The Necessity of Beauty

"The greatest truths
are wronged
if not linked with
beauty,
and they win their way
most surely
and deeply
into the soul
when arrayed
in this
their natural and fit attire."
~ William Ellery Channing



The Necessity of Beauty

Jerusalem is built to be a city
where the people are united...
"May there be peace inside your walls
and prosperity in your palaces."
~ Psalms 122:3,7 (GW)

Thus says the Lord GOD to Jerusalem ... "Your fame went out among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through My splendor which I had bestowed on you."
~ Ezekiel 16:3,14 (NKJV)

Do not let your adornment be merely outward ... rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
~ 1 Peter 3:3-4 (NKJV)

Oh, Jerusalem! For three millennia, the city named "Headwaters of Peace" has proven to be anything but. Yet she remains God's jewel.

Jerusalem represents the church, Christ's bride. He sees both of them with the eyes of a Lover—adoring beauty despite the imperfections.

The Holy Spirit is the bride's valet, making her lovely for her Bridegroom. He clothes the church with the beauty of holiness—the fruit of love, joy, peace and such—to attract not only our Beloved Lord, but also to attract those people He is calling to be part of the church.

Self-righteousness is neither holy nor beautiful, and appeals to no one but itself.

If we attempt to lure converts with worldly means, the church plays a seductress who cannot sustain a meaningful relationship.

Fear might intimidate a soul to profess allegiance to Christ, but manipulation undermines trust.

Surrender to Jesus is gently compelled by truth clothed in holiness. The necessity of beauty for the church is its pure, accurate and irresistible portrayal of all He means to make of those who are His bride.

And beauty's crown is the unity exemplified by love.

Lord Jesus, how easily distracted and divided we are by worldly veneers. Please forgive us. Please open our eyes to see all You would have us be. Please draw us to the beauty of holiness found in Your Spirit's fruit. Please clothe us with such beauty, and crown us with unity.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved. #churchunity
Photo from images.google.com

Day Ten: Way (walk)

"The Twelve Days of Christ" series looks at Psalm 119's twelve Hebrew words for God’s Word, and a connection to the church for each one.

"The pleasure we feel in music
springs from the obedience which is in it."
~ Henry David Thoreau

Day Ten: Way (walk)
'orach: masc noun, "the path one walks on; the path or rank one walks in"
from 'arach: verb, "to travel, to go, to wander; sharing or agreeing"

I will meditate on Your precepts,
And contemplate Your ways.
~ Psalms 119:15 (NKJV)

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common ... continuing daily with one accord ... they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
~ Acts 2:44,46-47 (NKJV)

Two different Hebrew words for "way" appear in Psalm 119. The word 'orach puts a slight emphasis on the manner of walking, or the rank in which one walks. The verb from which it stems can mean sharing or agreeing.

There is diversity of personalities and gifts among the members of Christ's body of believers. But if we all walk in agreement, in the way of the Lord's Spirit (love, joy, peace, patient longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentle meekness, self-control), we will also walk in harmony with one another.

Each member of a choir sings different parts, accompanied by an orchestra of different pieces, without thought of rank or status, following one leader. The result is beauty no solist can attain.

We'd hardly need to evangelize if we found such accord. The beauty in such harmony could hardly be resisted by those who observe. When the church was of one accord, it was not the apostles, but the Lord Himself who "added to the church daily those who were being saved."

Lord Jesus, You taught us to pray to 'our' Father, not 'my' Father. We can accomplish nothing apart from Your Spirit, nothing apart from one another. Please lead our hearts to the same unity Your Spirit has with You and our Father. Please make our hearts of one accord with Yours.

