Reading Paul's Epistles

We have had a wonderful two days with Pastor Mike Ray from Hopewell Baptist Church in Napa, CA.  He has preached to our teens during the day and to our church during the evening services.  It has been exciting.  He is a great preacher, has a delightful humor, and presents a strong Bible message.  I'm reading in the latter parts of the New Testament, and will be finishing up in a few days and starting all over again.  Here are some thoughts: 1) BE A PILLAR- In I Tim. 3:15, Paul says that the church is: "the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."  The church is a pillar and ground (foundation) of the truth.  Now the truth is Christ Jesus and His Word. (I am the way, the truth, and the life...; thy word is truth...)  But we are these "lively stones" ( 1 Peter 2:5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.) built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ.  1Co 3:11  "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."  So the Bible teaches that Christ is the foundation (chief corner stone), and that we as believers are built upon HIM...   Now built upon Him is the pillars.... we ought to be pillars in the church!!  Not partitions, but pillars.  A partition is move-able, and temporary, but a pillar is solid, structural, and permanent!  Which are you?  Can Christ use us to build upon, or are we just for pretty?  We look good, but have no structure, nothing to put weight upon.  No, I want to be a pillar that Christ can use to build His church.  I like the pretty, but soon it gets dated and is replaced.  The structure, the pillar is forever ingrained in the form of the building.  It holds other things up!!  Let's be pillars in the Church!! 2) TO NAME A FEW- Paul had a practice of naming his co-workers in Christ.  A wonderful practice to give praise and mention to his co-laborers.  BUT... he also mentioned a few others....  II Tim. 4:10- "For Demas hath forsaken me..."  and II Tim. 4:14 "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:"  Wow!!  Did I read that right... let's see.... Yes!  I did!!  Paul not only mentioned those who were a blessing to him, but those who were a burden and opposition to him and the work of God.  Now, I'm not telling you to start naming your opposition, but I am telling you what Paul did.  If you were alive then... how would he name you?  How would I get named?  I certainly would be striving to be among his closest laborers.  Whether we name people or not, God knows their names and deals accordingly. 3) TODAY- Heb. 3:7 says: "Today if ye will hear his voice,"  This is talking about the voice of God, and it sort of sounds like God has something to say to you.... today.  That's right, today, God wants to speak to us.  Today God wants to commune with us... today!!  But, we have an option... "today if ye will hear his voice".  If ye will... will you??  Will we be quiet enough today to hear the voice of God?  Dear LORD, please help me to hear your voice today.... to walk in your ways.... to be sensitive to your leading... to be wholly yours!!  LORD, help be to listen so closely you do not need to shout to get my attention, but just whisper in my spirit...... and I will hear your voice and obey!  Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth.  Well, not enough time... I haven't covered much scripture today, but every truth is precious.  Have a blessed day dear friend, and walk with God .... today!!  Dr. Mike Mutchler