NEWS

Annual Day of Purity

February 14, 2011

The Day of Purity is a day when youth can make a public demonstration of their commitment to remain sexually pure, in mind and actions. Today's culture encourages youth to become sexually active at a young age and to experiment with sexual preferences.

Find out more at this link Day of Purity

TODAY'S DEVOTIONAL

Prayer: I am so grateful for my Christian brothers and sisters, Lord. Thank You for the blessing of each one in my life and how they have helped me grow and have encouraged me along the way. Please prick my conscience if I am hurting the Church in any way. Thank You. Amen.

Body of Christ

Scripture: For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 1Cor.12:12, 26, 27

The human body is an amazing creation. It is an incredibly complicated group of cells, systems, and organs all connected, working together to sustain our earthly life. That is until we get hurt or sick. Suddenly, the cooperating networks seem to disconnect and chaos can follow. I have had several lessons in this area in past years. Parts of my body completely derailed, even those that I had no idea would be affected by the tumor I had back then. System after system, organs and processes changed or even shut down due to the area where my tumor was growing.

Think about a disruptive student in a classroom. Everyone in the room is affected by the distraction. There may be a loss of instruction due to the time it takes you to discipline them and regain their attention. It may spur others to act out like a chain reaction, and even those who do not participate or appreciate the disruption may lose their train of thought or lose interest in the lesson.

The body of Christ, the church, can be very similar. One member’s words or actions may send shockwaves throughout the body – the whole body – not just within their circle of friends, class or church building. High profile ministers have rocked the body of believers but so have members who seemingly hold down a pew each Sunday with nothing positive to say.

Realize the strength we have together and the destruction caused when we pull apart. We are the body of Christ, serving together, connected to spread the gospel and grow the kingdom of heaven. Share with one another how the support and fellowship of your prayer group has strengthened you. How are these relationships an indicator of a healthy body?

My prayer for you this week is that you would be a healthy body, ever watchful for symptoms or problems and quick to heal any wounds that Satan may attempt to spread.

Copyright Kathy Branzell. Email kbranzell@ceai.org