Daily Reading: Ephesians 3
Scripture Focus: Through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ephesians 3.10-11)
Devotional Thought: Sometimes we get into the habit of thinking of church as a building or an activity that we go to, that it is just one more place or event in our crowded lives. Or worse yet, we think of it as just one more object of our consumerism. Nothing could be further from the truth. We don’t go to church; we take the Church where we go! We are not in the Church to get; we are in the Church to give! The Church, with all its imperfect members, is the body of Christ, doing the work of Christ in the world. Jesus Christ himself had said that hell itself cannot stop the Church!
You and I are part of that Church. The church you attend - whether large or small, efficient or dysfunctional - is part of that Church!
The Apostle Paul believed the Church was an integral part of the plan of God: “Through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known.” God has a vehicle for sharing the good news of salvation: the Church. The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin and righteousness and judgment, but it is the Church that God uses to make known his plan of salvation.
Are you making known the manifold wisdom of God? Is your life a living testimony to the saving power of God? Do you share the love and hope and peace and joy of Christ wherever you go? If you think you can’t do that, you are right. But look ahead to verse 20: God is able to do it in you!
Prayer: "Do you hear them coming, brother, thronging up the steeps of light, clad in glorious shining garments, blood-washed garments, pure and white? ’Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle, washed in the blood of the Lamb!" Amen. (Ralph Hudson)
Psalm of the Day: 1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! 2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! 3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! 4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created. 6 And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. (Psalms 148:1-6)
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