9-9-20   THOUGHTS

Oh the PRECIOUS CHURCH in scripture.  We must REVERENTLY find our place in it!       WE ARE IT!  

Matt 16:18    "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
Eph 2:19-22   So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20  having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21  in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22  in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Eph 4:11-16    And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12  for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13  until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14  As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15  but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16  from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
1Pet 2:5     you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1Cor 3:9   For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
1Cor 12:27    Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.
Eph 5:25-27   Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26  so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,  27  that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
Eph 3:9-13    and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10  so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11  This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,  12  in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. 13  Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.
Acts 20:28   "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

My Prayer:
Be exalted to the highest place Oh Lord.   Help us to see the Church as the wife of your dear son.  Make us to see that we are that Church.  Keep our hearts near Father and not distant.  Teach us to think as one together, and not selfishly.  May we show your wisdom in all that we do.
In the name of Jesus                         Amen