This post is Day 21 in a series of studies about “Followers of Jesus”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

Feel free to comment below with your own thoughts about each verse and how you will be acting on each thought. Also, if you haven’t yet signed up to receive the notifications of new studies, you can do that today (the form is at the bottom of the page).

Followers of Jesus – Day 21

Many problems have been caused in the past with people setting off as missionaries without fully understanding what it means. We are to meet people, and minister to them where they are spiritually and physically. People living in the deepest jungle do not want, or need, to change their culture.

1 Corinthians 12:27-28

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.

The Thought

This verse is further on in the same chapter as yesterday, but it emphasises that there are no onlookers in the body of Christ, no “pew-warmers” as I have heard them called. Everybody gets to play! More than that! Everybody should be playing. Jesus told His followers to take His love and His way of life into ALL the world. That’s a big area and it will take all of us to cover it.

Many problems have been caused in the past with people setting off as missionaries without fully understanding what it means. We are not to take with us our own culture. We are to meet people, and minister to them where they are spiritually and physically. People living in the deepest jungle do not want, or need, to change their way of life. But they need to learn that the greatest God is there where they are, and loves them just as they are.

But most of us are not called to be missionaries in the traditional sense of the word. Where God has placed us is our mission field. There are people living on your street that need Jesus. (mine too!) There are people in your neighbourhood who need to be loved, who need someone to listen to them, to help in an emergency, or just in daily life, which can be difficult for too many people.

Action

Ask The Lord today if there is someone you see regularly that needs a listening ear.

Ask Him to help you find those in your area who need a touch of love, a meal, or just a smile.

Dare to pray for the spiritual gifts from today’s verse, that you know you do not have.