19-22 That’s plain enough, isn’t it? You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together.
(Ephesians 2:18-21, The Message)
Father God,
Jesus conveyed Your blessings
to the world [John 12:49–50]
and passed on to others
what You gave to Him.
Help us to realize that when Jesus
Ascended to heaven,
He took His body with him.
Now we are the body of Christ,
And each of us is a part of it. [1 Cor.12:27]
Move in us Holy Spirit
to build each other up,
to live in harmony. [Rom. 14:19]
Unite us
in thought
and in purpose. [1 Cor. 1:10]
Make us instruments in Your hands
to bring the blessing we pray for into
the lives of the people we know—
our families,
our friends,
our coworkers,
and our world.
Open our ears and hearts to listen,
and understand
what you are saying to the churches
SO THAT we can live in the present-future
where everyone who is victorious
will eat fruit from the tree of life
in the paradise of God. [Rev. 2:7]
Speak, Lord, your servants are listening. [1 Sam. 3:10]
Kathleen S Evenhouse 