So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
"See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who trusts will never be dismayed. ..."
Isaiah 28:16
When words from the pulpit... divide... it's wise to remember... the Foundation... the Tested Stone...
Being sure... of Who is at the head of the church... prevents one from being dismayed... stricken with panic... or disturbed... as others translate...
Over the past few months... He has reminded me...
I've sensed a peace... as a pastoral change approached... sensed Him saying... it didn't matter who came... He was in charge...
So as the potentially divisive word was spoken... I was confident in the knowledge... that no mere man... is the head of the church... there is only one Head... one Authority... and He... the Son of Man... the Son of God...
And he is the head of the body, the church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in everything, he might be preeminent.
Colossians 1:18 ESV
The Lord... He sets every authority in place... there is a purpose... but it's not to divide...
In the midst of all the hard lessons lately... I see an opportunity... a challenge... for the church to grow... establish itself more fully in Him...
To no longer place hope and expectation in a preacher... when a new one arrives every three to five years... but to establish a deeper relationship with the true Head... and trust Him... with the vision and future... of His Church... and become... the Church... His Body...
I'm surprised... by the peace... the sense that this is a significant moment... for this particular part of the Body... one of those hard things to come through... like an emerging butterfly... through a chrysalis... forcing body fluid into wings... the struggle the only way for wings to be fully formed and strengthened for flight...
A struggle... with the potential for revival... greater unity... in a body that has been growing...
Pray for the community to recognize Jesus as the one true Head... and preeminent Authority...
Pray for the grace... to seek a common foundation... in Christ...
Pray for Truth... to be spoken in love...
Pray for the community... to value the growth... and know that this too shall pass...
Pray for this body... to be a good witness to the community outside the walls...
Pray Ephesians 4:2-6...
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit --- just as you were called to one hope when you were called --- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:2-6
In His name... for His glory... and the building up of His kingdom...
Amen... Amen... and... Amen...
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