August 22 2023 … The Body of Christ - His Church …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 235 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Bill Gaither singing … The Family of God … poignantly singing of how God’s family is Christ’s body, … His Church.     

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Highlight Passage: …  Ephesians 2:20 [NLT] … 

20 Together, we are is house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself..

… Paul teaches truth that we, who believe in the Lordship of Christ, become His family and His eternal church, with Christ as the cornerstone of HIs Temple. .                                                

                         

Highlight Passage (Context): … Ephesians 2:14-22 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul teaches about Christ being the cornerstone of His eternal church, being built by HIs Spirit to include all who have faith in Christ’s Lordship.                                                 

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Reference Passage: … Matthew 16:18 [NLT] …  

18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this Rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it..  

…  Jesus teaches Peter (and all Christians) that He will build (and is building) His eternal church,  which will prevail against all the powers of hell.        

Reference Passage: … Acts 20:28 [NLT] …  

28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—His church, purchased with His own blood —over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders..   

… Paul charges the Elders in Christ’s Church in Ephesus, as with all anointed leaders in Christ’s church, to guard themselves in their role as Shepherds in the Church. 

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 12:13 [NLT] …  

13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit..   

… Paul charges the Elders in Christ’s Church in Ephesus, as with all anointed leaders in Christ’s church, to guard themselves in their role as Shepherds in the Church.

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 1:22-23 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

…  Paul teaches fellow Christians that Christ is the Head over His Body, … The church. . 

Reference Passage: … Colossians 1:18 [NLT] …  

18 “Christ is also the head of the church, which is His body.   He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead.  So He is first in everything.   

… Paul again teaches fellow Christians that Christ is the supreme head over His body, The Church. 

                                                                                                                                         

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Patricia Rayon  … AT THIS LINK … tells of a young mother, attempting to attend a local church, which had just completed their service.   But she was gratified that the church greeter offered to take her to another church a few blocks away which had two services; and the young mother would find God’s CHURCH welcome to her family - i.e., Christ’s family (See photo).    

Oh, how I pray that all who read here with me here today, by faith in Christ’s completed work on the cross and His resurrection power, given to all who believe in Him as Lord and Savior, are well established. as Bill Gaither sing in the linked song, as part of the Family of God, … His eternal body, … His Church.   And if so, as part of Christ’s body, … brothers and sisters in Christ, ‘’’ we are doing all we can, using God’s Spirit power, to build Christ’s Body.  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for bringing me into Your Family and Your Body, Lord.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to join with our brothers and sisters in Your Body, Lord, to build Your eternal Church.       … AMEN 

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.