PROTECTION OF SCATTERED MEMBERS: An Affirmation of Mercy, Love and Grace

We wind down this last week of November with devotionals centered around the theme PROTECTION OF SCATTERED MEMBERS. Enjoy what our team has developed for your spiritual edification and challenge!

Christ and His Church form one body. Christians (followers of Christ.) become members of this body by baptism – this new birth is called the washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5).  By the Spirit we are made members of Christ’s body. This body of believers of Christ become members of a spiritual community. The spirit transforms all believers into a new way of life that is to be done together. They are baptized into one body… the body of Christ, the family of God. For, God has a perfect plan for the church as well as each local congregation (I Corinthians 1:4-7, II Corinthians 8:7).

Each of God’s family members have at least one spiritual gift designed to benefit another believer. Each member needs the other members, and no member is designed to function independently. Each one is to function according to God’s will. What each offers to the body cannot be replaced along life’s paths as scattering happens. There is suffering when a believer is unwilling to function fully within the body of Christ. Unity keeps the body of Christ healthy.

Believers who then become scattered from the local congregation are unwilling to commit to being fully a functioning member. As a result, both the believer and the church lose out on the blessings God intends. Those who are disconnected from active involvement in the local church are living outside the will of God. For, God desires that we be one to another as the Father and the Son. Our spiritual gift is to edify one another. Disconnected/scattered members of the body are unable to gather together under God’s umbrella. There, however, is no perfect church but God has designed believers to best function within a local body.

When members of the body become scattered/disconnected, they lose the protection of healthy Bible teachings, need for accountability one to another, and the joy of worshipping together as a church family. (Hebrews 10:35), “do not cast away your confidence, which has great rewards.” This person needs to be reminded and reassured of God’s Word that is filled with promises to the righteous and that He will fulfill all of them. God’s banner over them is love; He will never leave them (Deuteronomy 31:8); His mercy endures forever (Psalms 136); Fear not, for I am with you (Isaiah 41:10); My unfailing love for you will not be shaken (Isaiah 54:10); You are loved (John 3:16); Trust God’s plan (Jer. 29:11); and the power of prayer change things and situations. God’s power exceeds our capability to ask or think, He is able to answer our prayer beyond our imagination (Luke 1:37).

Prayer: Lord, You provide all that we need to live a righteous life. Your Word reassures me, the best way to function within the church family and to stay connected. For Your banner over me is love. Your grace, mercy and love endure forever. In Jesus; name. Amen
Submitted by Novella D Carpenter