Devotional Thought : Ephesians 4:11-13

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we… become mature...Ephesians 4:11-13

God has provided everything necessary for the church to grow. God gave the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of service so that the body of Christ would mature. The path to maturity is through “works of service”. Works of service covers a multitude of tasks: welcoming, nurturing, helping, leading, singing, playing music, writing, teaching, preaching. It’s good for us to encourage others, especially the young in the Lord, to try different areas of service until they find their gifts, their place in the Body.

Sometimes the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers that God gives us, come to us in disguise. They may be people who are not in full time ministry, they may be people who are gifted in artistic expression, and they may even be song writers. Christian songwriters are gifted by God, inspired by his word and by his Spirit. God has much he wants to impart to us and often he does it through new songs. New songs are like fresh bread, fresh manna for our souls. Are we availing ourselves of the opportunity to be built up as we connect to God through these songs?

God’s design is that we grow up into Christ (v.15). God has always something more for us. As parents we notice that our children get bored with those things that amused them when they were younger. Likewise we will get bored spiritually if we do not press on to grow up into Christ.