullness and fulfillment? Have you been stripped of all that you formerly relied upon – all that you placed your security in – leaving you feeling vulnerable?

God allows our wilderness experiences as a time of testing. We are tested not so that God can find out what we will do, but rather so that we can discover and know the depths of God’s love, power, and provision for us. We are tested so that we can dig deep the well of our relationship with Him. This well is where we can draw Living Water from in future times of difficulty for ourselves and also to nourish others who need know the love of Jesus.

We are tested in our wilderness experience so that we can know what we are capable of through Christ.

I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:12

We are tested so that we can know who we are in Christ.

…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. – 2 Cor 5:17

We can choose to grumble and complain and pine for ‘the good old days’ during our wilderness experiences or we can seek a greater depth of relationship with God. If you read the books of Exodus and Numbers it is quickly evident that God is not much into grumbling so our choice should be obvious.

May you embrace every circumstance as an opportunity to grow closer to God. May you allow Him as the Master Potter to shape your character and prepare you to be His vessel of truth, love, presence and power poured out to a world that hungers and thirsts for Him.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God

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B2B Concert of Prayer – The Right Time # 711

Posted on October 4, 2010 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 711

“The Right Time”

Eccl 3:1-8
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, …
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, …

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Have you ever been the victim of a burglary? The suddenness of the realization that the sanctity of your personal space has been violated overwhelms you. The security you once felt in your home is gone. The loss of the sense of security in your own home often outweighs the value of any belongings that were stolen.

All too often, many of us implement security measures after being victimized by theft … sort of closing the barn door after the horses are out. The right time to implement security measures was clearly long before the theft occurred.

Our lives are filled with maxims and proverbs that urge us to act at the appropriate time: ‘Strike while the iron is hot’ or ‘Make hay while the sun shines’. There is a time for everything in this life and for everything there is a right time for them to be accomplished.

Is the Lord calling you to action in some area of your life? Perhaps there is a ministry He has been calling you to, yet you remain reluctant to step out in obedience and faith.

It could be a sin issue in your life, a bad habit or addiction that the Lord is calling you to let go of and yet you resist in making a change.

Perhaps He is calling you to receive His free gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ, yet you persist in your reluctance.

When the Lord first calls, that is the right time for us to respond in obedience. The right time
to say no to that alcoholic drink, drug hit, or other sin issue is at the first point of temptation.

God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. – 1 Cor 10:13

Recognize that ‘time’ is a gift and it will not always be there. Waiting for another ‘right’ time is reckless behavior. Another time may come, but not before reaping the consequences of your disobedience.

Pray for the strength to not only hear the call and conviction of God but to be able to immediately act upon it in obedience with faith and conviction. When is the right time to act? That time is now.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Impact Hours #710

Posted on September 26, 2010 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 710

“Impact Hours”

Matthew 25:34b (ESV) ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’
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Many retail establishments have what are known as ‘impact hours’. These are the times of day where there is a maximum demand for service as well as the maximum opportunity to serve others. My Dad went to be with the Lord a few days ago and as I look at his wristwatch ticking away the seconds, minutes and hours I am reminded of his ‘impact hours’ which are now represented by the dash between the dates, 1925 – 2010 which will be engraved upon his tombstone.

…the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve – Matt 20:28 We are called to be Christ-like and to take up our ‘cross’ and follow Jesus in this life. God does not want us to be self-serving and selfish during our impact hours. My Dad was a barber the majority of his life and raised six children as the sole family income provider.

The temptation of our flesh is to become weary of serving and to desire to be served and I am sure that my Dad was not immune to such feelings. Yet, time and time again I recall him packing his barber kit at the end of a long day in his barber shop and going off to the hospital or someone’s home to give a shave and a haircut to the elderly and the sick free of charge.

Following his retirement, Dad continued to serve the elderly and infirm in his neighborhood community that were in need. He administered their medication, assured that they were well fed, shuttled them to and from their doctor appointments and church services, and yes, gave haircuts.

