Week 3 of Pastor Riley’s sabbatical. This week he became Grandpa to another little boy. And he’ll be visiting a church that has grown to over 10,000 people in the last ten years, in an area the size of Marion County. Pretty cool, huh? Don’t forget to keep praying for Pastor Riley & Karen’s rest, relaxation, and renewal during this time. Here’s this week’s devotion from upperroom.org.

Read Ephesians 4:1-16

24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

I was pleased. A few more pieces to go, and the giant puzzle would be finished. As I fitted the pieces together, I thought about how beautiful the puzzle scene would look when it was complete. I had been working on it for several days. Then, I discovered that one piece was missing. This annoyed me. I felt that all the time and energy I had invested had been a waste. Without that piece, the picture would not be complete and beautiful.
I drew a spiritual parallel to this. We in the church sometimes resemble those puzzle pieces. God has invested time and life itself in each of us. When we are united and complete we shine, and we can rejoice in that. However, when someone is absent or is not in the congregation there is an empty spot, a missing piece. The church is much more beautiful when all the pieces of the puzzle are in place.

Prayer
Dear God, help us to value the blessing of being part of the Body of Christ, your
church. Amen.

Thought for the week
Each member is an essential part of the Body of Christ.