Turn Down the Oven - Glimpses of God

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~ Turn Down the Oven ~

1 Corinthians 12:18, 22-26

Just because one's comely parts have 'no need' does not mean those, whose service seems less comely, do not have purpose, too. In fact, when one's gift shines above another, that was God's doing, not ours; Psalm 100:3.
Those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are NECESSARY ... not only for reasons yet to be understood but, also, because God hath tempered the body!
When Jesus warned that forbidding others 'trying to grow in service for Him' would cause suffering (Matthew 19:14), fruit inspections were not a given option. In fact, all one has to do, to verify if Christ is the head of any church, is to check out the church's list of Prayer Requests. And no matter how long, few but the physical needs, are even named.
When one member suffers, 'the oven temperature goes up' wherein all members are made to suffer ... because the degree of being tempered has to make up for another's lack in being able to fulfill what God has called them to do.
If you are not experiencing suffering, too, you may not be part of the body of Christ at all. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 2 Corinthians 4:11 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Romans 8:17

Is not this the fast that I have chosen?
to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens,
and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Isaiah 58:6

If Christ be not risen in our heart, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 1 Corinthians 15:14
God tempered the body so there would be no schism, but that members would finally realize 'having the same care, one for another,' is not negotiable. We are to have the same care for the custodian as the preacher, the same respect for the follower as the leader, the same love for the sinner as our most cherished friend; wherein all who have a heart to serve God are welcomed.
Therefore, those members of the body 'whose service we think to be less honourable' upon these we bestow more abundant honour. And, once we do so, we will begin to discover one should not have thought more highly of themselves than they ought (Romans 12:3); for it is God who builds His church. But also, ministries will begin to flourish wherein all members will rejoice!

Not that I speak in regard to need,
for I have learned in whatever state I am,
to be content: I know how to be abased, and
I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things
I have learned both to be full and to be hungry,
both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV

~ God's Glory in the Difficult Places ~

When you come to a valley, in the course of your life,
that seems harder than you think you can bear,
You must look for the glory of God in that valley
and for the purpose that's already there.

For if, in that situation, you walk forward in faith
with your eyes fixed on what's true ~
Then the promises of God will sustain and uphold
for the circumstance that comes against you.

And if you let go of false notions and concepts
that you've held about God at the start,
Then God will have a student who is ready to listen
to the things He will speak to your heart.

If your focus is not on the "easy life" of others
but on God and what He's doing this hour,
Then you will be filled with His wisdom and knowledge
instead of bitterness that makes a heart sour.

If you look to the Savior, whom you've already trusted
as your example of what's right and wrong,
Then Jesus will remind you that suffering has a purpose
and that hardship through faith makes you strong.

If you get into God's Word you will come to realize
that the heroes of the faith held on tight
And they were used by God mightily, tested through trials,
for they walked by faith ~ not by sight.

For if you believe undoubtedly in God's sovereignty & majesty
and don't question all the methods He chooses,
Then you will be an instrument God reaches down to fill
and a vessel that He constantly uses.

© by Sheila Gosney
Used by Permission
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Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the
dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer,
even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.
Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also
may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

2 Timothy 2:8-10 NKJV

Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. Isaiah 10:4

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