Day 20 of 50

READING GUIDE:

• Read today's devotion below.
• During days 15-21 (at your own pace) read chapters 7 thru 10 from Joining Jesus on His Mission.
• After days 15-21, meet with your small group and follow the back-of-the-book discussion guide for SESSION 3

"Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." (1 Corinthians 12:27 ESV)

I'll never forget it. I'll spare you the details. But I'll never forget that lowest time of my life. It was a time when I felt all the chips were down. I felt sorry for my actions, miserable, depressed, rejected. And then the phone rang. My friend Paul called me out of (seemingly) nowhere, "How are you doing, Craig? You don't sound like yourself..." As the conversation continued, a weight lifted. I felt the beginnings of being restored. I heard the good news again. I firmly believe God used my friend Paul to call me at exactly the right time. Not kind of the right time. Exactly the right time.

Have you had a similar experience? How has God used another to restore you with His good news? How has another been the body of Christ to?

In chapter 10, Finke explains, "Being 'the body of Christ' is not simply a theological metaphor Paul utilizes. It is a statement of fact. Because the Spirit of Jesus lives in us, we are literally the visible body of the invisible Jesus to the people around us...Through our hands people experience the hands of Jesus. Through our voice people hear the voice of Jesus. Through our service people experience the care of Jesus. Through our face people see the face of Jesus."

Look at the those in you life. 

Remember how God used others to share the good news of Jesus to you. 

Then ask yourself...

Who in my life is "ready for some news that is good"? 

Who in my life is "ready for a little hope, a little help, a little grace"? 

Who in my life is "ready for a cool cup of water of truth"?