Truth Seekers Newsletter
August 12, 2007: The Brains of the Operation
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As we continue our study of the Body, we consider the myriad of things that are going on at once and realize there must be some Order in it all.
The Body is like a city, teaming with activity ... one that never slumbers nor sleeps. How can everything possibly happen in such a relatively small space without having a major traffic jam or things shutting down all together?
What Can't You Do Without?
While there are many parts of the body that we do not wish to be without, there are some without which the Body absolutely cannot survive. The heart and brain are two of them. The two indicators of death to the body are when activity ceases in the heart and the brain.
As a Person Thinks, So are They!
Many of the most powerful verses in the Bible have to do with the concept that what we think internally in our mind then manifests in some form in an external way. Even many non-Christians have grasped the concept of thinking translating into action. Every positive or negative action is considered first in the mind.
How Did Jesus Heal?
Look at the woman, who had an issue of blood. She was healed by Jesus, but when did that healing activate? Read Matthew 9:21. "She thought" if she could only touch Jesus, then she would be healed.
The woman's mind lined up with the Mind of Christ. Jesus wanted to heal her and she was ready to accept it. When she was willing to submit to Jesus' Power and no longer to her lack of power or the lack of power from others (the Bible also tells us that she had suffered many things at the hands of many doctors), Jesus gave the command and she was healed.
The parts of the physical body submit to the commands of the brain. If I place my hand on something hot, a message is sent to my brain that says, "This is hot. I want to move my hand." The brain, in response, sends the commands to the muscles and bones of the arm and hand to move my hand, and it is done.
A Blind Man Sees!
Look at the blind man described in Luke 18:41. Jesus asked him what he wanted. Why would Jesus ask such a silly question? Wasn't it obvious what the man wanted? Didn't Jesus already know what he wanted?
Jesus wanted the man to form the thought in his mind. He wanted the man to picture himself, not as blind, but as seeing. In order to answer Jesus, the man had to activate his mind to say, "I want to see."
What is Faith?
Faith is seeing things the way that God sees them and then submitting to His Commands to make it so.
In Matthew 17:20, Jesus told His Disciples, if they had faith, even as small as a tiny mustard seed, they could say to the mountain to move and it would go far away. Jesus emphasized what He said by saying, "Nothing would be impossible."
Do We Have to Pay for What We Want With Faith?
Some people think Jesus is saying, "If you get what you want ... good job ... it means that you had enough faith. If you don't get what you want ... well, sorry ... you just didn't have enough faith. Come back when you have more."
No, Jesus made it plain that He could work with even a little, tiny bit of faith. The first step in generating action within the physical body is the part of the body communicating with the brain. The next step is submitting to the action of the brain. In the Body of Christ, we communicate our needs to God through prayer and then we submit to His Command.
OK, So I Sent My Request to God, But He Didn't Answer Me. WHY???
There is a time for everything. Go back and read about moving that mountain. I find nothing that guarantees that mountain will be moved instantly! Because the brain is the brain, it knows that for the body to function, everything must operate within a given time frame. If everything moved at once, there would be a traffic jam and nothing would work.
Like members of a choir, each member has times when they act and other times when they rest. Sometimes the action that we want is not instant, because it must fit in with the overall mission of the Body. Frequently we forget that it is not just about us, the individual members. What happens with each of us happens within the context of the larger Body of Christ.
The Action of One Member Affects Other Members!
When I was very ill some years ago, I had done everything I knew to participate positively in my healing. Still it seemed as if nothing was happening. In fact, I seemed to grow worse with every passing day.
When I was ventilating to a friend, she lovingly said, "Carolyn, have you considered that this illness might not just be about you. God may be teaching others through your illness. What is happening with you and the way in which you respond is affecting others."
How Do We Know What God Has In Mind?
If lining up with God is such an important part of getting things done, how do we know what God's Will is? Is it really possible for members of the Body to know the Mission of the whole Body?
Many times we don't realize that we are part of a larger mission. We become so focused on being the one part of the body that we are, that we starting thinking our neighborhood is the whole world. If we are a finger in the Body of Christ, we become preoccupied with fingers and forget that we are only a part of what God is doing for the whole Body.
What is the Mission of the Body of Christ?
Mark 16:15 tells us plainly the Mission Jesus has for His Body. We are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere!
How Will We Accomplish This?
We acknowledge that God is in charge. We submit to His Direction. We obey His Commands. Like good choir members, we look to Him and sing only the part that is our part, at the very time that He directs us to sing. We rest when He says rest.
We trust that He has a Plan, both for us individually and for us as the whole Body of Christ. We praise Him for allowing us to be a part of His Body and we treasure the Oneness that we have through Him.
The Gift of Being Part of the Body of Christ!
In John 14:27, Jesus said, "I am leaving you with a Gift – Peace of mind and heart!" When we are a part of His Body, we have all the benefits that can only come from Him ... Peace, Joy and the ultimate Love.
And having received those gifts, Philippians 4:4-7 tells us how to enjoy them every day. Every system of the Body is constantly renewing itself, staying ever fresh and pure, minute to minute. A good start to this renewal is reading out loud, at least once a day, Philippians 4:4-7!
Come up to God's Command Center and enjoy the view of His Body at work!
Always be full of joy in the Lord;
I say it again, Rejoice!
Let everyone see that you are unselfish and considerate in all you do.
Remember that the Lord is coming soon!
Don't worry about anything;
Instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs,
And don't forget to thank Him for His Answers.
If you do this, you will experience God's Peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.
His Peace will keep your thoughts and hearts quiet and at rest, as you trust in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7 (TLB)
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