Bible Studies

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"God has arranged the parts in the body every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you!' And the head cannot say to the feet, 'I don't need you!'" -1 Corinthians 12: 18a,21 NIV.



Have you ever thought of yourself as a gift to the body of Christ, specifically God's leaders? Realize your support means that much in God's plans. A short illustration of our sometimes-wrong thinking is: The eyes of the body said sarcastically to the ears, "We can do all the seeing around here. We do not really need you. Besides, you are just an ear. You sit all the way on the side of the head. Not in front like all eyes do." The ears responded, "I guess I'm not needed. Hair hides me most of the time. I suppose God just put me here on the side and forgot about me..." 9 Does that scenario sound like someone who has lost the value of his or her unique purpose?

In referring to the illustration above, the body would be handicapped without the function of the ears. Furthermore, it is not as if the eyes can effectively serve the purpose for which the ears are created. In the same way, we must realize no one can effectively fulfill our unique purpose given by God. The Apostle Paul confirmed this to the Corinthian church saying, "Now here is what I am trying to say: All of you together are the one body of Christ and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it." If you have not already, begin to develop your support as a gift. To strengthen right perspective, you must include the points below in your thinking:

* Recognize its God's way of doing things. He has ordained the Body of Christ to
need each other.

* Determine to be a link in His chain of support. We can choose to be a strong
link or a weak link in His chain.

* Treat your support as a gift. When we offer our service as a gift, we don't expect
return favors.

* Connect with others who serve. Remember a link connects with others to become
a strong chain. We link arms with those who serve and strengthen God's system of
support for our leaders. Do not break the chain.


DAILY LIFE

Moses was a great leader who spoke the oracles of God. He served in the office of prophet and judge. God commended him as His friend and the most humble man on earth. He was assigned to one of the greatest tasks in human history, leading approximately one million Jews out of slavery. Yet, he was frail in some aspects. He was a human like us. He needed help. God assigned Aaron to help him and the chain of support began. Somehow, he and Aaron could only go so far alone. God designated Joshua to pull in close to help Moses and strengthen the chain. He appointed the seventy elders, giving them of the spirit that was on Moses. However, the chain was not complete. During battle with the Amalekites, Hur was called in concert with Aaron to help. They held up Moses' arms together. Then God assigned the priesthood of Levites to support these two and share duties in the
House of God. Finally, God called the whole congregation of Israelites to help this team of leadership and to complete the chain of support.11


QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT

1. Are you a link in God's chain of support?

2. How can you make your connection with others stronger in His system of support?

3. Is your service a gift to the Body of Christ; if not what can you do to make it so?


© Copyright 2002 Earma Broadway Brown
Excerpt from the book In the Spirit of Armorbearing: Being the Gift of Support to God's Leaders. A church "Helps" guidebook that rallies ministry volunteers, seasoned helps ministers, and support teams alike to a stronger support of God's leaders.
http://www.armorbearers.net

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