See the rocks that little Daniel is picking up? Even a little child can take one of these stones and throw it into the ocean –
never to be seen again.
I was reminded of a sermon Phil preached several years ago about being connected in the Body of Christ. He shared the Scripture from I Peter 2:5 – 6
5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 6 As the
Scriptures say,
“I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem,
chosen for great honor,
and anyone who trusts in him
will never be disgraced.”
Phil encouraged us to be those living stones that Peter is talking about. God is using us to build His spiritual temple. Each of us is a stone and the Holy Spirit is the mortar that cements us together. Phil went on to say how easy it is to pick up a loose stone and steal it or throw it away. Yet a stone cemented in a wall – well that is another thing!
Tremendous effort and time would be involved in taking a stone from the wall behind my parents , my brothers, and me in the picture below. That stone wall has been there a LONG time!
When we are connected in the Body of Christ we are not easy prey for the enemy to snatch away. We are also less likely to be deceived if we have brothers and sisters in the Lord whom we are close to. One of them is more likely to say – “Now wait a minute! You know that does not line up with Scripture!”
We all need people to speak truth into our lives no matter how old we are or how long we have walked with the Lord.
I had the blessing of spending the night with some dear friends last night before presenting a workshop in a town 3 hours away. We sat sharing about our lives and catching up on mutual friends. All of us knew of friends from the past who are no longer walking with the Lord. These were friends who we had fellowshipped with over the years – some who had a meaningful impact on me spiritually.
Why have they walked away from their faith and fellowship?
Some have experienced deep hurts from other Christians – so have Phil and I.
Some have faced tragedy personally and in their families – many of us have as well.
In asking the Lord about this and pondering the circumstances life throws our way, I was reminded of Phil’s sermon.
Those friends who have
- stayed in fellowship
- stayed connected to the Body
- been built IN as living stones
those individuals are still walking with the Lord despite what they have faced – and some are in the midst of the fire right now.
God does not promise us a bed of roses because we are His children. In fact we are assured that we will have trials and tribulations. God does promise He will be with us through the trials and tribulations of life.
When I am connected in the Body of Christ – those around me support and comfort me during my times of suffering. We’re cemented together.
God is our rock and our salvation….
“anyone who trusts in Him
will never be disgraced.”
Stay connected.
Our Father's Daughters 
What a great reminder! The enemy would come to divide and conquer, but together in Christ we are unified, strengthened, and restored!!
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Amen !!! God means for us to suoort one another in our walk with Him.
Blesings to you, Brandy.
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