The New Year has dawned with all our tomorrows in 2017 stretched before us. A clean canvas is set before us. Our unknown future is known only to our Heavenly Father and we can rest in His faithful care of us, whatever may befall.
Do I believe that God is interested in every little thing that happens to me? Matthew 10:29-31 – in these verses Jesus tells us that the very hairs on our head are numbered and known by Him. That knowledge is too wonderful for us to comprehend! He even sees every sparrow that falls to the ground. He oversees all of His creation and yet declares we are of more value to Him than many sparrows. Our Heavenly Father loves us! He does not just “put up” with us!
Last week a friend had numerous tasks to complete, one of which was to mow his lawn. After the grass cutting was completed the Lord told him to offer to mow his neighbour’s lawn. The friend answered the Lord, “I have so many other jobs to complete, why should I do his?” The Lord responded, “Would you do it for Me?” The friend was reminded of the scripture, Jesus said, Matthew 25:40 “…Inasmuch as you have done it to the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.” The friend mowed his neighbour’s lawn….happily! The ways of God are past finding out, but something was done for eternity that day. The brother “discerned the Lord’s body” in his neighbour and obeyed the Lord.
In 1 Corinthians 11:24-34, the scripture records how the Lord Jesus broke bread and drank wine at the Last Supper, teaching us how to do likewise in remembrance of Him and how He died for us. Believers still embrace this simple, yet profound, practice today, often called “Communion.” The Apostle, Paul, when writing this epistle, under the anointing of the Holy Ghost, expounded on how to prepare oneself before the Lord before partaking of the emblems of Communion:
Verses 27-31 “Whoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. For he that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks damnation to himself, NOT DISCERNING THE LORD’S BODY. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you and many die. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us: “…Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost who is in you, who you have of God, and you are not your own? For you are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body and your spirit, which are God’s.” I cannot do what I like with my life and body without serious effects. My life has been purchased with the blood of Christ. When I do as I please I place such little value on this costly treasure. I have to learn to discern the Lord’s body in me, (stewardship of my temple), and in others. My fellow brothers and sisters are the Lord’s body. I need to recognise and discern the Lord in them, no matter how they treat me. Jesus teaching is very clear: In as much as you do it to the least of these, you do it to Me. Make no mistake, right believing produces right living. Let us joyfully approach 2017, confident of our Father’s loving correction and direction. His Holy Spirit is our trustworthy Guide and Teacher. His word will be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path as we journey into His divine appointments for us.
A blessed New Year to all our readers.
