Daily Devotional
Do You Love What Jesus Loves?
“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.”
1 Corinthians 12:12
March 23, 2023
Ponder This
In Scripture, there are many ways that the Church is described. For example, the Church is described as the bride of Christ. He is the Bridegroom, and we are the bride. The Church is described as His building, not a physical building, but a spiritual building with Christ as the foundation and us as living stones. The Church is described as a flock of sheep. We’re the sheep of His pasture, and Jesus is the Good Shepherd who leads His flock. Finally, the Church is the body of Christ. He is the head, and we’re the members. Whether it be a bride, a flock, or a building, all these illustrations of the Church speak of community. None speaks of individualism. It speaks of togetherness. We’re in this together. The Bible teaches we are members, one of another.
Now if people say, “I believe in Jesus, but I don’t believe in the Church,” there is a lot they don’t understand. Jesus and the Church are not identical, but Jesus and the Church are inseparable like a bride and a groom; a head and a body; a foundation and a building; or a shepherd and a flock. All of these go together. So don’t say yes to Jesus and no to the Church. When you say that, you are missing a major part of the heart of God. Love for Jesus and love for what Jesus loves are inseparable.
- When have you struggled to love the Church? Why can this be difficult?
- How have you been blessed by the Church?
Practice This
Find a way to practically love and serve others in your church.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
