body builders
"The elders of the Jews continued to make progress in the building." —Ezra 6:14
Jesus is still building His Church (Mt 16:18). We are the Church, and are therefore under construction. We "are living stones, built as an edifice of spirit" (1 Pt 2:5). We "form a building which rises on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the Capstone" (Eph 2:20). "In Him [we] are being built into this temple, to become a dwelling place for God in the Spirit" (Eph 2:22). We are not only the building under construction but also co-builders with the Lord (1 Cor 3:9).
What progress have we made in 2009 in building the Church? Are more people on the Rock-foundation of Jesus due to our efforts this year? Has the Lord's Church been strengthened because we have helped others grow in the Spirit? During 2009 have we built the Church both higher and wider? Is the Church more focused on the Lord with greater impact on the world? Through our life in Christ, is the kingdom coming on earth as it already is in heaven? (Mt 6:10)
Many Christians are not being built. Worse still, many are not committed to the building of God's Church. Will you obey the Lord, take on His yoke (Mt 11:29), do His thing, adopt His priorities, and build the Church?
Prayer: Jesus, may I want what You want as much as You want it. May I have Your mind (1 Cor 2:16).
Promise: "My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and act upon it." —Lk 8:21
Praise: Theresa builds up the Body of Christ by home-schooling her children and raising them as young Christian warriors to live for God.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape The Church in God's Plan on audio AV 67-3 or video V-67.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 11, 2009
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.