Jesus promised He was going to prepare a place for us. Some people think this place is in heaven. However, heaven needs no preparation. It does not need remodeling or cleaning. Rather, the Lord is preparing a place for us on earth, in His Church, in the body of Christ.
We all want to find out why He made us. We want to contribute to God's plan of salvation as only we can. We want meaning and fulfillment in our lives. Our hearts are troubled until we are what the Lord has called us to be and we're doing what He's called us to do (Jn 14:1).
Jesus has prepared for us this special and precious place in His body when He ascended on high and gave gifts to us (Eph 4:8). These gifts of the Spirit have brought forth apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers (Eph 4:11). These members of Christ's body equip the saints to build up the body of Christ, and many find their places in God's plan of salvation.
You are special. You are a member of the body of Christ. Your life is very important. By the power of the Holy Spirit, "take your place" (Acts 5:20).
| PRAYER: | Jesus, thank You for making me somebody, preparing me some place, and being my Someone. I love You. |
| PROMISE: | "Yet God raised Him from the dead, and for many days thereafter Jesus appeared to those who had come up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These are His witnesses now before the people." –Acts 13:30-31 |
| PRAISE: | Sandy was afraid to go into a funeral home. When her classmate died, she couldn't go near the casket. Then she met the risen Jesus, Who delivered her from the fear of death (see Heb 2:15). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College