As the rain and snow

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” Galatians 1:3-5

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:2

“May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” 2 Peter 1:2

Grace and peace are gifts from God freely given to His own. Grace and peace flow from God the Father and His Son Jesus, with power and great effect. Grace and peace flow from the perfect and eternal will of God, through the condescension and life blood of Jesus Christ, to deliver us from sin and guilt and secure us in eternal life. Grace and peace flow by and from God’s mercy to meet us in daily living, and unto His glory. (Galatians 1:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 2:5-8)

This divine flow courses from the heart of God to seep into into our everyday. Its source is our abiding Christ, its depth and spread deep and wide and amply sufficient. It is effective to convict and cleanse, and pleasant to enlighten, renew, and invigorate. It soothes away tears of the brokenhearted, and fills with hope.

So how do the amazing grace of God and the peace of Christ Jesus that transcends human understanding work themselves out in practical experience? Having received, been washed by, and daily nourished by the grace of God, how does it flow from us to those who are weak and untested in the faith, to those who’ve wronged us and we do not feel like forgiving? How does the peace of Christ in our hearts affect how we react to tragedy, hardship, or loss, and the atmosphere in our homes and workplaces? How does it infuse speech, interactions, deliberations, relationships, and our countenance? (John 14:27; Romans 15:1; Ephesians 4:32; Philippians 4:6-7)

“Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
’tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.” ~John Newton (1779)

Are we asking for and receiving this bounty by faith? Soaking in Scriptural promises and benedictions open wide their access, and the flow starts with the first seizing and making application to circumstance. After that, they are unstoppable.

“This is all my hope and peace: 
nothing but the blood of Jesus. 
This is all my righteousness: 
nothing but the blood of Jesus.

O precious is the flow 
that makes me white as snow; 
no other fount I know; 
nothing but the blood of Jesus.” ~Robert Lowry (1876)

Lord Jesus, may I daily dive into Your flow of grace and peace. Cause these to guard and guide my heart to meet the needs of others and to bring honor to your great name.

“Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude:

“’Whom are you like in your greatness?
    Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon,
with beautiful branches and forest shade,
    and of towering height,
    its top among the clouds.
The waters nourished it;
    the deep made it grow tall,
making its rivers flow
    around the place of its planting,
sending forth its streams
    to all the trees of the field.
So it towered high
    above all the trees of the field;
its boughs grew large
    and its branches long
    from abundant water in its shoots.
All the birds of the heavens
    made their nests in its boughs;
under its branches all the beasts of the field
    gave birth to their young,
and under its shadow
    lived all great nations.
It was beautiful in its greatness,
    in the length of its branches;
for its roots went down
    to abundant waters.
The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it,
    nor the fir trees equal its boughs;
neither were the plane trees
    like its branches;
no tree in the garden of God
    was its equal in beauty.
I made it beautiful
    in the mass of its branches,
and all the trees of Eden envied it,
    that were in the garden of God.

“’Therefore thus says the Lord: Because it towered high and set its top among the clouds, and its heart was proud of its height, I will give it into the hand of a mighty one… He shall surely deal with it as its wickedness deserves. I have cast it out.  Foreigners, the most ruthless of nations, have cut it down and left it. On the mountains and in the valleys its branches have fallen, and its boughs have been broken in the ravines of the land, and all the peoples of the earth have gone away from its shadow and left it. On its fallen trunk dwell the birds of the heavens, and on its branches are all the beasts of the field. All this is in order that no trees by the waters may grow to towering height or set their tops among the clouds, and that no trees that drink water may reach up to them in height. For they are all given over to death, to the world below,.. with those who go down to the pit.'” Ezekiel 31:2-14

The description of Egypt in her prime lifts sights and senses: abounding beauty, lushness, strength, virility. Unparalleled greatness and glory swell the soul, awaken admiration- even envy, and appear permanent, impenetrable. But ascendance also lifts high the head and nose, pride protrudes from fruitfulness, taking on an ugly life of its own. And God the Giver will not be mocked. (Psalm 86:8-10; 89:11-18; Galatians 6:7)

O, the folly of boasting, of peacocking about our greatness and beauty! Of thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought, rather than accepting humbly the great gifts God gives by grace, and exercising them accordingly in love. (Psalm 8:3-6; Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

What do we value in life? Is our boast in self or Christ, our treasure in achievement or our eternal inheritance? Any measure of success in life comes from our Lord, who become poor that we might enjoy abundant life. (Psalm 18:35; Matthew 6:19-21; John 10:10b; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 10:17)

Gracious God, keep me ever grateful for Your greatness, and never touching Your glory. (1 Corinthians 10:12)

“The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

“’Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’

“Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.’ But the Lord said to me,

“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;
for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,
and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
declares the Lord.

“Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me,

“’Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to break down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant…’

“But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them.  And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.” Jeremiah 1:4-10,17-19

It is an understatement to assume Jeremiah was not enamored with his call from God to pronounce judgment, and that with little fruit over decades. He saw only his inadequacies, but God spoke His adequacy, directing him to report dressed for duty in confidence of His ability and instruction. And provide He did. Over and over He spoke to the faithful prophet, giving clear messages and word pictures to pronounce the hard truth of judgment and call to repentance.

There is a mysterious combination in our calling and anointing from God. He who was from the beginning has known us as long, and appointed to us gifts and purpose for our day and time. He initiates the knowing and the consecration, and abides as Enabler and Deliverer. Our part is to get dressed, arise, and do His work. (Esther 4:14; Psalm 139:13-16; Acts 17:26; Romans 12:6-8)

How prepared am I for God’s assignments? Do I lollygag in meaningless occupations, filling my mind with information and images that matter nothing for eternity and rob my mind of holy space to listen to God’s voice? Am I quick to frenzy myself with trite busyness and so crowd out substantial, God-inspired efforts? How willing am I to obey exactly what He says to do, as opposed to selecting to do only what I prefer or costs me nothing? (Matthew 17:4-5)

If we avail ourselves of God’s call and guidance, He will meet every weakness with His presence and promises. He who calls is faithful to do what He says, and to supply all we need for His assigned tasks. (Philippians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Father, keep me dressed and ready, in practicality and Spirit, to go when You call, and do all You ask, for the sake of your people, kingdom, and glory.

“What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.  I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.  For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.

“According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it.”

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 3:5-10; 4:1-2

“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members,and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:3-8

In an age of independence, where in many countries we are told to make a name for ourselves, and find ourselves, the Lord’s economy has a different message. We are all fellow workers of God’s: He determines projects and assignments, and is the superintendent of every lasting work.

It is freeing and satisfying to know He appoints both work and workers. He instills gifts, He assigns our places to coordinate with needs and His design. We do not forge ahead alone, in a vacuum, or without purpose, but are very much a part of the divine architecture in His kingdom. This should excite holy compulsion to do and be our best in performing our part. (Acts 17:26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11,18,25)

We also have the benefit and joy of working alongside others. We can learn from them, we can help them. Some are easier to labor alongside than others, but all are fellow workmen through whom the Lord builds His kingdom. We can encourage and relish every contribution, and be refined by admonition and wise examples. God builds us even as we build for Him. (Ephesians 2:21-22; 1 Peter 2:5)

How heartily and thoroughly am I accomplishing what God’s gifted me to do? Is my zeal directed each day to personal ambition and endeavors, or for God’s kingdom and honor?

How intentionally am I supporting others in their work? Do my example and words build up and encourage, or stir up and criticize? (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Father, help me exercise my talents alongside fellow workers to fulfill Your assignments and honor Your name.

“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. They gave according to their means,.. and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this,.. they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us… As you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also…

“You started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it… Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you.”

“I know your readiness, of which I boast about you.., saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them…

“God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work… 

“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God… By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others.” 2 Corinthians 8:1-5,7,10b,16;9:2,8,10-11,13

There is an unbroken circle of grace, generosity, and favor that ensues when first we give ourselves to the Lord. In the scurry of needs and demands, we can skip this vital submission, even if only by unintentional neglect or in a flurry of well-intended action. But Paul reminds that our source for unselfish, Christ-like desire, the fount of human generosity, is in Him. He who gave Himself to the utmost deserves our firstfruits of surrender. We set our sights on Him and our treasure with Him, and He causes the overflow of riches and immeasurable blessing. (Matthew 6:33; Luke 6:38; John 6:11-13; Romans 8:32; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:6-8)

What wrangles for our attention? Rather than be overwhelmed by the vastness of want and requests around us, would we first offer ourselves to the Lord, and weigh in on His priorities? Yielded to Him, we’re free to relinquish self-directed pushing and open to His orchestration of purpose. He sharpens our senses to see where He wants us involved. He stirs righteous desire. He awakens generosity and opens the locked fist. He plants ideas and causes abounding fruit.

Would we learn the practice of pause? What can I set aside for the Lord to be first recipient of the morning me? How might my daily plans, activities, expenditures of time and resources change if I gave myself first to Him? How might my efforts point to His grace and bounty and bring Him thanksgiving?

Lord, may my every expenditure result from first giving of myself to Thee, so Your supply is spread and Your name praised.

“Whatever anyone else dares to boast of..—I also boast of that.  Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one..—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received… forty lashes less one… I was beaten with rods… stoned… shipwrecked;.. adrift at sea;.. in danger from rivers,.. from robbers,.. from my own people,.. from Gentiles,.. in the city,.. in the wilderness,.. at sea,.. from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.  And,.. daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.”

“I must go on boasting… to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven… into paradise… and he heard things that cannot be told… On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses… So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 11:21-28; 12:1-5,7-10

Paul was one privileged man, born and raised in a privileged Jewish family and training. His culture and education fashioned him into the man God appointed as a powerhouse in building and expanding His early church. But he had some rough edges, inborn tendencies of boasting and ego the Lord would tame as He sanctified him in His service.

Good qualities can run errant and prideful, or be honed for spiritual effectiveness. What God does in divine precision and love may cause us to chafe, but He knows what He needs to do. He applies perfect pressure in perfect measure to bring perfect results. As we mature in Him, He transforms self-driving into glad submission, and irritation into contentment. He may use difficult circumstances externally to do His inward work, which begets an eternal work that builds His kingdom and brings Him glory.

What God-given tendencies are my strongest? What unique or very specific gifts has God endowed me with that He intends to use in His body and world? What rough edges protrude and scratch that need softening or bridling to become less hostile and more effective? Are they yielded to Him, or am I trying to manage, manipulate, and move in my own will and strength? Do I tenaciously steer them my way, or most gladly spend them and be spent in the doing for Christ’s sake? (2 Corinthians 12:15)

Father, use Your righteous authority to refine and build me to be more like Thee, to exercise my natural tendencies in supernatural ways for Your purposes and honor. (2 Corinthians 13:10)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer…

“We do not want you to be unaware of the affliction we experienced in Asia. We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself... But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.  He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again... Help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-6,8-11

Suffering hits in varied shapes and sizes, and with differing force: chronic pain, sobering diagnosis, or breakdown of a lifelong ability. Agony over sinful choices of loved ones, or regret over consequences of my sin on others. Strained or broken relationships, in or out of my power to repair. In the midst, it is hard to hope beyond the quagmire of pain, confusion, or agony of loss. But a scriptural perspective helps us see beyond the suffocating immediate to a glorious God with glorious purpose for His children.

Suffering enable us to know the comfort of God that’s beyond anything the world gives, and intimacy with our Savior as we share in both His sufferings and resurrection power. Having experienced His palpable soul comfort, we can comfort others as companions in suffering through genuine listening, appropriate words, and the Holy Spirit’s tangible love. (Philippians 3:10)

God also teaches us not to rely on ourselves but on Him, a simple truth less trite than profound when we realize its broad effect. And suffering widens our scope of prayer, that many share in the bearing of burdens and the giving of praise. After all, life is all about God and His glory, and we have the privilege of manifesting it through the troubles and afflictions in our lives.

In preparation for hard places sure to come, would we seek to know the God who perfects strength in weakness? Would we take advantage of every lesson on suffering from His word and others? If we are presently in the midst, would we ask Him to give hope beyond what is pressing in at the moment? Would we look for and hold high the light that he gives in dark places of life and soul? (2 Corinthians 12:9)

What has God taught me about Himself through my suffering? Where and with whom have I been able to share empathy, comfort, and lessons learned? Are there opportunities I can take advantage of today?

Lord, let me never waste my suffering, but through it know You better. Compel me to share the bounty of Your grace, love, and comfort with others.

“By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,
    O God of our salvation,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
    and of the farthest seas;
the one who by his strength established the mountains,
    being girded with might;
who stills the roaring of the seas,
    the roaring of their waves,
    the tumult of the peoples,
so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs.
You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.

You visit the earth and water it;
you greatly enrich it;
the river of God is full of water;
you provide their grain,
for so you have prepared it.
You water its furrows abundantly,
settling its ridges,
softening it with showers,
and blessing its growth.
You crown the year with your bounty;
your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.
The pastures of the wilderness overflow,
the hills gird themselves with joy,
the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,
the valleys deck themselves with grain,
they shout and sing together for joy.” Psalm 65:5-13

“Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad.” Psalm 68:9a

Steady, soothing rain envelops the dark before dawn, tick ticking softly on leaves, tile, water, metal roof, wooden dock. Constant, punctuated occasionally by alto notes of a wind chime, a squirking frog, it falls, soaking further into a nearly saturated ground. But it’s silent there, where it soaks, taken in and down. No splash, no puddling, no run-off, only quiet absorption. Like God’s word, it may be audible in the falling, even loud in contact, but when it falls on a ready heart it often silently goes deep and does its good work giving, restoring, furthering life.

Messages from the Almighty are all around us. They twinkle in clear black skies, or arc in a prism bow. They unfold in a knowing smile of recognition or a quickening heart connection, an explosion of taste or a sudden discovered understanding. They speak from a pricked conscience, a stoked imagination, ignited creativity, a divine inspiration. And they drop like rain: awesome deeds and acts of mercy that softly shower our days with joy and enrich our lives.

O soul, are you in a drought of psyche or spirit, of health or direction? A constant drip drip of God’s word will make a difference. His river of wisdom is full for the taking, His insights settle ridges of uncertainty and rancor, and fresh mercies soothe frenzy, fear, and irritability. Steady rain of His truth revives the heart, enlightens vision, and gives joy in the most mundane of circumstances. Are we standing with eyes, mouths, hands open to receive? (Psalm 19:7-11; 81:10; Lamentations 3:22-23; James 1:5)

Are we daily in awe at the constant downpour of God’s works? Each one is worthy of it. Do we readily invite His visit to enrich our thinking and loving and giving, so we might overflow to the people around us? Does what we build, the way we travel, and all we endure, bear the mark of the abundant rain of His favor?

Lord, crown my days and years with Your gracious bounty, that I may spread joy and make You known in and through them all. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Behold, you are about to lie down with your fathers. Then this people will rise and whore after the foreign gods in the land they are entering, and they will forsake me and break my covenant that I have made with them. ¹⁷ Then my anger will be kindled against them, and I will forsake them and hide my face from them, and they will be devoured. And many evils and troubles will come upon them, so that they will say, ‘Have not these evils come because our God is not among us?..’

“’Now therefore write this song and teach it to the people of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that [it] may be a witness for me against the people of Israel… And when many evils and troubles have come upon them, this song shall confront them as a witness (for it will live unforgotten in the mouths of their offspring). For I know what they are inclined to do even today, before I have brought them into the land...’ So Moses wrote this song the same day and taught it to the people of Israel…

“The Rock, his work is perfect,
    for all his ways are justice.
A God of faithfulness and without iniquity,
    just and upright is he…
But the Lord’s portion is his people,
    Jacob his allotted heritage.

“He found him in a desert land,
    and in the howling waste of the wilderness;
he encircled him, he cared for him,
    he kept him as the apple of his eye.
Like an eagle that stirs up its nest,
    that flutters over its young,
spreading out its wings, catching them,
    bearing them on its pinions,
the Lord alone guided him,
    no foreign god was with him.
He made him ride on the high places of the land,
    and he ate the produce of the field,
and he suckled him with honey out of the rock,
    and oil out of the flinty rock…

“‘See now that I, even I, am he,
    and there is no god beside me.'” Deuteronomy 31:16-17,19,21-22a; 32:4,9-13,39a

In this poignant preparation for his pending death, God plants in His servant Moses a song to leave with the nation he’d faithfully led for forty years. Israel would soon enter the promised land, but would turn from their God who had steadfastly loved and protected them. Their ensuing troubles would be the result of their own rebellion, and the fulfillment of God’s word of warning. Their judgment would be a glorious upholding of His holy justice, not capricious anger.

It is human nature to expect God to bestow prosperity and favor no matter our spiritual aloofness, and to blame Him for difficulties and suffering. The song of Moses would remind Israel who God was, and why they’d get tangled in predicament. It’s vital for an enlightened mindset to be reminded of accountability and proper position under divine, benevolent authority.

What songs ring true in our hearts? What biblical melodies do we oft recite and share? Truth in doctrine and scripture guards and guides our minds in Christ Jesus, and is the proper lens for making choices and perceiving the world around us. It is our very life that fortifies us. (Deuteronomy 32:46-47; Philippians 4:6-8)

Father, keep me singing songs of truth all the day that remind me of Your mighty deeds and righteous character, and adorn You with the honor and praise You deserve.

“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.  For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

“Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.

“I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.

^“Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.

“Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that… has now been disclosed and… made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.” Romans 16:17-27

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

As Paul addresses the churches throughout Rome, he includes admonition, warning, encouragement, hope, and greetings from a cascade of others, communicating that both messages and individuals are helpful for the strengthening of believers. His was the part of teacher/writer, but others also had necessary, God-given roles. The fellow worker, the scribe, the hospitable host, and the city treasurer are each a part of God’s assembled and providential Body.

The Christian life is full of tests and challenges as part of the assault of the world and the believers’ sanctification. We get bumped and bruised by obstacles and obstinate nay-sayers, but we do not go it alone. God sprinkles the people of His invisible kingdom throughout His visible world, and we are here to avoid the enemy and strive forward together, encourage one another, and make an eternal difference in our specific place. It is important we accept our place in His Body, and exercise the unique qualities He’s entrusted to us for the building up of many. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

To what unique place has God called me to serve His people? Who has He given to come alongside and advise, for whom I can give thanks? And whom would He have me pray for, challenge, greet, or uphold? How well am I fulfilling my particular part to bless God’s people, and contribute to the purity, endurance, sanctification, and fortitude of His church?

Father, may I understand and do my part faithfully, specifically, and generously for the building of Your kingdom and honor of Your name.