The Voice: Devotionals

The Church as One

2006-11-20T15:45:00.000-08:00

by: Stephen Weber

"The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one...." (John 17:22 NASB)

If we are to truly 'go deeper' for God and know Him more, then we will strive to follow His will. Jesus' will for the church was that we would be one. That is, united. What is a large obstacle faced today in this area? Denominations.

We must not, however, see organized denominations as the whole problem. I know I am tempted to think sometimes that if churches would just join together and forget about their denominations that things would just be much better, that some how it is the churches' fault.

It's not about the churches but the Church.

We as believers form both the churches and the Church - the body of Christ. If we want to see change, we should not look for it to come from above, but from us.

We are to be the salt and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14). We often hear about how we must reach out to non-Christians. Yet, it must start with us: reaching out to other Christians first, and then non-believers. How can we confront them about the specks in their eyes, when we are beating our brothers and sisters with the logs in our own?

It is not for the churches as organizations to change, it is for us, as people, to change. We must challenge ourselves to live daily as brothers and sisters united. If I believe Jesus could come back tomorrow, and you believe that there is much that must first happen, what does that matter? Are we not saved by the same Christ? Is there not "one body and one Spirit... one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all" (Ephesians 4:4-6)?

Knowing God More

2006-11-06T18:00:00.000-08:00

by: Stephen Weber

Many Christians know, or know of Matthew 16:18 "And I say also unto thee that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". In the NIV it says 'overcome' instead of 'prevail', but a footnote makes it clear that the meaning is the same -- hell cannot stand against the church. This does not mean that we can sit comfortably at our school and in our churches and Satan cannot invade. This means that when we begin to invade Satan's territory, or to assault the very gates of hell, we shall prevail. God's power in us puts us so far above the Evil One and his minions that together we can, and should, assault his very domain.
So how does this relate to the title of knowing God more? How can we invade enemy territory unless we understand the ways of God? In our own strength we cannot even resist temptation. It is through God's strength that we must overcome. "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" (Luke 11:10). If we seek a true and deeper knowledge of God, and we ask for His power, He enables us as the body of Christ to take on the impossible task.
Are we on fire for God in our community? How about as a community? The body of Christ is meant to work together for a reason. It is our common will to know God and our common prayers that unite us and bring about real change. It’s a will to know God not just on an academic level, but on a relational level and a community level. Going deeper in our relationship with God brings us closer to each other and united we not only stand against the world, but ready to invade.

What are you doing to 'go deeper' for God? I know I need to do more.

Sensing God

2006-10-02T11:05:00.000-07:00

by: Rachel Neumeister

If you’re like me, you will struggle every once in awhile (if not regularly) with sensing and feeling God. Oftentimes He feels so distant and even though we’ve been told time and again that He is always there, we are alone. As the cold sets in, days get shorter and stress gets higher, spiritual dryness creeps in on us. Although these few months of the year may be difficult, it helps (me, at least) to see God in everything.

The majestic trees on campus seem to possess God’s presence: the array of colors in the fall, their strength through the winter storms; they are unchanging from season to season.

People on the bus make me realize how blessed I am to know the truth. One can only imagine the walks of life they have come from, and how desperately each one needs to know the truth. From the pregnant teenager to the sad old man, God loves each one of them as much as He does you or I.

Clear your thoughts. It’s no wonder we feel God is distant when we crowd our schedules; he doesn’t even get a chance to enter our thoughts. Take time to simply sit and think. At least give God the opportunity to reveal himself!

Think of the wonderful privilege we have of attending Emmanuel Bible College with those of the same faith who have chosen to dedicate this season of their lives to seek God’s will. To be able to live in a community of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ is something that some believers can only wish for.

Think of His sheer size. “Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? …He picks up the islands as though they had no weight at all (Isaiah 40:12, 15). And yet He still longs to be our friend, as insignificant as we are in this universe.

Take a camera and go for a walk. Take pictures of things that display God’s handiwork, or things that mean something to you.

Peter warns us that we will have hardships in this life. It is important to acknowledge that we are only human and are weak in and of ourselves. If we prepare ourselves for this period of the year, perhaps will be stronger and better equipped to weather the storm.

Share It!

2006-09-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

The devotionals page is for you to take the opportunity to share with your fellow students what God is teaching you. Has God revealed something to you lately in your time with him? Is there something God is prompting you to share? We ought to take our own insights from God and use them to encourage and serve each other.

"This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 3:6