In Training

Good Morning!

Did you realize that, if you have been committing the daily verses to memory, you have to this point memorized 21 Bible verses in 21 days? I would guess that many of you doubted it possible to learn any one other than John 3:16. I haven’t even assigned that one yet … but I will!

Why do I think Bible memorization is important? (I am engaging in a little self-analysis – so watch out.) Why do I write a daily devotion? What purpose does it serve?

Historically, I began the Good Mornings to minister to a friend whose heart had been broken. Details aren’t important … the need of the person was what mattered. And I cannot say why I was moved to begin … mercy isn’t one of the prominent Gifts that I exhibit. All I know was a friend had a need … and God gave the words of comfort. And then it became a daily joy to share.

Actually, I personally get a lot from the sharing of thoughts each weekday morning. Doing so requires me to get up to speed on Bible study myself. So, from a selfish perspective, the Good Mornings are a benefit for me.

Some of you have shared that you look forward to the musings of this sinner made saint through the blood of Christ. I thank you for your comments and your commentary. There are occasions where the Good Morning message touches a life in need – what a blessing to know. So there is purpose. But I think the purpose of both Bible study and Bible memorization can be summed up in a portion of the letter that Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus:

Ephesians 4:11-16 (English Standard Version)
11And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds[a] and teachers,[b] 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,[c] to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Footnotes:
a. Ephesians 4:11 Or pastors
b. Ephesians 4:11 Or the shepherd-teachers
c. Ephesians 4:13 Greek to a full-grown man

To my pastor friends who read this, I recognize that this verse begins with Paul sharing the “proclamation Gifts” as it were – that is, people who are gifted by the Holy Spirit in those visible gifts within the church body. But their function is to proclaim the Word of God to accomplish these tasks:

A. to equip the saints for the work of the ministry - each believer in Christ is appointed to work in the ministry
B. for the building of the body of Christ – so that God’s called out ones will be “built up”
C. until we all attain the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God – key point is the oneness that you and I and all those who name the Name of Jesus will have in Him
D. to mature manhood, to the measure of the fullness of Christ so that we no longer be children, tossed tow and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness of deceitful schemes - so we know what we believe, why we believe and can combat the tricks of those who would pervert the Gospel for their own purposes
E. rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the Head, into Christ – I could spend a month on this … but notice that the truth is spoken in LOVE – not in condemnation.
F. From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love – the different parts are the gifts of the Spirit each of us is endowed with. Note they all have to work together properly.

Whew! Now that’s a lot for a Monday morning … but it is important that we know that each one of us is important in the building of the Body of Christ. Think about that …

Oh, by the way, can you guess what the memory PASSAGE is for today???

May your day be blessed …

Agape’


Mr. Jim

Prayer Need:
The following was passed along to me via email:
We are asking everyone to say a prayer for "Darkhorse" 3rd Battalion 5th Marines and their families. They are fighting it out in Afghanistan & they have lost 9 marines in 4 days. IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE the message spread if more could pass it on.
God Bless America and God Bless the United States Marine Corps... Semper Fi, Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever

This message was followed by the names of twelve Marines who had died in Afghanistan in the past week. I don’t feel comfortable sharing these names without permission … but God knows who they are and the grief their families are feeling today.