Pastors and Teachers to Pursue Unity

The Lord has given to those who should be His human agents talents of means, capacity, and influence, according to their ability to employ these gifts in a wise manner for His service. He has given to every man his work. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.”

Why were these various workers appointed? “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-15).

We can see from this scripture that the Lord has His appointed workers, and that the work committed unto them has in view a definite object. Prophets, apostles, evangelists, pastors, teachers, are all to work for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Is not this object worthy of careful attention? Can we not discern that there has been neglect in some special work for the church, in that the saints have not attained the perfection that God would have them attain? Had the work of the ministry been done, the church would have been edified, and educated for the great work that devolves upon them. The truth would have been presented in such a way that the Spirit of the Lord would have moved upon hearts, and sinners would have been convicted and converted, and would have taken their position as followers of Christ.—The Review and Herald, March 7, 1893.
Ye Shall Receive Power p. 187
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Prayer Requests
—-Please be in prayer for some old family friend Kathy and her family. She was unable to contact her brother and his wife so she sent her husband to check on them and they had passed away. Police have determined it was natural causes but they had been passed for a few days so it was likely a grisly sight in the heat. Prayers for peace and comfort. Jennifer
—-Please pray for baby Wyatt who is in need of a kidney. Mary
—-Please pray for E and children. R
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Dear Friends,

Some years ago, a friend sent me an email with a link to beautiful scenes taken in a public garden. The friend commented something like “how beautiful Heaven must be.” Indeed, the beauties of that garden were spectacular, but they pale in comparison to what awaits us in that glorious land where the Great Creator of the Universe is the gardener.

Think of it! Even after 6000 years of sin, there are scenes of grandeur on this sinful, old planet that are breathtakingly beautiful. They remind us of the reward of the place our Dear Saviour is preparing for those who love Him. (John 14:1-3) As we walk beside a river whose rushing water is splashing over great rocks worn smooth by its action, we can think of the works of the Lord upon our heart, constantly bringing about circumstances to mold us into His image. When surrounded by snowcapped mountains dotted with evergreens nearly to their summit, we can meditate upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, Who veiled His glory and majesty and came to this dark and sinful world to live a life filled with all the troubles and trials the evil one could heap upon Him. As we gaze upon the colorful clouds at the close of the day, we look forward to our Heavenly Home where all is light and beauty, where “the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” Rev 21:23 Even as we marvel at our Great Creator’s handiwork, we can see signs of the enemy’s work in dead and dying flower, leaf, and animal. This makes us look forward to the time when “there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev 21:4

David exclaimed, “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.” “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” Ps 33:6-9;19:1-6;8:3-9

May we meditate upon His mighty works lifting our mind and heart up to the One Who not only created all things but is yearning to re-create us in His Image that we may dwell in His glorious land on high.

Rose