Hello Friends,
Spring and summer time has come. Yes, we love it here in Texas. The air is fresh with the scent of our native plants blooming with sweet fragrance. And we know well that spring rains bring summer harvest of fruits and veggies. There is nothing more refreshing than the taste and smell of ripe fruit off the vine. Our God-created nature provides us with a beautiful example for seed time and harvest. And with these gifts from nature comes a wonderful description of the body of Christ (the church), and how it develops and matures.
1 Corinthians 3:8 states: “He who plants and he who waters are equal (one in aim, of the same importance and esteem.) Yet, each shall receive his own reward (wages) according to his own labor. For we are fellow workmen (joint promoters, laborers together) with and for God; you are God’s GARDEN and VINEYARD and FIELD under cultivation; you are God’s building.”
For many years my family planted a family garden, with Grandma and Grandpa Claiborne leading the way in wisdom for producing an excellent harvest. Without their knowledge of what to plant, when to plant and how to plant, we, the younger generation would not have reaped the blessings of this garden. We shared a table of blessings with four generations: my grandmother, my parents, my family, and our neighbors.
So it is likewise with the Body of Christ. Without the bravery of our founders, the wisdom of our leaders, the zeal of our young men and women and the joy of our many children, the church table would be without ripe, refreshing, nourishing fruits of the spirit.
Here at BCOC we are blessed beyond measure to have a mature and active body, people from all seasons of life which promote an active, effective, happy family of God. We share in the table of blessing from our Lord.
“For because of HIM the whole body (the church, in all it’s various parts) closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplemented, (when each part with power adapted to its need) is working properly (in all it’s functions) grows to full maturity, building itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:16 Amp.)
Living the good life in Christ…
Love to all,
Pastor Mary
P.S. Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday!