The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Body of Christ" for Tuesday, 14 February 2017 with Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:20-27

The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Body of Christ" for Tuesday, 14 February 2017 with Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:20 But as it is, there are indeed many parts, yet just one body. 21 So the eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you”; or the head to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be less important turn out to be all the more necessary; 23 and upon body parts which we consider less dignified we bestow greater dignity; and the parts that aren’t attractive are the ones we make as attractive as we can, 24 while our attractive parts have no need for such treatment. Indeed, God has put the body together in such a way that he gives greater dignity to the parts that lack it, 25 So that there will be no disagreements within the body, but rather all the parts will be equally concerned for all the others. 26 Thus if one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; and if one part is honored, all the parts share its happiness.
27 Now you together constitute the body of the Messiah, and individually you are parts of it.
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Paul wrote, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.[2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV)]
One evening, my wife and I were sitting in a concert hall listening to nice music. Suddenly, my cell phone rang, and I saw that it was my daughter calling. The peace in my heart was broken because she never calls me at that time. The news was worse than we ever could have expected.
“Dad, Andy has died suddenly of a heart attack.”
Andy, our son-in-law, was a wonderful man. He taught and tutored high school students. His life was a witness to his love for God.
The next day, we were on a plane to England to be with our daughter and three grandchildren. We experienced much love and great help from many friends. Andy’s students wrote wonderful things about him, and we pray they will bear the fruits of the faith they learned from him. While our time was full of mourning our loss, we experienced how great it is to be a part of the Body of Christ. We felt just how powerful the love of God is when revealed through God’s people.
The Author: Zbigniew Chojnacki (Poland)
Thought for the Day: Today I will give thanks that I am part of the Body of Christ.
Prayer: Dear God, we know you are always with us. Help us to remember the power of your love in difficult times. Amen.
Prayer focus: Teachers

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