He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; – Psalm 112:9 We leave a legacy by our example. My Dad would tell me stories of growing up during the Great Depression about how his mother and father would never turn anyone away from their door that came looking for help. They always left with a full stomach, clean shaven and with a haircut. Much is taught by what we do and how we act, more so than by what we say. My Dad learned from his father’s example and he faithfully passed the lesson on to others by his actions.

…yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. – James 4:14 The dash between the dates of our birth and death is very tiny and finite in length. Our time for impact hours is fixed. Once the opportunity is past the time cannot be recovered. However, it is never too late to make a difference with the remaining time. It is never too late to begin to serve and make an impact in the present and for the future.

…it is my eager expectation and hope…that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. – Phil 1:20
My Dad faced many challenges during his 85 years – the most recent being his battle with cancer. He faced all of them with a level of courage that others can only aspire to attain. He knew that to die was gain. He was ready to transition from this life to eternal life with Jesus.

May the Spirit of God help you to examine your own life impact hours. May you maximize your opportunity during your time to advance the kingdom of God for His glory and praise.

Dedicated in loving memory of Alcide J. Francoeur, 1925 – 2010

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B2B Concert of Prayer – The Captain #709

Posted on September 19, 2010 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 709

“The Captain”

Mat 8:18-26 (NIV) … Jesus … gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. … Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him… Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

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There are three principles we can derive from our scripture reference:

Jesus is the Captain of our boat – Jesus gave the order, the disciples followed. Notice the leadership example set by Our Lord in that He empowered his men and allowed His disciples to navigate the seas – He did not have to have His hand on the rudder. As Captain, Jesus expects obedience. He also expects that we will put our skills and abilities to work as we obey His commands.

Can you lead others in the same manner as Jesus led His disciples? Do you empower those you are in leadership over to think, act, and make full use of their skills and talents? Is Jesus Captain of your boat? Or is He a deckhand? He has empowered you to steer – do you steer along the course direction He has given or do you go your own way?

There is no fear in His presence – Notice how peaceful Jesus was even though the storm raged around Him. We all too often lose sight of the fact that Jesus is with us just as His disciples did that day. Whatever the storm is that is raging about you, look to Jesus and His example of peace. If you are fearful, check your proximity to His presence. Are you seeking His kingdom first and His righteousness or are other idols interfering with the abiding presence of God in your life? Know that He is in control and trust in Him. Take heart and be of good courage because Jesus is in the boat with you.

Don’t crowd Him out – All too often we leave Jesus on shore as we venture out on our own. There is no room for Him in our boat due to the baggage of sin issues in our life that we persist in carrying with us from place to place. We cruise along happily until the seas kick up and threaten to sink us. There is no peace to be derived from the occupants of our boat under these circumstances.

A common emergency sailing practice was to jettison excess weight overboard during severe storms in a last ditch effort to remain afloat. Through genuine repentance we cast away the dunnage of sin that we have burdened ourselves with. Be sure not to put life jackets on favorite sins, planning to pull them back into the boat once things calm down.

Are you faced with difficult circumstances? Are the stormy seas of life threatening your boat? Look and see if Jesus is in your boat. If He is not, tie weights, not life jackets, to the sin that occupies your life and throw it overboard. It is for those who love God, who obey His commands that all things work together for good – even the storms of life. Make room for Jesus in your boat, and allow Him to be Captain. Only He can save you from the storms of life and guide you safely to the other side.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Skipping Stones #708

Posted on September 12, 2010 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 708

“Skipping Stones”

Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV) But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
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Have you ever skipped stones across the surface of a lake or pond? Having selected just the ‘right’ stone shaped for your purpose you would expertly launch it across the water watching it lightly skip and bounce several times before finally sinking. As Christians, many of us are like skipping stones: shaped, chosen, launched and immersed.

SHAPED: Like good skipping stones we also are uniquely shaped and gifted by God to fulfill His purpose in this life. Our life experiences, both good and bad, have shaped our attitudes and character. God has allowed the joys and sorrows of life to shape us and prepare us for His purpose.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Rom 8:28

CHOSEN: In a memorable quotation from the movie Fiddler on The Roof, Tevye speaking to God says: “I know, I know. We are Your chosen people. But, once in a while, can’t You choose someone else?” Being chosen can sometimes be a scary thing. A pinch hitter chosen in the bottom of the ninth as a team’s last hope of winning the game feels the knot in his stomach and the tightness in his throat as he approaches the batter’s box. Likewise, the young adult chosen by draft to serve during a time of war feels a similar apprehension as they report for duty.

As you come to him, a living stone …in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. – 1Peter 2:4,5

This same spiritual house, the Body of Christ represented by your local church community of believers is a source of preparing and equipping you for what God has chosen you to do. It is also a source of encouragement as you step out in obedient faith.

And the brothers …came … to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. -Acts 28:15

LAUNCHED: Do you find yourself in a place that you really don’t want to be? Life circumstances have dictated a change. Perhaps it was a job change, a loss, demotion, or perhaps even a promotion has placed you in an unfamiliar environment. You may find yourself in another home, city, state, or perhaps another country far from home. Like a skipping stone you touch your new environment lightly and attempt to keep going. Like the Israelites during the Exodus, your desire is to ‘return to Egypt’ – to your former familiar context even though it was harsh and miserable.

IMMERSED: In obedience to God’s call on our life, we learn to be content in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in. (Phil 4:11) We need to ‘grow where we are planted’. We need to carry the light of the Lord’s presence into our new environment. We need to pray and seek the welfare of our new location and through its blessing of God we will be blessed.

Pray for the courage to step out in faith, totally abandoned to God’s purpose and will. Don’t touch your new environment lightly but rather immerse yourself in the abiding presence of God and carry His light and blessing to everyone around you.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Promote Healing #707

Posted on September 5, 2010 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 707

“ Promote Healing”

Isaiah 53: 5 (ESV) But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.
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I banged my thumb at work and took a large chunk of skin off of the knuckle. Over the next few weeks as I dressed the wound each day, I marveled at the way God has designed our bodies to recover from their wounds and heal. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. – Psalm 139:14

As I reflected on our bodies’ ability to heal from wounds, the Lord spoke to my heart about the wounds suffered in His body – the church. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. – 1 Cor 12:27

As Christians, we remain imperfect beings in this world and we will on occasion hurt other people whether at work, in our families and neighborhoods and yes, even others in the church body. The Body of Christ, like our human bodies can be wounded. Medical science teaches us that in order to promote healing in our physical bodies we must have a proper diet, avoid prolonged pressure at the wound site, and to bathe the wound. Is such advice equally applicable to the spiritual Body of Christ in promoting healing?

Diet – Our physical bodies require a diet rich in protein and essential vitamins to promote healing. We need a spiritual diet rich in God’s Word to promote healing in the church body. Jesus is the living Word of God and it is essential that we remain in communion with Him for wounds to be healed. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. – John 6:55

Avoid Pressure – A festering sore will not heal if it is under prolonged pressure and chafing. Within the church body of believers, gossip only serves to chafe and delay healing. The taking of sides by others only serves to apply pressure to the wounded party or parties and further prevent healing.

Bathe the Wound – A warm, gentle sitz bath cleanses the wound and promotes healing. Likewise, wounds suffered in the church body should be bathed with the water of the Word of God in prayer.

… if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. – Gal 6:1

Imagine that the only recourse to my wounded thumb was for its amputation. This sounds ridiculous, yet it seems that far too often that is the recourse of choice within the local church body. Sadly, it has been said that the Christian church is the only ‘army’ that shoots its own wounded. We quench the presence of God by our pridefulness and intentional failure to forgive or seek forgiveness. People harbor unforgiveness and wonder why their prayers about the situation are not heard. The continual pressure applied when the root of bitterness is allowed to take hold only serves to effectively ‘amputate’ the ‘limb’ from the local church body.

As Christians we are sanctified, set apart, and called to be different from the world. If you have been wounded or are an involved party in your church body’s woundedness, can you rise up in spiritual maturity by the power of God’s Holy Spirit and promote healing?

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God

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