Living Stones

Living Stones

Do you know that we are called ‘Living Stones’ by Peter?

How does that relate to us today?

How does God build a temple using living stones?  When His spirit resides in us, we become the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Together we build His church, stone by stone. United with one cause and living in community.

1 Peter 2:5 NIV
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:4 MSG
[ The Stone ] Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you'll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God. The Scriptures provide precedent: Look! I'm setting a stone in Zion, a cornerstone in the place of honor. Whoever trusts in this stone as a foundation will never have cause to regret it. To you who trust him, he's a Stone to be proud of, but to those who refuse to trust him, The stone the workmen threw out is now the chief foundation stone. For the un-trusting it’s.. . a stone to trip over, a boulder blocking the way. They trip and fall because they refuse to obey, just as predicted.

In ancient times the people could understand the construction of temples out of stone.  They lived among many pagan temples used for worship right in the heart of their cities.  These temples would have a huge god or goddess sometimes 200 feet tall, made of marble some overlaid with gold, for all to see.  People would offer food and clothing to the idol as sacrifices and then say, “look what our god has provided”, allowing those in need to come and take what they wished.  They saw this ‘god’ as a provider for their needs.  So when Jesus said He would build His temple out of living stones. He meant He was going to place His spirit inside of us and take up residency.  We would have to be chiseled into the right shape and then placed where He could use us as part of His temple.  This was a big deal to those who would choose to now follow Jesus.  They didn't want to sacrifice to idols, yet if they didn't they weren't allowed to sell their products in the marketplace.

 Act 2:42

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

So what was better about the latter?  The believers were listening to God’s Word.  They were enjoying God and the fellowship of other believers.  They found community and had everything in common.  They were learning to help each other and care for one another.  They witnessed many wonders and signs.  Their material possessions were not as important any more.  There was more contentment and satisfaction in being in the presence of the one true God and His people than living apart from Him.  They were being baptized and forgiven of sin.  They were showing generosity and taking care of others.  They continued to meet and eat together.  This made their hearts glad.  They now had purpose and peace.  There was unity among them.  Others wanted to be a part of this community and their numbers grew daily.  Together they were being built into God’s temple.

Piece by piece, some stones needed more chiseling and shaping than others in order that they might all fit together for one common purpose.

Since you are the temple of the Holy Spirit how has God had to shape you into fitting in to His overall temple?

How has He gifted you to contribute to your community? 

Have you found purpose and peace?

When we are in unity with one another, God is able to do so much more through us, than when we are scattered and isolated.  We were created for community.

Will you let Him build you into His temple? He may need to do a little shaping or chiseling, but you can become one of His ‘living stones’ building a place for all to find comfort, belonging and have their physical, emotional and spiritual needs met and pointing others to the one-true living God.

The Healing Balm

For this fall 2011 in Women's Ministry at the Crossing, God had been impressing upon me that He is the Healing Balm. Jeremiah 46:11 says, "Oh virgin daughter Egypt, climb into the mountains of Gilead, get healing balm.  You will vainly collect medicines, for nothing will be able to cure what ails you." This means to me that Jesus is the only place to get true healing.  

Balm was taken from a tree in the form of a gum/rosin and highly esteemed of great value for its medicinal qualities. Contracted from Bal'sam, a general name for many oils or resinous substances which flow or trickle from certain trees or plants when an incision is made through the bark. Jesus is that balm.

All other remedies will not work or last. There is no other lasting cure. What are you using to cope besides Jesus?

Next, we women are to be that healing balm to our families.  No matter what circumstance you find yourself in, if God has put you there, He is asking you to show Christ's unconditional love to those around you so that they may find Him as their healer, too.

Finally, after we are healthy and whole, and our families are headed in the right direction, we can then take this healing balm to our community.  Freely giving to those in need. 

What are the possibilities when we are free in Christ to serve and show others the love of Jesus.

God wanted to make known to those among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.  I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me.  Colossians 1:27.28

Personally designated men gathered the captives together, dressed the ones who were naked using clothes from the stores of plunder, put shoes on their feet, gave them all a square meal, provided first aid to the injured, put the weak ones on donkeys, and then escorted them to Jericho, the City of Palms, restoring them to their families.

2 Chronicles 28:15

We are all in different stages on our journey, where are you?

Gatherer-rescuer, staying strong and able to bring others alongside you.

Captive- injured, weak- needing God to heal, restore and redeem you.

Through community Bible study we are on this journey together.  If you are willing to be healed, God has great plans for you.  Comes join us to the road of healthy living in Christ.

In His service,

Laura Balch