This Week In The Word

By Pastor Mark Bouffard

February 20 - February 25, 2012

We started the new year with an emphasis on personal Bible reading, and that has progressed to the importance of prayer (both personal and corporate), the influence of the Holy Spirit, and now, participation in the body of Christ. In writing about the purpose of body of Christ (the church) to the various churches of the first century, the New Testament writers make reference to the church’s calling. Most notable are Ephesians 4:1 (I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received),Colosians 3:15 (Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace), 1 Thessalonians 2:12 (encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory), 1 Thessalonians 4:7 (For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life), 2 Thessalonians 1:11 (we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling), 2 Timothy 1:9 (He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace), Hebrews 3:1 (Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest),2 Peter 1:10 (Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble).

Our emphasis in the new year has progressed to the point where it can be expressed in the following words of encouragement:

“Each day as you read the Bible and let it shape your prayer, surrender more fully to the influence of the Holy Spirit and live out your calling in the body of Christ.”

Each one of us can personalize this statement like this:

“Today as I read my Bible and let it shape my prayer, I want to surrender more fully to the influence of the Holy Spirit and live out my calling in the body of Christ.”

A couple of key verses for each element of the statement might include:

“Today (Hebrews 4:6-11; Psalm 5:1-3) as I read my Bible (Hebrews 4:12,13; 2 Timothy 3:16,17) and let it shape my prayer (Hebrews 4:14-16; Romans 8:26), I want to surrender more fully to the influence of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 5:13-26) and live out my calling in the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 2:11-13).”

This Week in the WORD - Day by Day

This week’s readings talk about living out our calling as the church, the body of Christ.

Monday: Ephesians 1:3-23 Audio

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,

may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (verse 17)

Tuesday: Ephesians 4:1-32

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. (verse 15)

Wednesday: Romans 12:1-21 Audio

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself

with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. (verse 3)

Thursday: Colossians 3:1-15 Audio

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all

wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (verse 16)

Friday: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 Audio

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (verses 10,11)

Saturday: Hebrews 10:15-25 Audio

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting

together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (verses 24,25)