Today’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 120-127, Exodus 5:1-6:1,1 Cor.14:20-33a&29-30,& Mark 9:42-50
Today’s Writer: Carol Mullen
Shalom: Peace be within her walls of worship
Psalm 122:1 – “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of Jehovah.”
Psalm 122:8 – “For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.”
Reading through scripture passages this Lent I can’t help but notice a theme of importance to the Lord.
SHALOM: Peace be within her walls. Unity with one another doesn’t necessarily mean uniformity, but willingness to be humble and loving with one another in worship and as worship unto the Lord. This humble, loving attitude can be displayed in many ways with one another such as being patient, listening, caring, asking forgiveness and forgiving, thanking one another and not thinking to highly of ourselves.
There are multiple ways of bringing about peace within the body of Christ as we walk in the spirit. The Church in Corinth appeared to have many varying gifts from the Lord but were challenged to use them to bring about the outcome of edification and order.
When gifts flow through vessels of peace and order the result is a wonderful spiritual unity. I don’t know a great deal about the Corinthian church; perhaps they were fairly young in the Lord. What comes to my mind is remembering Christmas morning with my very active 5 year old nephew upon opening his gifts. He plowed through the house, believing he was the center of the universe. Toys from Santa were quickly jostled and set aside in order to open the other multiple gifts, rip into them as quickly as possible and just as quickly toss them in a pile in order to continue opening.
The result was chaos, definitely not order and peace. I had to laugh and give him grace as he was young, and he wasn’t my kid. Now his parents might have told him to slow down and along the way thank the one who gave him the varying gifts. Paul being the spiritual leader in Corinth is taking on the task of instructing this excited yet chaotic group in the way of peace. All I can say is, I prefer being the laughing aunt rather than the instructing, scolding parent, so kudos to you church leaders. My prayers go out to you.
I really have to say from what I have noticed here at “Apostles Church” there is “Peace within her Walls” and I will pray for continued peace here. I can honestly proclaim as the psalmist did, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of Jehovah”, rather than, “I was mad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of Jehovah.” Peace be with you.
