life to the body of christ

I have been thinking and praying about God healing our bodies both individually and bringing life to the body of Christ. It reminds me of how much we all really need each other, and I am thankful for those I love around me.

Hearts - Each part of the body is important, especially our hearts because the heart represents the centre of our thoughts, emotions, and will power. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

God has been doing a work in my heart encouraging me to let go of anxiety and old mindsets. This has been a long process of learning to trust God through all circumstances. This is when it is so good to have Christian friends who care, pray, and always point to Jesus. He is after all the source of all our hope, peace, joy, healing and provision.

Isaiah 43:18-19 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!"

Daffodils remind us of Spring and new life

We pray that our hearts will constantly belong to God and are filled with the Holy Spirit. Just as we do that individually we pray that too for the whole bride of Christ. May every Christian and part of the Church be joined with God's heart, with nothing hidden. As we learn to lean on our beloved Saviour, may we be transformed and purified

Song of Solomon 8:5 "Who is this coming up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved?"

Ears are important gates. Proverbs 4:20-27 says, "My son, attend to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart... Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

We thank God for the prophetic leaders who hear from God and share his prophetic word. They are like the ears in the Body of Christ and so we pray for protection over them, and all those with influence to help us hear what is on God's heart.

Eyes are also important gates. Matthew 6:22-23 says, "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"

We pray that we have eyes full of light that see what God desires to show us. We pray protection over the eye gates for our families and children, especially from the agenda pushed by social media and TV. We also need to pray for wisdom for what is shared in our schools and colleges.

Mouths. What we say with our mouths can release the power of life or death. This is why I am so grateful to be connected with people who pray for wisdom, blessings, life and transformation for our families, churches, leaders, communities, the nation, and the nations.

Proverbs 18:21 "Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

What about other parts of the body? My right foot, for example, has been quite painful making it difficult to walk for the past few months or so. But it is good to encourage each other as we trust God for healing, and walk so close to the Lord, our Shepherd, that He gives us confident steady feet.

Habakkuk 3:19 (Amplified) says, "The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds' feet and makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility]."

Jesus is our great physician and has made all provision our healing through the cross and the resurrection. Isaiah 53:5 "By His stripes we are healed."

Likewise, the whole body of Christ needs each part to function as one in Him (no matter how inadequate we may feel). Just as you need your big toe, it is encouraging to know that all parts, no matter the size or seeming insignificance, have a function to enable the body to fully work as it should.

1 Corinthians 12:25-26 "There should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it".

Just as we all in the body of Christ need to pray and care for each other. Then we can take our position and calling, as living sacrifices to God in unity and humility. Here are some scriptures to remind us:

Romans 12:4 "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. diversity of gifts, and mutual interdependence in love.”

1 Corinthians 12:27 "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." This passage describes the church as one body with many parts, where each member is essential and placed by God.

Romans 12:4-5 "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." This highlights that while there are many members, they form one body in Christ, and we belong to each other.

Ephesians 4:15-16 "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ." This mentions Christ as the head, from whom the whole body grows and builds itself up in love as each part works properly.

1 Corinthians 10:17 "Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf."

Colossians 3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful". This encourages unity, calling believers to live in peace as members of one body.

Unity in Diversity: Many different members (gifts, roles) but one body.

Interdependence: Members need each other and cannot function alone. Christ is the Head: Christ is the authority and source of growth.

Ephesians 2;20 "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."

Holy Spirit empowers us for life

Love and Function: The body builds itself up in love through the work of each part. We thank you Lord for what we have in our hands that can be used for your glory, we call out again for the body of Christ, your Bride to arise. We cry out again and prophesy life to the dry bones as in Ezekiel 37:9 "Prophesy to the dry bones”. Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live."' "So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet-a vast army."

This is our prayer; we command life and God's breath to come into His body, the church to arise and come to life. For Christians to hear the prophetic call, obey and love one another empowering us to grow in unity and strength. Amen