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5-17-99

This is submitted by Steve Bliss

Soreness
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As I lay in bed this morning (Friday), I was aware of soreness. I could feel my back as I moved, trying to get comfortable. It was then I could hear God speaking the obvious to me. [What I did fail to ask him, was why He had awaken me. Was not it more so to pray for those in their time of need, than to show me that 'my' body was hurting.]?

For we are members of His body (Ephesians 5:30). Our feet are to be fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15). Paul asks, Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? (1 Corinthians 6:15).

As body parts of the whole body of Christ, we are to be subject to Him alone. We are to have the mind & heart of Christ, having Him renew our minds (Romans 12:2). If the first believers of Acts 4:32, were of one heart and mind, they were in unity with the movement of God. What of us? Are our minds set upon the things above (Colossians 3:2) or are we caught in our own agendas?

We can not let our feet move out on their own. Even in my lying down in rest, my body must be in proper alignment. If my feet wish to lie on one angle, my hips at another while my shoulders/head remain put, my back suffers.

If my back suffers pain, soon my whole body suffers the consequences. It is a consequence of dys-unity (a painful unity), because my feet had 'a mind of their own.' (Sound like anyone you know?) They share not in their proper function with the body. How much more so is the body of Christ to suffer because of it's own selfishness? In humility we are/ I am to honour one another, even above ourselves (Psalms12:10).

If I heed the directing correction God may give (even so humbling as to come from another believer), I will be honoured, we as a body will be honoured (Proverbs 13:18). My honour or pain should direct me God, to bring to Him the rightful glory.

Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord God does nothing
Unless He reveals His secret counsel
To His servants the prophets.