#churchunity
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo: Sanctuary Choir, Wellshire Presbyterian Church, Denver

KISS (Keep It Simple, Sweetheart)

"You should explain your reasons to a child
as if the child had to explain them to God."
~ Robert Brault

KISS (Keep It Simple, Sweetheart)
#knowingGod

Praise [hâlelu] YHWH, all you Gentiles!
Laud Him, all you peoples!
For His love-filled kindness [chêsêd] is great toward us,
And the certain truth [emeth] of YHWH is perpetual [olam].
Hâlelu YAH!
~ Psalm 117 (author, amplified)

YHWH passed before Moses and proclaimed,
"YHWH! YHWH is mighty, compassionate,
gracious, longsuffering,
abounding in love-filled kindness and truth,
preserving love-filled kindness for thousands ..."
~ Exodus 34:6-7 (author)

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth
For your love is better than wine.
~ Song of Solomon 1:2 (NKJV)

Today's passage is Psalm 117, all two verses of the Bible's shortest chapter. Addressed to Gentiles, perhaps the author thought they'd have a short attention span—not unlike our internet generation.

Or, perhaps the author was presenting a short praise chorus to be sung repetitively, similar to what today's critics call 7-11 songs—seven words sung eleven times. But anyone around children knows that when you make truth short, simple, and say it enough times, they'll eventually get it.

If you're writing only two verses to foreigners exhorting them to praise your God, you'd better get in what's most important. This brief Psalm is reminiscent of the way the Lord describes Himself to Moses (Exodus passage above), with an emphasis on three vital characteristics:

Chêsêd is synonymous with chên (grace). It stems from a verb which means to stoop, as one in power does to demonstrate love and kindness to someone weaker. The post of one week ago examined that the Lord humbles Himself to even look upon us, let alone show us the love and kindness which seats His people in Heavenly Places.

Emeth is established truth. It stands in opposition to relativity which allows everyone to define truth as they see fit. The Lord is certain, unchanging, reliable. He does not conform to human stipulations for deity.

Olam means the vanishing point of time or distance. It does not mean infinity, but simply beyond human comprehension, or outside the boundaries of space and chronology we can ascertain—(evolutionists' attempts to define absurd theories as science be damned).

Abundance of love and kindness. Truth. Perpetual. Psalm 117 is a little kiss from the Lord.

Lord, how wonderful every verse of Your Word, like abundant kisses from You! Please enable us to treasure every word, as the loving gift You've made it.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from GettyImages.com

Fascination not Force

"Art is not what you see,
but what you make others see."
~ Edgar Degas

Fascination not Force
#knowingGod

O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
~ Psalms 63:1-2 (NKJV)

What first fascinated you about the Lord? What did you learn or see that captured your awe?

My friend Mike Ellis shared this thought: "Christianity spreads best not through force but through fascination." He then asked me, "How do you, I and other Christ followers make Christianity fascinating?"

I do not think we can make Christianity fascinating unless we make Christ Himself fascinating, because He has fascinated us.

However else the Lord captures the awe of others, He seizes my heart with no more than His presence. He draws near when I enter the place of worship, and I bow before His majesty, truth, and love.

It is then a privilege, pleasure and passion for me to even attempt to make Him fascinating to others.

Lord, Your presence is an exquisite and satisfying wonder. We need no more from You than Yourself. How glorious the day when You are ours without distraction.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to

BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Art of Riek Jonker titled "In Awe" from fineartamerica.com

He Came to Seek

Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich... And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."
~ Luke 19:1-2,5 (NKJV)

And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
~ Luke 19:9-10 (ESV)

"If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?"
~ Matthew 18:12 (NKJV)

For nearly a day I've been mulling over the circuitous route to Jerusalem Jesus took from Galilee through both Samaria and Jericho. The stop at Jericho was well out of His way, and required both a deep descent into the Jordan Valley and a return steep uphill climb to Jerusalem.

Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem took a detour through the mountains to look for lost sheep. Two were blind beggars. One was a wealthy tax collector. Though He journeyed to the cross, and had so very much of His own pain to face, The Son of Man came to seek out those last few lost sheep before He died.

Did you come straight to Jesus? Or did you travel a long and circuitous route before Jesus found you? I was seeking for so long that I rejoiced to finally stumble upon Him. All the while, He was seeking me.

I knew this already. But I smile at God's many ways to remind me of it.

Good Shepherd, some days I think I'm still wandering. We walk such a very long and circuitous route through life. How much better the journey is at Your side! Before You again return to Jerusalem, Lord, please keep calling to those last few lost sheep. Please use us to find them.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

In the Dark

Shall Your wonders be known in the dark?
And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
~ Psalms 88:12 (NKJV)

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
~ 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)

There's plenty in my past I regret. I used to ask God how He could let me sink so low. Now I thank Him that He let me sink no lower. I thank Him that He called me out of darkness—and that He leaves me with enough memory of it to have compassion for those still in the dark.

Though sin is never God's will, like everything else He can use it for good, and will use it for good in the lives of those who live Him. Those times we've spent living in the dark gives us a testimony that God reaches out to all people. We are able to be His light to those reluctant to come to God because they think they've passed the point where God cares about them.

If God can use darkness for good, how much more can He use the light? We must continually seek out His Word and Spirit and be filled with the light which drives all darkness away.

Amazing God of amazing grace, how sweet the sound and smell and taste and touch of Your light! Thank You for not leaving us in the dark. Thank You for the beauty of Your holiness. Thank You for filling us with light, that it might shine into the darkness and point to Your glory.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Keep a Cool Head

At that time a great persecution arose against the church ... As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.
~ Acts 8:1,3-4 (NKJV)

The rulers take counsel together,
Against the LORD and against His Anointed...
He who sits in the heavens shall laugh.
~ Psalms 2:2-4 (NKJV)

Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith.
~ 1 Peter 5:8-9 (MSG)

My sense of humor is warped enough to find humor in Saul's hostility toward Christianity, which advanced the Gospel into new regions as a precursor to him becoming its greatest evangelist.

The Lord laughs at efforts to thwart His purposes. Jonah simmering in the dark for three days as fish vomit before likewise succumbing to a successful preaching ministry is hilariously God, whose sovereign plan is hindered by neither human nor demon.

Despite certain defeat, the devil still foolishly attempts to frustrate God's plans. Across the globe, Christians suffer intense persecution. The Lord uses it to weed out wannabes and set His people on fire. And what waters God's Word more effectively than the blood of the martyrs?

Twisted humor is a hallmark of warriors—a means by which to keep a cool head for deadly battle.

Sovereign Lord, thank You for calling us to be citizens of the winning kingdom, subjects of the Most High King. Please give our brothers and sisters in chains (BASIC) strength and endurance in the face of persecution. Please make us fervent in faith despite lack of persecution.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy

Israel Shall be Saved

But Israel shall be saved by the LORD
With an everlasting salvation;
You shall not be ashamed or disgraced
Forever and ever.
For thus says the LORD,
"... I did not say to the seed of Jacob,
'Seek Me in vain' ...
Assemble yourselves and come;
Draw near together,
You who have escaped from the nations...
In the LORD all the descendants of Israel
Shall be justified, and shall glory."
Isaiah 45:17-20,25 (NKJV)

For I do not desire you to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel shall be saved, as it is written ... They are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Romans 11:25-26,28-29 (EMTV)

"I am the Good Shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his very life for the sheep... I have also other sheep--which do not belong to this fold. Those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice; and they shall become one flock under one Shepherd." ~ John 10:11,16 (WNT)

How has tiny Israel survived the centuries? How impossible is it for Jews to return home as a nation after nearly two millennia of exile among many nations? How did they survive every attempt to annihilate them?

God promised them everlasting salvation.

Foremost among their persecutors have been both false and misled Christians. We have condemned them as Christ-killers, when our own sins pierced Jesus. They now see our evangelists as covert assassins, attempting to destroy Judaism by conversion. And some Christians refuse to acknowledge Jews of faith, denying all faith apart from Christ.

Indeed, no one comes to the Father except through His Son Jesus. But Paul also assures that Jews of Abraham's faith are true Israel, and that all Israel shall be saved. They and we shall be one flock, with one Shepherd.

Paul calls Israel beloved, as indeed she is.

God of Abraham, thank You for making Abraham father of many nations. Thank You for giving to us, who are strangers, a share in his inheritance. Please remind Israel to love the stranger as Moses commanded. Please teach us how to love Israel, pray for her, bless her, and become one flock with her.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy

Speak Comfort

"Comfort, yes, comfort My people!" Says your God.
"Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her ...
That her iniquity is pardoned...
Prepare the way of the LORD;
Make straight in the desert
A highway for our God.
Every valley shall be exalted
And every mountain and hill brought low ...
The glory of the LORD shall be revealed."
Isaiah 40:1-5 (NKJV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NKJV)

"But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." ~ Matthew 23:11-12 (NKJV)

There is no greater comfort than receiving forgiveness of sin and laying down guilt. One may believe in God, exalt Jesus as Lord, and value righteous living. But until one feels the burden of sin, confesses it, and receives God's forgiveness, genuine comfort is not known.

Through the Gospel message comes the comfort of being made right with our Creator, and with that: faith that sees God (Hebrews 11:1), reliable hope for the future (1 Thessalonians 4:13), joy amid sorrow (John 16:22), full peace passing understanding (Philippians 4:7), and true love from which nothing can separate us (Romans 8:39). In these is genuine comfort.

If we would speak comfort based on Christ's faith, hope, love, joy, and peace, then we must be credible messengers of the Gospel. We will behave as His humble servants, and not show ourselves as exalted—unless it is to glory in the knowledge and understanding of the Lord.

Lord, Your great love compels our compassion for all the hurting people around us, their faces dark with the burdens they carry. Please make us sensitive to the voice of Your Holy Spirit, that He would speak comfort to them through us. Please let us know and understand You—reveal Your glory to us!

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy

All Nations

Then the LORD will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day ... In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, "Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance."
Isaiah 19:21,24-25 (NKJV)

"Also the sons of the foreigner
Who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him,
And to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants ...
Even them I will bring to My holy mountain,
And make them joyful in My house of prayer...
For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations."
Isaiah 56:6-7 (NKJV)

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands. ~ Revelation 7:9 (NKJV)

On Israel's southwest, fickle Egypt at various times either attacked or aided Israel. Egypt made treaty with Solomon but sheltered his enemies, and provided uneasy refuge in dire times to everyone from Abraham to Jesus.

On Israel's northeast, vicious Assyria displayed unrivaled barbarism. The prophet Jonah fled his call to tell Ninevah "repent," preferring the Assyrians' destruction. A generation later (c.722BC), Assyria destroyed northern Israel's kingdom. After another hundred years of Assyrian oppression, King Josiah (of Judah) died attempting to block alliance between Assyria and Egypt.

Unlike America's melting pot, Isaiah's segregated audience likely thought it absurd that God could ever declare Egypt and Assyria, "blessed ... My people ... one of three with Israel." But in Christ all are made new. Even now, all nations are being united by His blood, to one day stand together before His throne.

Prince of Peace, our world longs for You to bring us Your perfect peace. Please unite our hearts to one another. Please help us to put aside rivalry and jealousy, prejudice and arrogant attitudes of supremacy. Lord of the Harvest, please send laborers to the fields white for harvest.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Behind the Veil

Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him... Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour... And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (Mark 15:25,33,37-38 NKJV)

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil. (Hebrews 6:19 NKJV)

"I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore ... when I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you shall surely die!' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand... Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.' " (Ezekiel 33:7-8,11 NKJV)

Most Christians have heard that the presence of God lay behind the veil of the Most Holy Place, bringing death to the high priest who entered if not purified by blood—and that when Jesus Christ shed His blood the torn veil represented the removal of that separation from God.

But danger still dwells behind the veil. To those who have not been covered by the Lordship of Jesus Christ and His blood, one day entering the presence of God will mean eternal death for their sin. They may not plead innocent by reason of ignorance.

