12-22-2021

 Good Morning All!

      Ephesians 2:22; “In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” 

    One of the mysteries of literature is that some of the greatest stories ever written were written by men while they were in prison. Dostoevsky and Solzhenitsyn did the bulk of their writing while in prison. Even John Bunyan wrote Pilgrim’s Progress. Then there is Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. Some of the most powerful messages ever given, some of the most important classics were written while in prison.

    Some of the greatest works of literature, with all the passion and intensity, with all the hope and desire expressed so poignantly. The strength of these works makes them among the finest literature ever written.

    Some of the greatest books of the Bible were written while the writer was in jail. The apostle Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, Philemon, Titus and 1 and 2 Timothy while imprisoned in Rome. John was basically in prison on the island of Patmos when he wrote The Book of Revelation.  The thing about that that is truly amazing is that some of Paul’s most powerful words of hope are written while he was imprisoned. This adds a wondrous effect when we read some of Paul’s writing of the joy that he feels as he suffers for Christ. Remember, he did really suffer; prison was not some country club it was dark, dank, and filthy with poor food, poor water, and poorer sanitation. Yet he rejoiced, not at the situation he was currently in, but in the certainty that he was redeemed.

    All that hope and joy written while you are in prison; the later ones as he knew his execution was approaching. Yet all he had was joy and peace knowing that God was taking care of him. We should experience that same comfort and joy. For just as Paul was sue of God’s love; sure of his salvation and sure of God’s comfort and companionship has he faced his struggle and ordeal.

    We too face ordeals and struggles. Yet we can be confident that God is truly with us and that he will never abandon us. God has built you into his body, into his Church. You are not only part of it; you are an integral part of it. God uses you to build his church and you are built together, with the Spirit, and with other Christians. This is a point that we sometimes miss. A building is strong because all the parts are integrally connected to each other. Each part of the building gets strength from the support of the rest of the building.

   This is one way that God uses his Church here on earth. It is a haven and a refuge for his children. He built that church with the blood of his Son and builds up to give us a place where we can gather together to battle the trials and tribulations that exist.  It was belonging to this Church that gave Paul his strength and courage. He was built into the Church, together with all believers. While he struggled, the believers prayed for him, comforted him as best they could with the Word of God which they shared with him. It is the same for us. We may never be in a literal prison, but the devil will try to convince you that you are and should be in one. It is only by clinging to the promise that God has made to you and makes to you every day that we can withstand what the devil throws.  Trust in God’s Word to you for you are built into his dwelling by the Spirit.

Dearest Father, you encompass us with your mercy, and you do not forget us. We are always in your arms under your tender care. Give us the courage to be built together that we may all stand firm against the devil and his arrows. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret