Caring for the Body
Today I spoke with a good friend. She had invited me to a writing group in Kona and has since published two books. She is working on her third and it is a book about chronic pain, a reality she lives with every day. I thought about her while cooking dinner tonight and the Lord brought up a conversation I heard this week on illness. “It’s not God’s will” was the answer a man gave the ailing woman he was about to pray for. I could still see the woman standing there, having often been prayed for over the last 20 years of her life. And then many scriptures came into my mind. “Remember those in chains . . . weep with those who weep . . . care for the less honorable parts . . . be kind to the sojourners and remember that you also were once a sojourner . . .look after orphans and widows “ came the thoughts. Finally the Lord spoke to my heart, “Why does the body judge its members for being weak, ill, poverty-stricken, or homeless?” I thought again about my friend with chronic pain and how many times she had been prayed for. And yet she was not yet healed. There may have been some who said she did not have the faith for healing, and at times she was thought to be a burden. I could feel sadness creeping in with the next words to the Church.
“I gave you the body to love, honor and nurture. If you had compassion you would care for the un-lovely ones. You would weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. No one would say “Go, be warmed and filled” without first having given those things needed by their brother. None would despise the misfortune that some fall into, but all would help the disabled and misfortunate. Certainly no one would judge those who are ill as having little faith; you would serve them instead.
How can Man speak on My behalf and say “God doesn’t want it to be so; illness, misfortune, all calamity is not of God” and yet ignore My Son’s deep pervasive compassion while on the earth. He is coming to reward men for what they have done in the Body.
If Man wants to serve Me only in the big things he will miss Me altogether. Didn’t I say “In so much as you have done this to the least of these, you have done it to Me”? I appear as the least, and as needy. I am sending sick, weak, needy people to you to make you whole as a body. My desire is to reward you. That is always My desire. Care for each member of the body as if you are that member of the body. Then you will have cared for Me. Be offended at the needy in your life and you will not recognize Me. Compassion sees the need.” Amen
Monday, October 20, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
answered prayer
Have you ever wondered about prayer? Sometimes we don’t see the answer to our petitions, and discouragement steps in. At other times we clearly see God’s hand in our lives, fulfilling the very thing we asked Him to do. I want to tell you about a spider, and an answered prayer.
When my husband Dave and I moved into our new home we had a bit of house cleaning to do. The first week I had awoken one morning with a large itching red mark on my leg; a spider bite. The next morning I awoke with another. So I prayed to be rid of the spider. Several weeks later I was working in my office and noticed a large ugly wolf spider on my window. Not being able to locate a fly swatter, I hit it with a dust cloth. Somewhere in my office I heard a small “thud”, but couldn’t find the spider. I looked for a while, but finally prayed a final prayer that the Lord would get rid of the spider.
It has been a few months since I saw the spider on my window and my lame attempt to get rid of it. This week I was looking through my book of lessons in my office. Turning to one in the back of the heavy book I found a completely flattened wolf spider between the pages. The Lord said “Just like that. Sometimes I answer prayers just like that.” Though I hadn’t seen His answer, I must have had a small part in the demise of the spider, closing the book at just the right time. I was amazed.
I have been praying lately to see God’s hand at work, and He chose to show me that He had answered my prayer about the spider. We don’t always see results when we pray, but He is working none the less. We can depend on God’s faithfulness, and His great love of us. He always listens when we pray. Amen
When my husband Dave and I moved into our new home we had a bit of house cleaning to do. The first week I had awoken one morning with a large itching red mark on my leg; a spider bite. The next morning I awoke with another. So I prayed to be rid of the spider. Several weeks later I was working in my office and noticed a large ugly wolf spider on my window. Not being able to locate a fly swatter, I hit it with a dust cloth. Somewhere in my office I heard a small “thud”, but couldn’t find the spider. I looked for a while, but finally prayed a final prayer that the Lord would get rid of the spider.
It has been a few months since I saw the spider on my window and my lame attempt to get rid of it. This week I was looking through my book of lessons in my office. Turning to one in the back of the heavy book I found a completely flattened wolf spider between the pages. The Lord said “Just like that. Sometimes I answer prayers just like that.” Though I hadn’t seen His answer, I must have had a small part in the demise of the spider, closing the book at just the right time. I was amazed.
I have been praying lately to see God’s hand at work, and He chose to show me that He had answered my prayer about the spider. We don’t always see results when we pray, but He is working none the less. We can depend on God’s faithfulness, and His great love of us. He always listens when we pray. Amen
Thursday, October 16, 2008
dogs
Yesterday morning I awoke with the following dream, which greatly disturbed me. Dave and I have prayed to verify its meaning, and I am convinced this is a sound of the trumpet for a coming battle. Our prayer is for all the believers to be in love with our Lord, and equipped for what is coming. Most important; that we hear and follow Him whom we love. Amen.
Dream 10-15-08
I was with Dave and others. We were driving up a road, and the person talking to me (in the car) mentioned the weather. She said it was nice that I had a view of what was coming. I said “Yes, we can always see down below us when the clouds and storms are forming. It was the same way in Kona, where our house was situated.” As we drove I looked at area below us which we had passed. Down below was a river with 2 large trees washing down it. I thought that the stream must have been pretty strong to uproot the trees and carry them down stream. They were going in the same direction as we were.
Then we were outside on the side of hills that looked like Rural Santa Rosa. A man was talking to some very domestic dogs, and they were curled up on the ground around him. As he talked, wild vicious dogs raced up to them and began chewing on the tame dogs. Yet the man talked as if nothing were happening, and it seemed like the wild dogs belonged to him.
While I watched the dog attack the person talking to me again remarked about where I lived and the view I had of the upcoming weather. I agreed and said “Yes, I live high enough to see what’s coming.”
Interpretation
2 trees – Christian men of great influence (see examples of Nebuchadnezzar and the parable of the mustard seed). They have fallen
River – force of life and the world.
Traveling in a car – passage of time. Since we passed the trees down below us this shows that these men’s ministries were in the past
View – seeing spiritually. Being up high gives a better spiritual view (prophetic) and being on high ground is strategically better during battle
Weather – climate of the spiritual, or of the unseen
Hills – this area, around Santa Rosa/Sonoma County
Man talking to dogs – current day minister. He seemed to be preaching/teaching
Domestic dogs – can learn to serve and obey. Need an earthly master. Do not have intimacy/know Jesus personally, as sheep do.
Vicious dogs – destroy, like wolves
Word – This is the age of the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. But there is a spirit in Man that wants to subjugate My flock and make them into obedient servants. They will never become a body under My head. Worse, they will never be equipped to withstand the evil that comes upon them. For these men keep their obedient servants close to themselves by promising them peace and safety in a time of great fear and insecurity, when there is no peace and safety. It is a time when those of the same flock will bite and devour each other. These men speak empty words and will see only the devourers remain.
The two trees were faithful men who served Me well but fell in the course of their ministries here. The consequences of their fall were that later the Church of Santa Rosa was left without true pastors who had a heart for what I was doing. Many came to put the pieces together but did not have the full vision of what I was about, what My work here was. A pastor has to lead the sheep, not teach them obedience to himself. A pastor has to find food for the sheep, not leave them to find their own food. So time has passed with sheep wandering, some being fed and some becoming obedient dogs. Those who seek to obey men are no longer hungry for good food. They do not recognize clear fresh water. But they are ever tied to the words of men, serving famous ministers and trying to emulate them.
Without the Church becoming a body there are no ears to warn of coming danger and no eyes to discern the difference between he who serves Me and he who does not; between he who is holy and he who is not. But I said that this would be given to the Church, to those who honored My name (see Malachi 3:18). I am coming in the Spirit of Prophecy to restore the Church back to being a body. Those who are still hungry will cling to Me, but I will lose those who prefer to follow men. They are the foolish ones who come late, having not had oil in their lamps. It takes time to get oil. I have given the Church several years with the teaching of “The Father-Heart of God” and of “Bridal Intimacy”. Those whose hearts have grown warm will enter into the feast, and those who were offended at Me will not. I am coming to celebrate with those who love Me, who feed my sheep and warn of danger, who care about those I care about. Amen.
Dream 10-15-08
I was with Dave and others. We were driving up a road, and the person talking to me (in the car) mentioned the weather. She said it was nice that I had a view of what was coming. I said “Yes, we can always see down below us when the clouds and storms are forming. It was the same way in Kona, where our house was situated.” As we drove I looked at area below us which we had passed. Down below was a river with 2 large trees washing down it. I thought that the stream must have been pretty strong to uproot the trees and carry them down stream. They were going in the same direction as we were.
Then we were outside on the side of hills that looked like Rural Santa Rosa. A man was talking to some very domestic dogs, and they were curled up on the ground around him. As he talked, wild vicious dogs raced up to them and began chewing on the tame dogs. Yet the man talked as if nothing were happening, and it seemed like the wild dogs belonged to him.
While I watched the dog attack the person talking to me again remarked about where I lived and the view I had of the upcoming weather. I agreed and said “Yes, I live high enough to see what’s coming.”
Interpretation
2 trees – Christian men of great influence (see examples of Nebuchadnezzar and the parable of the mustard seed). They have fallen
River – force of life and the world.
Traveling in a car – passage of time. Since we passed the trees down below us this shows that these men’s ministries were in the past
View – seeing spiritually. Being up high gives a better spiritual view (prophetic) and being on high ground is strategically better during battle
Weather – climate of the spiritual, or of the unseen
Hills – this area, around Santa Rosa/Sonoma County
Man talking to dogs – current day minister. He seemed to be preaching/teaching
Domestic dogs – can learn to serve and obey. Need an earthly master. Do not have intimacy/know Jesus personally, as sheep do.
Vicious dogs – destroy, like wolves
Word – This is the age of the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. But there is a spirit in Man that wants to subjugate My flock and make them into obedient servants. They will never become a body under My head. Worse, they will never be equipped to withstand the evil that comes upon them. For these men keep their obedient servants close to themselves by promising them peace and safety in a time of great fear and insecurity, when there is no peace and safety. It is a time when those of the same flock will bite and devour each other. These men speak empty words and will see only the devourers remain.
The two trees were faithful men who served Me well but fell in the course of their ministries here. The consequences of their fall were that later the Church of Santa Rosa was left without true pastors who had a heart for what I was doing. Many came to put the pieces together but did not have the full vision of what I was about, what My work here was. A pastor has to lead the sheep, not teach them obedience to himself. A pastor has to find food for the sheep, not leave them to find their own food. So time has passed with sheep wandering, some being fed and some becoming obedient dogs. Those who seek to obey men are no longer hungry for good food. They do not recognize clear fresh water. But they are ever tied to the words of men, serving famous ministers and trying to emulate them.
Without the Church becoming a body there are no ears to warn of coming danger and no eyes to discern the difference between he who serves Me and he who does not; between he who is holy and he who is not. But I said that this would be given to the Church, to those who honored My name (see Malachi 3:18). I am coming in the Spirit of Prophecy to restore the Church back to being a body. Those who are still hungry will cling to Me, but I will lose those who prefer to follow men. They are the foolish ones who come late, having not had oil in their lamps. It takes time to get oil. I have given the Church several years with the teaching of “The Father-Heart of God” and of “Bridal Intimacy”. Those whose hearts have grown warm will enter into the feast, and those who were offended at Me will not. I am coming to celebrate with those who love Me, who feed my sheep and warn of danger, who care about those I care about. Amen.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Noticing the Little Things
Noticing the Little Things
10-14-08
Today at work I thought of my husband, as many times I do. “I love him” I said in my heart, and a smile came across my face. “It’s been 16 years and I’m not tired of him,” I realized. I found myself wondering then, what keeps love alive. I went back to working and forgot about my thoughts.
When I went home that afternoon I remembered something totally unrelated. A blue can of paint. My niece had given it to us just when I needed to paint the room my husband Dave had put a new window in. The room was blue, and the room she had painted in her house was also blue. The remarkable thing was that this can had the same color of blue as our room. It was a perfect match. I had seen this can of paint as a blessing from the Lord and treasured the memory.
“You notice the little things” the Lord broke in my thoughts. “That’s what keeps love alive.” Love between men and women, and love between us and our God becomes more exciting when we notice the little things done for us. They are thoughts in action.
The Lord then reminded me of times when Dave and I were excited at what the Lord was doing in our lives, and our expectations for Him to do greater things grew. In fact, we thought the little things were meant to be stepping stones for our faith, and that bigger things were a natural progression for us. But as time went on, we began to lose appreciation for the things God did, because they were not enough. Trials and great afflictions came into our lives and we wondered where the big things were. Yet God came through always and never let us fail in all that He asked us to do.
The Lord then brought to my mind the account of Jerusalem portrayed as a child He had found in an open field (see Ez 16). He had washed and cherished her, then entered into a covenant with her, giving her fine linen and jewels. And she became beautiful. Yet it wasn’t enough for her, and she prostituted herself with the other nations. This prophecy was an allegory of how God was not enough for His own people, in their eyes. They wanted more. They wanted a bigger prize and were not thankful for all He had done for them, nor the great destiny He had called them into. They had forgotten . . . forgotten the wonderful God who had loved them.
Many marriages fail because people “fall out of love” with each other. What used to be appreciated and treasured becomes “not enough.” This happens in our relationship with God also. If we want God to do bigger things than He has done before we lose our appreciation of Him in the face of our demands for His performance. This would take the zip out of any relationship! Thankfulness, appreciation, noticing the little things . . . that’s what keeps love alive. Our marriages, and our walk with God will always be exciting when we notice the little things and do not count them as such. A little thing from the hand of God is a great thing in the heart of a man who loves him. Amen.
10-14-08
Today at work I thought of my husband, as many times I do. “I love him” I said in my heart, and a smile came across my face. “It’s been 16 years and I’m not tired of him,” I realized. I found myself wondering then, what keeps love alive. I went back to working and forgot about my thoughts.
When I went home that afternoon I remembered something totally unrelated. A blue can of paint. My niece had given it to us just when I needed to paint the room my husband Dave had put a new window in. The room was blue, and the room she had painted in her house was also blue. The remarkable thing was that this can had the same color of blue as our room. It was a perfect match. I had seen this can of paint as a blessing from the Lord and treasured the memory.
“You notice the little things” the Lord broke in my thoughts. “That’s what keeps love alive.” Love between men and women, and love between us and our God becomes more exciting when we notice the little things done for us. They are thoughts in action.
The Lord then reminded me of times when Dave and I were excited at what the Lord was doing in our lives, and our expectations for Him to do greater things grew. In fact, we thought the little things were meant to be stepping stones for our faith, and that bigger things were a natural progression for us. But as time went on, we began to lose appreciation for the things God did, because they were not enough. Trials and great afflictions came into our lives and we wondered where the big things were. Yet God came through always and never let us fail in all that He asked us to do.
The Lord then brought to my mind the account of Jerusalem portrayed as a child He had found in an open field (see Ez 16). He had washed and cherished her, then entered into a covenant with her, giving her fine linen and jewels. And she became beautiful. Yet it wasn’t enough for her, and she prostituted herself with the other nations. This prophecy was an allegory of how God was not enough for His own people, in their eyes. They wanted more. They wanted a bigger prize and were not thankful for all He had done for them, nor the great destiny He had called them into. They had forgotten . . . forgotten the wonderful God who had loved them.
Many marriages fail because people “fall out of love” with each other. What used to be appreciated and treasured becomes “not enough.” This happens in our relationship with God also. If we want God to do bigger things than He has done before we lose our appreciation of Him in the face of our demands for His performance. This would take the zip out of any relationship! Thankfulness, appreciation, noticing the little things . . . that’s what keeps love alive. Our marriages, and our walk with God will always be exciting when we notice the little things and do not count them as such. A little thing from the hand of God is a great thing in the heart of a man who loves him. Amen.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Slaves and Rulers
Slaves & Rulers
10-11-08
This morning I was washing dishes after just having put together a Sunday School lesson. There were a lot of things I was trying to accomplish and it was all running through my head. I wished I had a servant to wash my dishes so I could be free to accomplish what I felt was more important. Then I thought “Why does it seem like I’m a slave in the kingdom I’m supposed to rule in?” and wondered if I was trying to do too much. I felt the Lord draw near, and it was too late to swallow down my thoughts about being like a slave. But God is kind, and He knows the thoughts we think. I heard a very still, small voice inside saying, “Pray for laborers for the harvest.” (Lk 10:2). My thoughts left the dishes and I wondered if the Lord was shifting my focus to preaching the gospel. But the He broadened my understanding, as He does sometimes without even a word, and let me know that all the labor we do is part of His kingdom’s work.
He began again with “You are not meant to do it alone. Remember the parable about the laborers in the vineyard? There were some who were not hired by those working in the field (Mt 20:6-7). But I needed those who were waiting to do the work, so I sent them to My field. There is much work to do yet those working did not see they need others to help. When a laborer thinks he can do everything himself he is displaying an independent spirit.
A man with an independent spirit will not be knit together with others. If men would be knit together into a body they would serve one another. Not only would they each have time to rule but they would cause others to rule also. Remember that those who labored in the Word separated themselves from those who waited on tables. Pray for table-waiters when you are laboring in the word . . . and wait on tables yourself when you are not laboring in the Word.”
Do we pray for people to come and wash our dishes for us? I think it is better to pray for laborers to come. I look forward to serving them, and being served also, so that we are knit together in God’s purposes. Then all the work will be done. Amen.
10-11-08
This morning I was washing dishes after just having put together a Sunday School lesson. There were a lot of things I was trying to accomplish and it was all running through my head. I wished I had a servant to wash my dishes so I could be free to accomplish what I felt was more important. Then I thought “Why does it seem like I’m a slave in the kingdom I’m supposed to rule in?” and wondered if I was trying to do too much. I felt the Lord draw near, and it was too late to swallow down my thoughts about being like a slave. But God is kind, and He knows the thoughts we think. I heard a very still, small voice inside saying, “Pray for laborers for the harvest.” (Lk 10:2). My thoughts left the dishes and I wondered if the Lord was shifting my focus to preaching the gospel. But the He broadened my understanding, as He does sometimes without even a word, and let me know that all the labor we do is part of His kingdom’s work.
He began again with “You are not meant to do it alone. Remember the parable about the laborers in the vineyard? There were some who were not hired by those working in the field (Mt 20:6-7). But I needed those who were waiting to do the work, so I sent them to My field. There is much work to do yet those working did not see they need others to help. When a laborer thinks he can do everything himself he is displaying an independent spirit.
A man with an independent spirit will not be knit together with others. If men would be knit together into a body they would serve one another. Not only would they each have time to rule but they would cause others to rule also. Remember that those who labored in the Word separated themselves from those who waited on tables. Pray for table-waiters when you are laboring in the word . . . and wait on tables yourself when you are not laboring in the Word.”
Do we pray for people to come and wash our dishes for us? I think it is better to pray for laborers to come. I look forward to serving them, and being served also, so that we are knit together in God’s purposes. Then all the work will be done. Amen.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
The body of Christ
Today the Lord reminded me of a lesson which I have thought too long to post here. It is about the body of Christ, and I feel it is timely that I post it. There is a movement in the churches to put everyone on "the same page" and it undermines the work of the Holy Spirit to develop us each into our own part of the "body". This lesson is almost 13 pages in length, but it illustrates God's design for His Church. If it is too long for you to read in one sitting, please print it out and read it as you have time. Thank you.
We think of the Church of Christ as a Bride. He called us His Bride in Rev. 21:2 & 9. Another name He calls us is His body (see 1 Corinthians 12). The body of Christ congregates in Churches, and is His Church. In Eph 1:23 it is made clear that the church is Jesus’ body. The term “bride” indicates intimacy, and oneness. The term “body” indicates function and action. In studying the ministry of the church, intimacy would be ministry to the Lord, and function or service would be ministry to men.
How does the body of Christ function in a ministry, or perform body ministry? In Ephesians 4:15-16 it is said that the Lord, Jesus, joins us together, providing growth and support for us as we each do our part to build the body up. It is a joint effort (no pun intended). The result will be that we will grow up into Jesus, Who is the head of the body. Another passage on the body of Christ is 1 Corinthians 12:12-30. In verse 18 it is said that God “has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be.” In these verses Paul writes about the various gifts of the Spirit, and offices of the 5-fold ministry which God puts into the body. So it seems that the body of Christ should be complete, and each individual church or ministry has by design those members which are needed to build itself up into the fullness of the stature of Christ. When the body is healthy, its members are all functioning to build it up.
Over the last several months I have been praying about the body of Christ. What is God’s design for His Church? The Lord directed me to look at the human body and see the parallels there. Therefore, I’d like to record some insights I’ve gained during this time of study.
The basic component of the human body is the cell. The cell contains the DNA for it’s function, much like we each contain our calling and God-given personality. Though there are many needs in the human body, they can only be met by those cells which have become the right organ or body part which will meet the need. Therefore it is vital that we do not reject any part of our body.
Before birth when cells are forming in the womb to make the baby, the earliest cells are stem cells. These cells begin to differentiate, or specialize, as they move into position in the baby’s body to their appointed place. After birth, the cells become highly specialized and are restricted to what type of part they can create. For example, blood stem cells can only create the components of blood such as red and white cells, among others. Neuronal stem cells give rise to cells of the brain and nervous system. In a healthy body, each cell goes by design to it’s appointed position and performs it’s designed function. A failure of the stem cells to differentiate, or specialize, is called cancer.
Just as cells leave the bone marrow where stem cells originate from, so we as believers take on a new life after believing on Jesus as our Savior. Our growth includes training by the Holy Spirit, and being set into the body of Christ where God chooses. We are encouraged by His Word to grow in grace and knowledge of God, and in the gifts of the Spirit. If the community (body of Christ) we belong to does not allow each individual to grow, it will not be healthy, and in time will develop spiritual cancer.
As cells come together in the human body, they form tissues, a collection of similar cells that group together to perform a specialized function. Organs are structures that contain at least two different types of tissue functioning together for a common purpose. Examples of organs are the liver, kidneys, heart, and skin. Organ systems are composed of two or more different organs that work together to provide a common function. Here we begin to see that the body has a harmony which is necessary to accomplish it’s purposes.
In the body of Christ the gifts, vocations, and callings of people are placed to enhance the body’s overall functions. There are groupings of gifts, for example, in an evangelist which allow his evangelism to be expressed effectively. The evangelist must also network with others in his ministry to serve in his greatest capacity. And those in his ministry will send him out to do his work amongst others, for this is his intended purpose. You could say it is his DNA. The groupings of gifts in people (their calling and ministry formation) are necessary for God’s work to be done. This is why God can set us into works which He predestined for us to do; it’s in our original design (Eph 2:10).
There are 10 organ systems: skeletal, muscular, circulatory, nervous, respiratory, digestive, excretory, endocrine, reproductive, and immune. If we were to vote on which system to be in, probably none of us would want to be a bladder or intestines. We think of the heart as being a more noble part of the body. Indeed, when the heart stops, so does life. But what is the heart doing? It is pumping blood to all the other parts of the body, for the life is in the blood (Lev 17:11). The blood, by design, carries contributions from each organ to distribute appropriately. Waste from the stomach ends up in the colon. Waste from other systems may end up in the bladder. Nourishment from the sun also enters the blood, arriving to an area in the small intestines to make vitamin B12. The interchanges are almost infinite in number!
Let’s start with the skeletal system. It’s role is to provide support for the body, to provide attachment sites for the organs, and to protect internal organs. We read in Ezekiel 37 that the Lord showed Ezekiel a vision of dry bones, nothing else. The Lord asked him “Can these bones live?” (vs 3). There was structure, but no life. Wisely, Ezekiel said “O Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” So the Lord told him about His plan to make the bones live by supplying the parts that were lacking. He mentions tendons, flesh, skin and breath. The bones came together, held in place by the tendons. The tissues were applied, and covered over with skin. And the Lord breathed breath into these bodies to give them life. This is an example of how structure alone is not able to sustain life. The whole body is needed.
Muscles provide movement. They work together to move our limbs, and also are responsible for moving materials through other parts of the body, such as moving blood through our veins. By controlling the gross movement of our body, muscles allow us to go in a direction. The work of the muscles is initiated by the brain, sending signals through the nerves to the muscles. In Habukkuk 2:2 we read that the prophet was to “write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it”. The herald was to catch the vision and run with it. This person would be gifted with wisdom on not only the interpretation of the vision, but how to implement it, or put it into motion. A herald is a forerunner, being the first to run with the vision. As muscles perform throughout the physical body, so we also need persons in the church body with the ability to “catch” the revelation of the Lord and “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” (Eph 6:10). Discipline trains a person to be a forerunner (Heb 12:11). The muscles give us a glimpse not only of the gift of the herald, or forerunner, but of the life style of discipline laid out in Heb 12:1-13. The conditioning of the athletic runner parallels that of the Christian and is foundational to being able to carry out the Word of the Lord.
The circulatory system is a transportation system for every member of the body. Nutrients, air, wastes, and hormones travel through our veins. An interesting parallel is that our veins are called blood vessels, and a boat is also called a vessel. As Christians we are asked to edify and build up the body by what each one of us supplies to the body as a whole. This happens through the circulatory system in the human body, and through our gifts in the spiritual body. In 1 Peter 4:10,11 we read that “each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” . . . The circulatory system facilitates body ministry, in effect.
The Nervous system relays signals through the body. This directs behavior and movement of other organs. These messages come from the brain, located in the head, and in return, messages are sent from destination points back to the brain. In some cases, such as when one’s finger gets burned, the end-point which is experiencing the pain sends the signal back to the brain, which sends a signal to the muscles to move the finger away from the fire. Priests, prophets, pastors, evangelists, apostles, teachers . . . the list of those who receive messages from the Lord is endless. Each one of us has the ability to hear from God because we have the Holy Spirit. Yet there are some who are specialized into roles in which they hear and impart messages from the Lord. Others, like the nerves in the ends of our fingers, are specialized into roles where they communicate the needs of the body to the Head.
The Respiratory system provides air to the tissues of the body. This system also provides for carbon dioxide to leave the body. In the earlier example, the Lord told Ezekiel that the bones would come to life after He breathed into them. He had Ezekiel prophesy to the breath to come from the four winds so that the men could live. The Lord told him that the breath was His Spirit (vs 14). The Spirit is called the Comforter, and the Spirit of Truth. The inbreathing of the Spirit in the body of Christ should reflect growth in the knowledge of the Lord. It also should facilitate the exhaling of error. The Spirit knows our thoughts and the intentions of our hearts. If these are not good, He exchanges our sin for His truth and peace. Those who minister in the Spirit restore the members to truth and build up the body in it’s growth in the Lord.
The digestive system breaks down our food, allowing nutrients to be absorbed into the body. Paul talked about feeding people spiritual food, milk for the young in faith and meat for those more mature. Jesus also used food as an example of nutrients needed for spiritual growth, Himself being the bread of life. Those who instruct in the Word break large concepts down into smaller bites so that they can be digested. In the human body, the pancreas helps with the utilization of our sugar, even though it is from the endocrine organ system. So in the body of Christ, it may take pastors, teachers, and others gifted in teaching to enrich the body of Christ according to all its needs.
The Excretory system filters out wastes, toxins and helps balance water and other nutrients. We need these organs functioning in our body to prevent a feeling of being toxic and bloated. We also need brothers and sister in Christ who have the gift of discernment, knowing which things need to be passed out of the body. The foundation of discernment comes from knowing right from wrong and good from bad. When a body feels toxic, it’s people of discernment are calling good evil and evil good . . . putting bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter (Is 5:20). Those who are trained by “solid food” train themselves to discern between good and evil (Heb 5:14). So the lessons learned from the teachers, put into practice over a period of time, bring discernment. Those with discernment keep the body from becoming toxic. See also Malachi 3:18.
The Endocrine system makes hormones which relay messages throughout the body. These messages are aided by the nervous system and help control physiological processes such as growth. Many of these operate on a feedback loop. If the body is cold, the hypothalamus will send a message to regulate the temperature by shivering to produce heat. The thyroid gland helps regulate the metabolism, as well as body temperature. There are too many functions to write about. It is interesting how different organs in this system address needs and problems in different ways. There is diversity in the endocrine system, just like there is diversity in the body of Christ. People who listen to the needs and problems of others and adjust the body to compensate for their weaknesses actually facilitate growth of the whole body. The harmony in the body of Christ is dependant on listening to those who give us feedback (1 Cor 12:25). We have disharmony when we think we can do without some parts! (1 Cor 12:21-23). Indifference and sin cause us to grow cold inside (Mt 24:12) whereas love is what gives motivation for our faith to function (Gal 5:6).
The Reproductive system makes cells that allow reproduction. Paul said that he was in birth pains until Christ would be formed in the Galatians (4:19). Those who father the faith of others are the reproductive system in the body of Christ. The care and nurturing over souls in their infancy of faith takes time, as does the formation of a baby in the womb. Bringing a baby forth into the light of Life takes labor, as does the work of discipling young converts into men and women of faith who can stand on their own 2 feet (with the help of the Lord, of course).
The Immune system removes and destroys invading microbes and viruses from the body. The lymph system also removes fat and extra fluids. When a person’s immune system shuts down, they are vulnerable to attacks from things which eventually will kill them. God designed the human body to ward off enemy attacks. He says that “I have plans for you . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer 29:11). Just as our immune system helps keep our body healthy so that we can prosper and live out the plans the Lord has for us, so there is a spiritual immune system which battles evil so that the Lord’s purposes can be carried out on the earth. This spiritual warfare is spread throughout the physical body in the blood vessels, and lymph nodes. In our churches, we should all pray for peace, and against evil. However, a closer look at the immune system will show us that there are specialized gifts which should be employed in spiritual warfare. Since Paul writes that the weapons of our warfare are “powerful” (2 Cor 10:4,5), I will write about the specialized gifts of those who war in the Spirit.
The Immune System; warfare within and spiritual warfare
Our immune system sets a parallel with spiritual warfare by it’s very design. I will briefly explain the design of this intricate system, and then discuss the parallels in our faith, and our ability to overcome the schemes of our enemy (Eph 6:11).
Our physical body has two levels of protection against disease. The first level is called natural immunity and is made up of the following;
• the physical barriers of the skin and mucous membranes,
• the physiological factors such as temperature, normal flora, etc.
• protein secretions which help external fluids resist invasion and provide internal protection as well
• cells which recognize bacteria and yeast and defeat them upon entrance into the body. These cells mount a local response at the point of entry and clear up small infections. This response is called inflammation.
Our natural immune system differs from the second level of immunity in that it carries no memory of the offending intruder. Each offense is dealt with individually. Offending agents, such as yeast or bacteria can be kept at bay by keeping the skin in good shape so that there is no point of entry. But a wound, no matter how small, can allow the offending agent inside where it causes harm. We can see an example of this physical oppression in the story of Job. Job’s skin (among other things) was afflicted in an attempt to cause him to turn against God. He scraped his skin with broken potsherds because his affliction was so great (Job 2:4-8). Some bacteria had gotten under his skin and many theologians think poor Job had boils.
Spiritually, Job’s enemy was trying to get under his skin also. What happens when “things” get under our skin? Things get past our protection. What could our protection be in the adverse circumstances of our life? Our protection is our faith. Job had faith in God. Our faith is describes as a protective barrier against our enemies fiery darts in Ephesians 6:16. So we can see that our skin is an example of the shield of faith, keeping satan’s accusations at bay. When we maintain faith in God’s good nature and character we prevent the infectious bitterness that grows in our soul. But if we let our shield down and doubt His goodness, our wounds lead to infection personally, and affect the body of Christ (Heb 12:15). We can have grace for our trials, which prevents infectious bitterness. This is the admonition referred to in Hebrews 12:15; “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” We have the natural protection of our faith if we raise it up. However, if we are angry and let bitterness take root, we find we have disobeyed the Word of God (Eph 4;31) and are out from under His protection. The grace God gives us for our trial is an example of those cells which fight against the offending agent at the point of entry. We were designed to win!
The most commonplace physiological factor that lowers the immune system is temperature. If a person is too cold for too long, their immunity goes down and colds, viruses and pneumonia can settle in, along with local infections on the skin. People in foreign prisons often succumb to immune-suppressed diseases they would more easily have overcome in a warmer environment. Spiritual coldness affects us also. Though Jesus said that the world would know that we are Christians by our love for each other (warmth), He also foretold of a time when the hearts of men would grow cold (Mt 24:12). Therefore we need to “heat” each other up through encouragement (Heb 10:25) since the times have grown increasingly more evil. And again, it is the weakest member in the body which needs the most care (1 Cor 12:22-25).
The second level of our immune system is called the adaptive immunity. This immunity increases in strength and effectiveness with each encounter. The offending agent is recognized in a specific manner ant the immune system acquires memory towards it. Because the adaptive immunity remembers the agent, re-encounter with this agent causes a secondary response that is more rapid and powerful. The adaptive immunity uses the following to combat offending agents (called antigens);
• lymphocytes – these white blood cells come from the bone marrow and have their beginnings, like all cells, as stem cells. Their life is one of patrol and response. There are 3 types of lymphocytes; A-lymph come from the bone marrow, as mentioned. B-lymph leave the bone marrow and go to lymph nodes. T-lymph leave the bone marrow and undergo further maturation in the thymus. The bone marrow and thymus also make the immature lymph cells.
• The A-lymphocyte cell surface has receptors which recognize antigens and secrets antibodies to kill antigens in the following ways;
o blocking the activity of their enemy
o telling other white blood cells about the antigen and helping them to recognize their enemy
o activating the cells in the natural immune system which destroy the antigen.
o Multiplying themselves in number
• B-lymphocytes produce antibodies and cytokines, which are used against antigens
• T-lymphocytes see antigens and display fragments of it on the cells surface, thus providing memory for other cells to refer to. One type of T-lymph kills infected or tumor cells. These cells undergo a process of maturation and education prior to release into the circulation by spending time in the thymus.
• Natural Killer (NK) lymphocytes represent a first line of defense to infections, tumor growth and other abnormalities in cell growth. NK cells can detect antigens by receptors on their skin.
• Phagocytes – take up, or eat, foreign substances in the body, such as antigens. Their properties are;
o Recognition of bacteria after contact
o Presenting the T cells with antigens, resulting in activation of T cell. T cell secretions increase the phagocyte presenting role, and so it becomes a “feed back” loop until the antigen is eliminated.
o Garbage pick-up; further dissolution of dying antigens
• Dendritic cells – one type lives on the surface of the skin, detecting antigens. They cannot present to the T cells, but can carry it through the lymph node system where mature dendritic cells there can present the antigen to T cells, if they encounter the right one (one who can effectively mount a response to the antigen). If so, these dendritic cells are the best at presenting antigens and far fewer of them are required to start an immune response then any other cell which may present antigens for recognition. A third type of dendritic cell traps antigens for long periods of time. They cannot present antigen to T cells but are important in developing responses by other lymphocytes.
• Granulocytes – There are three types, described below;
o Neutrophils – have receptors for antibodies and are involved in the inflammatory response
o Eosinophils – destroy parasites and contribute to the response to allergens
o Basophils – are responsible for hypersensitivity responses.
The Lymph System
The lymphatic system receives fluids from the veins and is moved through its system by the action of pressure applied by contractions of nearby muscles. So those who are “muscles”, or forerunners in the body of Christ, aid in advancing members of the body who war evil. In fact, if there are no forerunners, no men or women with vision, the body perishes (Prov 29:18).
Special protection for infants and children
Though infants and children are at a disadvantage to war against the offences that enter their lives due to their size, weakness, and lack of experience, there are some factors which work in their favor. A well known way to protect children from early illness is breast feeding, as the mother’s milk passes on her antibodies to the infant. Immunizations are also given to help ward off many childhood diseases. And, in the thymus gland, which helps mature T-cells for the immune system, we see that the gland itself enlarges gradually during childhood, and then begins reducing in size after puberty. These are a few example of how immunity is enhanced for the very young. We see that the Lord also leads the young, and those with young, gently (Is 40:11). He nurtures the new babes in Christ with the pure milk of His Word. One of the protections mentioned for the recent convert is to not be promoted to oversee the flock (1 Tim 3:6). In the physical body, a test showed that when immature immune cells were exposed to antigens, they peacefully accepted them. In other words, they tolerated evil and were unaware of their role to fight them. These antigens were like “certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago. (They) have slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord” (Jude 4). What a good description of an antigen! The possibility for infection is greater if the new convert is exposed simply because of his naivety. Much of the compromise in our own country is due to religious tolerance. Yet God has designed the body of Christ to have discernment, if we will just give the time to mature in the place He appoints us to.
Disorders of the immune system
Leukemia – Leukemia is a white blood cell cancer. The causes noted to this date are 1) genetic disorders, such as Down’s Syndrome, 2) exposure to toxic chemicals, and 3) viruses. This cancer has the following characteristics;
• Limited differentiation (specialization), instability, clumping together of white blood cells due to prolonged life span.
• Suppression of normal blood cell formation for other blood cells in the bone marrow.
• Infiltration of organs, even reaching to the brain
• Displacement of stem cell space in the bone marrow, thereby inhibiting production
Leukemia can be acute, leading to early death, or chronic, leading to a longer diseased state. The parallels of leukemia with disorders in the body of Christ begin with the causes.
The genetic disorders would be an example of having a DNA which is not “normal” or conducive to one’s calling. Some churches will not allow people to operate in their gifts, such as prophecy or the casting out of demons. This would be a body which had a DNA different than the body of Christ, Who gave these gifts “to prepare God’s people for the works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:8-13). If a church is of other genetic material, it tries to build itself up through other means, such as programs and projects. These people are those who serve but not because they have a relationship with Jesus (Mt 7:21-23 & Lk 13:24-27). They are helpless to protect themselves against the evil schemes of the enemy and do not become formed into the image of Christ. A body of Christ in which members serve one another in love fulfill God’s Word (Gal 5:13).
Exposure to toxic chemicals would be exposure to bitterness, which defiles many (Heb 12:15). Those who bite others end up destroying themselves also (Gal 5:15). A body of Christ which has these things in it’s members is open to wounding and destruction.
A virus is a type of teaching which forms the Christian into an image other than Christ. The example in Jude 4 shows that the false teachers changed the truth of God’s grace into a license for immorality. If the body of Christ tolerates evil, it will be defenseless against sin. When tolerance of false teachings infiltrates the body of Christ, resentment of God’s holy ways takes root. In Rev 16: 12-16 we read about deceiving spirits whose objective is to gather people against each other. False teachings cause disunity and hinder the service of members of the body of Christ. When false teachings encourage men to rely on their own understanding and wisdom, they exchange a spiritual walk with the Lord for earthly gain, marked by selfish ambition, envy, disorder and every evil practice (Jms 3:15,16).
A special kind of virus, known as HIV, specifically targets the T-cells of the immune system, rendering them useless. This virus enters into the T-cells through their receptors, combining it’s genes with the cell’s genetic material. Then the HIV genes direct the cell to produce the various proteins needed to reproduce HIV. The result is a body which slowly dies from the many infections and cancers it becomes exposed to.
The body of Christ which takes in false teachings aimed at it’s immune system runs the risk of leaving the body unprotected against deceiving spirits. Teachings that cause rejection of the 5-fold ministry and the gifts of the spirit come through many teachers who promise “safe” ways where men can know and follow God. These lessons take on the form of “peace and safety” (1 Thess 5:3) yet lack the true elements of the Word of God. Those who see no need for God’s gifts eventually replace them with their own words and understanding. Yet God teaches the cells of the immune system to recognize the enemy. So, God teaches the members of the 5-fold ministry to recognize false teachers and false brethren. He also gives discernment of evil spirits as a gift to many members of the body. The brother or sister who warns others of sin entering the body, or reveals the hidden deceit in a false teaching is like a cell of the immune system which presents the antigen to other cells so that they can fight it. The body which allows it’s members to operate in this gift will remain healthy.
Communication is an integral part of mounting a defense against the enemy’s plans. A body of Christ which discourages communication of the insights received by it’s members concerning the needs of and threats to it’s members will become a sick body.
Maturity is essential for the specialization needed to keep intruders out. A body of Christ which places a novice in leadership will cause him to suffer harm, and cause the body as well to be dysfunctional. Also, a body which determines the area of service for it’s members without regard to the DNA of each member will fall into dysfunction. God imprints each member of the body with the works they are called into and sets them in places to prepare them for service. He is the head of the body. False brethren deny God His Sovereignty (Jude 4).
What is the usefulness in examining the physical body? If we understand the functions of the body we will understand that God has a use for each member of the body of Christ. In examining the organ systems, their interactions, and specifically the role of the immune system we can see the role of God’s groupings of believers into specialized functions, and the need for a defense system which will keep the body healthy. And, in studying ways in which our physical body becomes unhealthy or dysfunctional we also learn a valuable lesson about guarding ourselves against the schemes of the devil who seeks to rob, kill and destroy each member individually, and defeat the body as a whole. The greatest lesson though is that God has made provision for us to be healthy, and to overcome the devil and all his schemes. Let us follow His Word and good example, as seen in our bodies and in other examples of His Creation. For God has surely revealed Himself in all His hands have created. Amen.
We think of the Church of Christ as a Bride. He called us His Bride in Rev. 21:2 & 9. Another name He calls us is His body (see 1 Corinthians 12). The body of Christ congregates in Churches, and is His Church. In Eph 1:23 it is made clear that the church is Jesus’ body. The term “bride” indicates intimacy, and oneness. The term “body” indicates function and action. In studying the ministry of the church, intimacy would be ministry to the Lord, and function or service would be ministry to men.
How does the body of Christ function in a ministry, or perform body ministry? In Ephesians 4:15-16 it is said that the Lord, Jesus, joins us together, providing growth and support for us as we each do our part to build the body up. It is a joint effort (no pun intended). The result will be that we will grow up into Jesus, Who is the head of the body. Another passage on the body of Christ is 1 Corinthians 12:12-30. In verse 18 it is said that God “has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be.” In these verses Paul writes about the various gifts of the Spirit, and offices of the 5-fold ministry which God puts into the body. So it seems that the body of Christ should be complete, and each individual church or ministry has by design those members which are needed to build itself up into the fullness of the stature of Christ. When the body is healthy, its members are all functioning to build it up.
Over the last several months I have been praying about the body of Christ. What is God’s design for His Church? The Lord directed me to look at the human body and see the parallels there. Therefore, I’d like to record some insights I’ve gained during this time of study.
The basic component of the human body is the cell. The cell contains the DNA for it’s function, much like we each contain our calling and God-given personality. Though there are many needs in the human body, they can only be met by those cells which have become the right organ or body part which will meet the need. Therefore it is vital that we do not reject any part of our body.
Before birth when cells are forming in the womb to make the baby, the earliest cells are stem cells. These cells begin to differentiate, or specialize, as they move into position in the baby’s body to their appointed place. After birth, the cells become highly specialized and are restricted to what type of part they can create. For example, blood stem cells can only create the components of blood such as red and white cells, among others. Neuronal stem cells give rise to cells of the brain and nervous system. In a healthy body, each cell goes by design to it’s appointed position and performs it’s designed function. A failure of the stem cells to differentiate, or specialize, is called cancer.
Just as cells leave the bone marrow where stem cells originate from, so we as believers take on a new life after believing on Jesus as our Savior. Our growth includes training by the Holy Spirit, and being set into the body of Christ where God chooses. We are encouraged by His Word to grow in grace and knowledge of God, and in the gifts of the Spirit. If the community (body of Christ) we belong to does not allow each individual to grow, it will not be healthy, and in time will develop spiritual cancer.
As cells come together in the human body, they form tissues, a collection of similar cells that group together to perform a specialized function. Organs are structures that contain at least two different types of tissue functioning together for a common purpose. Examples of organs are the liver, kidneys, heart, and skin. Organ systems are composed of two or more different organs that work together to provide a common function. Here we begin to see that the body has a harmony which is necessary to accomplish it’s purposes.
In the body of Christ the gifts, vocations, and callings of people are placed to enhance the body’s overall functions. There are groupings of gifts, for example, in an evangelist which allow his evangelism to be expressed effectively. The evangelist must also network with others in his ministry to serve in his greatest capacity. And those in his ministry will send him out to do his work amongst others, for this is his intended purpose. You could say it is his DNA. The groupings of gifts in people (their calling and ministry formation) are necessary for God’s work to be done. This is why God can set us into works which He predestined for us to do; it’s in our original design (Eph 2:10).
There are 10 organ systems: skeletal, muscular, circulatory, nervous, respiratory, digestive, excretory, endocrine, reproductive, and immune. If we were to vote on which system to be in, probably none of us would want to be a bladder or intestines. We think of the heart as being a more noble part of the body. Indeed, when the heart stops, so does life. But what is the heart doing? It is pumping blood to all the other parts of the body, for the life is in the blood (Lev 17:11). The blood, by design, carries contributions from each organ to distribute appropriately. Waste from the stomach ends up in the colon. Waste from other systems may end up in the bladder. Nourishment from the sun also enters the blood, arriving to an area in the small intestines to make vitamin B12. The interchanges are almost infinite in number!
Let’s start with the skeletal system. It’s role is to provide support for the body, to provide attachment sites for the organs, and to protect internal organs. We read in Ezekiel 37 that the Lord showed Ezekiel a vision of dry bones, nothing else. The Lord asked him “Can these bones live?” (vs 3). There was structure, but no life. Wisely, Ezekiel said “O Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” So the Lord told him about His plan to make the bones live by supplying the parts that were lacking. He mentions tendons, flesh, skin and breath. The bones came together, held in place by the tendons. The tissues were applied, and covered over with skin. And the Lord breathed breath into these bodies to give them life. This is an example of how structure alone is not able to sustain life. The whole body is needed.
Muscles provide movement. They work together to move our limbs, and also are responsible for moving materials through other parts of the body, such as moving blood through our veins. By controlling the gross movement of our body, muscles allow us to go in a direction. The work of the muscles is initiated by the brain, sending signals through the nerves to the muscles. In Habukkuk 2:2 we read that the prophet was to “write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it”. The herald was to catch the vision and run with it. This person would be gifted with wisdom on not only the interpretation of the vision, but how to implement it, or put it into motion. A herald is a forerunner, being the first to run with the vision. As muscles perform throughout the physical body, so we also need persons in the church body with the ability to “catch” the revelation of the Lord and “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” (Eph 6:10). Discipline trains a person to be a forerunner (Heb 12:11). The muscles give us a glimpse not only of the gift of the herald, or forerunner, but of the life style of discipline laid out in Heb 12:1-13. The conditioning of the athletic runner parallels that of the Christian and is foundational to being able to carry out the Word of the Lord.
The circulatory system is a transportation system for every member of the body. Nutrients, air, wastes, and hormones travel through our veins. An interesting parallel is that our veins are called blood vessels, and a boat is also called a vessel. As Christians we are asked to edify and build up the body by what each one of us supplies to the body as a whole. This happens through the circulatory system in the human body, and through our gifts in the spiritual body. In 1 Peter 4:10,11 we read that “each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” . . . The circulatory system facilitates body ministry, in effect.
The Nervous system relays signals through the body. This directs behavior and movement of other organs. These messages come from the brain, located in the head, and in return, messages are sent from destination points back to the brain. In some cases, such as when one’s finger gets burned, the end-point which is experiencing the pain sends the signal back to the brain, which sends a signal to the muscles to move the finger away from the fire. Priests, prophets, pastors, evangelists, apostles, teachers . . . the list of those who receive messages from the Lord is endless. Each one of us has the ability to hear from God because we have the Holy Spirit. Yet there are some who are specialized into roles in which they hear and impart messages from the Lord. Others, like the nerves in the ends of our fingers, are specialized into roles where they communicate the needs of the body to the Head.
The Respiratory system provides air to the tissues of the body. This system also provides for carbon dioxide to leave the body. In the earlier example, the Lord told Ezekiel that the bones would come to life after He breathed into them. He had Ezekiel prophesy to the breath to come from the four winds so that the men could live. The Lord told him that the breath was His Spirit (vs 14). The Spirit is called the Comforter, and the Spirit of Truth. The inbreathing of the Spirit in the body of Christ should reflect growth in the knowledge of the Lord. It also should facilitate the exhaling of error. The Spirit knows our thoughts and the intentions of our hearts. If these are not good, He exchanges our sin for His truth and peace. Those who minister in the Spirit restore the members to truth and build up the body in it’s growth in the Lord.
The digestive system breaks down our food, allowing nutrients to be absorbed into the body. Paul talked about feeding people spiritual food, milk for the young in faith and meat for those more mature. Jesus also used food as an example of nutrients needed for spiritual growth, Himself being the bread of life. Those who instruct in the Word break large concepts down into smaller bites so that they can be digested. In the human body, the pancreas helps with the utilization of our sugar, even though it is from the endocrine organ system. So in the body of Christ, it may take pastors, teachers, and others gifted in teaching to enrich the body of Christ according to all its needs.
The Excretory system filters out wastes, toxins and helps balance water and other nutrients. We need these organs functioning in our body to prevent a feeling of being toxic and bloated. We also need brothers and sister in Christ who have the gift of discernment, knowing which things need to be passed out of the body. The foundation of discernment comes from knowing right from wrong and good from bad. When a body feels toxic, it’s people of discernment are calling good evil and evil good . . . putting bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter (Is 5:20). Those who are trained by “solid food” train themselves to discern between good and evil (Heb 5:14). So the lessons learned from the teachers, put into practice over a period of time, bring discernment. Those with discernment keep the body from becoming toxic. See also Malachi 3:18.
The Endocrine system makes hormones which relay messages throughout the body. These messages are aided by the nervous system and help control physiological processes such as growth. Many of these operate on a feedback loop. If the body is cold, the hypothalamus will send a message to regulate the temperature by shivering to produce heat. The thyroid gland helps regulate the metabolism, as well as body temperature. There are too many functions to write about. It is interesting how different organs in this system address needs and problems in different ways. There is diversity in the endocrine system, just like there is diversity in the body of Christ. People who listen to the needs and problems of others and adjust the body to compensate for their weaknesses actually facilitate growth of the whole body. The harmony in the body of Christ is dependant on listening to those who give us feedback (1 Cor 12:25). We have disharmony when we think we can do without some parts! (1 Cor 12:21-23). Indifference and sin cause us to grow cold inside (Mt 24:12) whereas love is what gives motivation for our faith to function (Gal 5:6).
The Reproductive system makes cells that allow reproduction. Paul said that he was in birth pains until Christ would be formed in the Galatians (4:19). Those who father the faith of others are the reproductive system in the body of Christ. The care and nurturing over souls in their infancy of faith takes time, as does the formation of a baby in the womb. Bringing a baby forth into the light of Life takes labor, as does the work of discipling young converts into men and women of faith who can stand on their own 2 feet (with the help of the Lord, of course).
The Immune system removes and destroys invading microbes and viruses from the body. The lymph system also removes fat and extra fluids. When a person’s immune system shuts down, they are vulnerable to attacks from things which eventually will kill them. God designed the human body to ward off enemy attacks. He says that “I have plans for you . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer 29:11). Just as our immune system helps keep our body healthy so that we can prosper and live out the plans the Lord has for us, so there is a spiritual immune system which battles evil so that the Lord’s purposes can be carried out on the earth. This spiritual warfare is spread throughout the physical body in the blood vessels, and lymph nodes. In our churches, we should all pray for peace, and against evil. However, a closer look at the immune system will show us that there are specialized gifts which should be employed in spiritual warfare. Since Paul writes that the weapons of our warfare are “powerful” (2 Cor 10:4,5), I will write about the specialized gifts of those who war in the Spirit.
The Immune System; warfare within and spiritual warfare
Our immune system sets a parallel with spiritual warfare by it’s very design. I will briefly explain the design of this intricate system, and then discuss the parallels in our faith, and our ability to overcome the schemes of our enemy (Eph 6:11).
Our physical body has two levels of protection against disease. The first level is called natural immunity and is made up of the following;
• the physical barriers of the skin and mucous membranes,
• the physiological factors such as temperature, normal flora, etc.
• protein secretions which help external fluids resist invasion and provide internal protection as well
• cells which recognize bacteria and yeast and defeat them upon entrance into the body. These cells mount a local response at the point of entry and clear up small infections. This response is called inflammation.
Our natural immune system differs from the second level of immunity in that it carries no memory of the offending intruder. Each offense is dealt with individually. Offending agents, such as yeast or bacteria can be kept at bay by keeping the skin in good shape so that there is no point of entry. But a wound, no matter how small, can allow the offending agent inside where it causes harm. We can see an example of this physical oppression in the story of Job. Job’s skin (among other things) was afflicted in an attempt to cause him to turn against God. He scraped his skin with broken potsherds because his affliction was so great (Job 2:4-8). Some bacteria had gotten under his skin and many theologians think poor Job had boils.
Spiritually, Job’s enemy was trying to get under his skin also. What happens when “things” get under our skin? Things get past our protection. What could our protection be in the adverse circumstances of our life? Our protection is our faith. Job had faith in God. Our faith is describes as a protective barrier against our enemies fiery darts in Ephesians 6:16. So we can see that our skin is an example of the shield of faith, keeping satan’s accusations at bay. When we maintain faith in God’s good nature and character we prevent the infectious bitterness that grows in our soul. But if we let our shield down and doubt His goodness, our wounds lead to infection personally, and affect the body of Christ (Heb 12:15). We can have grace for our trials, which prevents infectious bitterness. This is the admonition referred to in Hebrews 12:15; “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” We have the natural protection of our faith if we raise it up. However, if we are angry and let bitterness take root, we find we have disobeyed the Word of God (Eph 4;31) and are out from under His protection. The grace God gives us for our trial is an example of those cells which fight against the offending agent at the point of entry. We were designed to win!
The most commonplace physiological factor that lowers the immune system is temperature. If a person is too cold for too long, their immunity goes down and colds, viruses and pneumonia can settle in, along with local infections on the skin. People in foreign prisons often succumb to immune-suppressed diseases they would more easily have overcome in a warmer environment. Spiritual coldness affects us also. Though Jesus said that the world would know that we are Christians by our love for each other (warmth), He also foretold of a time when the hearts of men would grow cold (Mt 24:12). Therefore we need to “heat” each other up through encouragement (Heb 10:25) since the times have grown increasingly more evil. And again, it is the weakest member in the body which needs the most care (1 Cor 12:22-25).
The second level of our immune system is called the adaptive immunity. This immunity increases in strength and effectiveness with each encounter. The offending agent is recognized in a specific manner ant the immune system acquires memory towards it. Because the adaptive immunity remembers the agent, re-encounter with this agent causes a secondary response that is more rapid and powerful. The adaptive immunity uses the following to combat offending agents (called antigens);
• lymphocytes – these white blood cells come from the bone marrow and have their beginnings, like all cells, as stem cells. Their life is one of patrol and response. There are 3 types of lymphocytes; A-lymph come from the bone marrow, as mentioned. B-lymph leave the bone marrow and go to lymph nodes. T-lymph leave the bone marrow and undergo further maturation in the thymus. The bone marrow and thymus also make the immature lymph cells.
• The A-lymphocyte cell surface has receptors which recognize antigens and secrets antibodies to kill antigens in the following ways;
o blocking the activity of their enemy
o telling other white blood cells about the antigen and helping them to recognize their enemy
o activating the cells in the natural immune system which destroy the antigen.
o Multiplying themselves in number
• B-lymphocytes produce antibodies and cytokines, which are used against antigens
• T-lymphocytes see antigens and display fragments of it on the cells surface, thus providing memory for other cells to refer to. One type of T-lymph kills infected or tumor cells. These cells undergo a process of maturation and education prior to release into the circulation by spending time in the thymus.
• Natural Killer (NK) lymphocytes represent a first line of defense to infections, tumor growth and other abnormalities in cell growth. NK cells can detect antigens by receptors on their skin.
• Phagocytes – take up, or eat, foreign substances in the body, such as antigens. Their properties are;
o Recognition of bacteria after contact
o Presenting the T cells with antigens, resulting in activation of T cell. T cell secretions increase the phagocyte presenting role, and so it becomes a “feed back” loop until the antigen is eliminated.
o Garbage pick-up; further dissolution of dying antigens
• Dendritic cells – one type lives on the surface of the skin, detecting antigens. They cannot present to the T cells, but can carry it through the lymph node system where mature dendritic cells there can present the antigen to T cells, if they encounter the right one (one who can effectively mount a response to the antigen). If so, these dendritic cells are the best at presenting antigens and far fewer of them are required to start an immune response then any other cell which may present antigens for recognition. A third type of dendritic cell traps antigens for long periods of time. They cannot present antigen to T cells but are important in developing responses by other lymphocytes.
• Granulocytes – There are three types, described below;
o Neutrophils – have receptors for antibodies and are involved in the inflammatory response
o Eosinophils – destroy parasites and contribute to the response to allergens
o Basophils – are responsible for hypersensitivity responses.
The Lymph System
The lymphatic system receives fluids from the veins and is moved through its system by the action of pressure applied by contractions of nearby muscles. So those who are “muscles”, or forerunners in the body of Christ, aid in advancing members of the body who war evil. In fact, if there are no forerunners, no men or women with vision, the body perishes (Prov 29:18).
Special protection for infants and children
Though infants and children are at a disadvantage to war against the offences that enter their lives due to their size, weakness, and lack of experience, there are some factors which work in their favor. A well known way to protect children from early illness is breast feeding, as the mother’s milk passes on her antibodies to the infant. Immunizations are also given to help ward off many childhood diseases. And, in the thymus gland, which helps mature T-cells for the immune system, we see that the gland itself enlarges gradually during childhood, and then begins reducing in size after puberty. These are a few example of how immunity is enhanced for the very young. We see that the Lord also leads the young, and those with young, gently (Is 40:11). He nurtures the new babes in Christ with the pure milk of His Word. One of the protections mentioned for the recent convert is to not be promoted to oversee the flock (1 Tim 3:6). In the physical body, a test showed that when immature immune cells were exposed to antigens, they peacefully accepted them. In other words, they tolerated evil and were unaware of their role to fight them. These antigens were like “certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago. (They) have slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord” (Jude 4). What a good description of an antigen! The possibility for infection is greater if the new convert is exposed simply because of his naivety. Much of the compromise in our own country is due to religious tolerance. Yet God has designed the body of Christ to have discernment, if we will just give the time to mature in the place He appoints us to.
Disorders of the immune system
Leukemia – Leukemia is a white blood cell cancer. The causes noted to this date are 1) genetic disorders, such as Down’s Syndrome, 2) exposure to toxic chemicals, and 3) viruses. This cancer has the following characteristics;
• Limited differentiation (specialization), instability, clumping together of white blood cells due to prolonged life span.
• Suppression of normal blood cell formation for other blood cells in the bone marrow.
• Infiltration of organs, even reaching to the brain
• Displacement of stem cell space in the bone marrow, thereby inhibiting production
Leukemia can be acute, leading to early death, or chronic, leading to a longer diseased state. The parallels of leukemia with disorders in the body of Christ begin with the causes.
The genetic disorders would be an example of having a DNA which is not “normal” or conducive to one’s calling. Some churches will not allow people to operate in their gifts, such as prophecy or the casting out of demons. This would be a body which had a DNA different than the body of Christ, Who gave these gifts “to prepare God’s people for the works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:8-13). If a church is of other genetic material, it tries to build itself up through other means, such as programs and projects. These people are those who serve but not because they have a relationship with Jesus (Mt 7:21-23 & Lk 13:24-27). They are helpless to protect themselves against the evil schemes of the enemy and do not become formed into the image of Christ. A body of Christ in which members serve one another in love fulfill God’s Word (Gal 5:13).
Exposure to toxic chemicals would be exposure to bitterness, which defiles many (Heb 12:15). Those who bite others end up destroying themselves also (Gal 5:15). A body of Christ which has these things in it’s members is open to wounding and destruction.
A virus is a type of teaching which forms the Christian into an image other than Christ. The example in Jude 4 shows that the false teachers changed the truth of God’s grace into a license for immorality. If the body of Christ tolerates evil, it will be defenseless against sin. When tolerance of false teachings infiltrates the body of Christ, resentment of God’s holy ways takes root. In Rev 16: 12-16 we read about deceiving spirits whose objective is to gather people against each other. False teachings cause disunity and hinder the service of members of the body of Christ. When false teachings encourage men to rely on their own understanding and wisdom, they exchange a spiritual walk with the Lord for earthly gain, marked by selfish ambition, envy, disorder and every evil practice (Jms 3:15,16).
A special kind of virus, known as HIV, specifically targets the T-cells of the immune system, rendering them useless. This virus enters into the T-cells through their receptors, combining it’s genes with the cell’s genetic material. Then the HIV genes direct the cell to produce the various proteins needed to reproduce HIV. The result is a body which slowly dies from the many infections and cancers it becomes exposed to.
The body of Christ which takes in false teachings aimed at it’s immune system runs the risk of leaving the body unprotected against deceiving spirits. Teachings that cause rejection of the 5-fold ministry and the gifts of the spirit come through many teachers who promise “safe” ways where men can know and follow God. These lessons take on the form of “peace and safety” (1 Thess 5:3) yet lack the true elements of the Word of God. Those who see no need for God’s gifts eventually replace them with their own words and understanding. Yet God teaches the cells of the immune system to recognize the enemy. So, God teaches the members of the 5-fold ministry to recognize false teachers and false brethren. He also gives discernment of evil spirits as a gift to many members of the body. The brother or sister who warns others of sin entering the body, or reveals the hidden deceit in a false teaching is like a cell of the immune system which presents the antigen to other cells so that they can fight it. The body which allows it’s members to operate in this gift will remain healthy.
Communication is an integral part of mounting a defense against the enemy’s plans. A body of Christ which discourages communication of the insights received by it’s members concerning the needs of and threats to it’s members will become a sick body.
Maturity is essential for the specialization needed to keep intruders out. A body of Christ which places a novice in leadership will cause him to suffer harm, and cause the body as well to be dysfunctional. Also, a body which determines the area of service for it’s members without regard to the DNA of each member will fall into dysfunction. God imprints each member of the body with the works they are called into and sets them in places to prepare them for service. He is the head of the body. False brethren deny God His Sovereignty (Jude 4).
What is the usefulness in examining the physical body? If we understand the functions of the body we will understand that God has a use for each member of the body of Christ. In examining the organ systems, their interactions, and specifically the role of the immune system we can see the role of God’s groupings of believers into specialized functions, and the need for a defense system which will keep the body healthy. And, in studying ways in which our physical body becomes unhealthy or dysfunctional we also learn a valuable lesson about guarding ourselves against the schemes of the devil who seeks to rob, kill and destroy each member individually, and defeat the body as a whole. The greatest lesson though is that God has made provision for us to be healthy, and to overcome the devil and all his schemes. Let us follow His Word and good example, as seen in our bodies and in other examples of His Creation. For God has surely revealed Himself in all His hands have created. Amen.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Fine Linen
Fine Linen
11-25-06
God is setting us up. He is preparing us to be prepared, and ready. He has called us to the wedding feast and is working in our lives to get us there. He is faithful, and not only invites us, He sends His messengers to tell us so that we won’t miss it. He also knows that some of us will become distracted so He gave us an account of things to watch for so that we will lay those things aside when He calls for us.
There were two things which kept the invitees from attending the feast; busyness, and wrong attire. In Luke 14 we read about some of their excuses; buying a field, checking on their new oxen, and getting married. These people weren’t doing wrong things, but they were doing busy things. They made excuses. When the master heard these excuses he had his servants invite people off the street; the poor, crippled, blind and maim. In the account of this parable from Matthew 22 we read about one of those poor street people, attending, but without wedding clothes . Though the original invitees and the poor street person seem to have different reasons for being disqualified, I’d like to suggest that they have the same reason; they missed the preparation time which the Lord brings into all our lives for the reward He wishes to give us.
Today the Lord gave me a Word of prophecy, in which I heard “I’m giving people opportunity for works in this hour, but many are saying they are too busy. They think I have filled their time so much that they will not let one interruption in. But the good Samaritan let his life be interrupted.
In the parable of the King who sent His servants to invite the guests to His feast, the guests were too busy. Has no one noticed this trend today? Every new thing comes into My people’s lives as an intrusion. But it is Me, selling them fine linen to wear to the feast. Those who made time to come but had no wedding garments on were put outside as well.
Who will recognize the brother that needs a cup of cool water? Yet there is reward in receiving the thirsty brother and ministering to him . If a man will receive My servants, whether they be a prophet or a righteous man, he will receive his reward. The reward comes in receiving the one I send to you, and ministering to him, even giving a cup of cold water. This is how the Bride gets her fine clean linen; she does the works of righteousness. And when I return, I will reward My people for those things they did while yet in their bodies . Is it insignificant that I said My reward is with Me? I want to reward My people for what they have physically done in the body .
I do not wish to find any naked . I am sending opportunities in this hour for my people to clothe themselves with the righteous deeds of the saints. This is why I warn My people not to soil their clothes, lest I come upon them like a thief . This is why I warn My people to keep their garments so that they will not be exposed shamefully when I come upon them as a thief . Be awake, for I have sent those in need amongst you. Be awake and see them.”
Let us continue to watch and pray, and take every opportunity to minister to the saints, His body. Amen.
11-25-06
God is setting us up. He is preparing us to be prepared, and ready. He has called us to the wedding feast and is working in our lives to get us there. He is faithful, and not only invites us, He sends His messengers to tell us so that we won’t miss it. He also knows that some of us will become distracted so He gave us an account of things to watch for so that we will lay those things aside when He calls for us.
There were two things which kept the invitees from attending the feast; busyness, and wrong attire. In Luke 14 we read about some of their excuses; buying a field, checking on their new oxen, and getting married. These people weren’t doing wrong things, but they were doing busy things. They made excuses. When the master heard these excuses he had his servants invite people off the street; the poor, crippled, blind and maim. In the account of this parable from Matthew 22 we read about one of those poor street people, attending, but without wedding clothes . Though the original invitees and the poor street person seem to have different reasons for being disqualified, I’d like to suggest that they have the same reason; they missed the preparation time which the Lord brings into all our lives for the reward He wishes to give us.
Today the Lord gave me a Word of prophecy, in which I heard “I’m giving people opportunity for works in this hour, but many are saying they are too busy. They think I have filled their time so much that they will not let one interruption in. But the good Samaritan let his life be interrupted.
In the parable of the King who sent His servants to invite the guests to His feast, the guests were too busy. Has no one noticed this trend today? Every new thing comes into My people’s lives as an intrusion. But it is Me, selling them fine linen to wear to the feast. Those who made time to come but had no wedding garments on were put outside as well.
Who will recognize the brother that needs a cup of cool water? Yet there is reward in receiving the thirsty brother and ministering to him . If a man will receive My servants, whether they be a prophet or a righteous man, he will receive his reward. The reward comes in receiving the one I send to you, and ministering to him, even giving a cup of cold water. This is how the Bride gets her fine clean linen; she does the works of righteousness. And when I return, I will reward My people for those things they did while yet in their bodies . Is it insignificant that I said My reward is with Me? I want to reward My people for what they have physically done in the body .
I do not wish to find any naked . I am sending opportunities in this hour for my people to clothe themselves with the righteous deeds of the saints. This is why I warn My people not to soil their clothes, lest I come upon them like a thief . This is why I warn My people to keep their garments so that they will not be exposed shamefully when I come upon them as a thief . Be awake, for I have sent those in need amongst you. Be awake and see them.”
Let us continue to watch and pray, and take every opportunity to minister to the saints, His body. Amen.
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