Those of us covered by our Lord's blood are no longer separated from God and have access to His presence—but not for ourselves only. Ezekiel was sent to the house of Israel. To whomever we each may be sent, we have a most serious responsibility to both warn of the danger and invite access to life behind the veil, lest the blood of the wicked be upon our hands.

Almighty God, access to Your holy presence is a precious privilege. Thank You for restoring Yourself to us. Please take away the flesh from our ears so we may clearly hear when You would have us share the warning and the invitation to others of Your presence behind the veil.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Fellow Servants and Brothers

"You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him." (John 4:22-23 NKJV)

Blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved. (Romans 11:26 NKJV)

They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.
(Revelation 6:10-11 NIV)

Christians and Jews have had a troubled history during the nearly two millennia of the church’s existence. Satan has done a thorough job of keeping us apart, as if he could forestall his fate. But the Gospel has now reached almost all the tribes of the world and we near the fullness of the Gentiles. Christians are increasingly embracing the Jews from whom comes Jesus Christ and our salvation, and greater numbers of Jews are accepting their Messiah Yeshua.

When Jesus spoke of us, His "other sheep," to the Jews, He said there would be one flock and one Shepherd. (John 10:16) The days of fulfillment are finally at hand. We will not enter the next age without both our fellow servants and brothers. (Luke 13:34-35)

Oh come, Emmanuel, and ransom Israel! Bring in the fullness of the Gentiles. Please, Lord, work in our hearts, that we may be united as one flock, and You may return as our visible Shepherd. Put in the mouths of all Your people, "Baruch haba bashem Adonai! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"

Comments are invited! Post here, or e-mail via profile page.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Guilty of Hypocrisy

Necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! ... Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:16,26-27 NKJV)

"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach." (Matthew 23:2-3 NIV)

Perhaps more than for any other reason, Christians are despised for our hypocrisy. We spout on about all that is good but fail to unerringly model it.

This is our destiny, to remain for now imperfect, even while God completes His work to perfect us. There’s no shame in admitting that we’re as impatient as anyone for that work to be completed. The shame lies in thinking we’ve arrived, and thinking little of anyone else, whether they’re inside or outside the lifeboat we’re blessed to occupy.

Lord, only You are good, and Your goodness is infinite. Please put Your goodness in us, that others might recognize You and give glory to You. Let us not shame Your name upon us.

"Don’t be angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be." — Thomas A. Kempis

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. © 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Perfect Only as One

Now I plead with you, brethren ... that there be no divisions among you. ... Each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
(1 Corinthians 1:10,12-13 NKJV)

"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." (John 17:20-21 NKJV)

If the church wishes to convince the world to believe that the Father sent His Son for their salvation, here’s the recipe from Jesus: be one. There is no room to say, "I’m a Baptist / Catholic / Calvinist" etc.

We are Christians. We live as ambassadors who represents our Lord, Savior and King, Jesus Christ—not a denomination or faction.

Christ will return for His bride, not brides. Jesus is one with the Father, and has prayed that we would be just as mysteriously "be made perfect in one."

Almighty Father, Beloved Bridegroom, Precious Paraclete, Your incredible union is absolutely perfect. Please make perfect Your people as one, that we may be united with You as one.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. © 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Call to Missionary Work

But when He saw the multitudes, [Jesus] was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary [harassed] and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (Matthew 9:36-38 NKJV)

The Good Shepherd longs to see His sheep feeding in green pastures, refreshed with living water, restored in soul. Missionary work isn’t always traveling abroad or evangelism at home. Part of the work is the labor of prayer that sends, enables, and upholds the missionary. It might give a greater sense of fulfillment to be a laborer reaping the harvest. But the labor for fruit includes planting, reaping, and praying.

Lord of the Harvest, thank You for bringing me into the peace of Your sheepfold. Many of Your sheep are yet harassed by sin and scattered in the world. Please open their ears to hear Your voice, eyes to see You, hearts to welcome You.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy