Bended Worship Ministry

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example,
that you should follow in his steps.” This is how Peter put it [1 Pet.2:21] and many more places in the Bible you could see such tone continually emphasized, what more of the many examples of those who have followed Christ before us and even now these present times of those who truly and faithfully stand in the gap.

The Lord Jesus himself said [and what more example of an emphasis we need!], “and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” And because we have pampered brothers and sisters with the love and grace of God we see [no matter how we will excuse ourselves] Christians that are not ready for what will come and that are just there going along with the flow of the world. I do not mean to disrespect the love and grace of God, actually, if we truly will tell believers the true intent of God’s grace and love we will see already Christians that are there standing in the gap!

But what does it say?

“To this you were called…” To this I am called. Does this speak to you even as it has spoken to me? Do you see yourself as someone called to this? I know that I am called to this and count it a privilege. And that this will fill my life…my expectations [the Lord faithfully and mercifully give grace].

There are three things here. Notice the progression.

Christ suffered for you

This is the first and it says there…”because.” As a believer it says there that you are called to this because Christ suffered for you! Today we fear tell believers that they will suffer, that the service of the gospel carries along with it a life of suffering. Like one preacher say it…we sugarcoat the truth!

But what is this suffering? Is it just the difficulties of life that everyone else experiences? Here we fall short. We have taken suffering as general, as just the daily difficulties of life. But what does the Lord say “Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.” [John 15:20]

It says it clearly there; the suffering is…”because Christ suffered for you.” This is not just some difficulties. This is what the Lord meant when he said we will have troubles. It is troubles and suffering that come along from one’s faithful and courageous stand for the gospel! And to this I am called, to this you were called!
An example left

You see this suffering did not stop at us. It is an example the Lord left. We are called to this suffering. We are called to live out the truth of this example. Well, if there is an example, isn’t it meant to be emulated? Paul said “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” [1 Cor.11:1]. How then can we see Christians walking as witnesses if this example is not emulated? And this example of a life that suffers has one purpose- “In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering” [Heb.2:10]

“In bringing many sons to glory…” what a glorious calling we have. No wonder the Apostle Paul will say “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him…” [Phil.1:29 notice the tone of Chapters 1 and 2. Is not about the gospel and Paul’s life in it and the Philippians culminating with the Lord Jesus coming down, becoming like a servant with that exhortation in the beginning that this should be our attitude also]

Following in Christ’s footsteps

What a privilege? And who is equal to such a tasks…Paul quipped. God give us grace. But we are just to be willing. We are just to be surrendered. We are just to be there and say…”Lord…here I am.” And this is where those given the privilege to speak…speak! That many may be made willing, that many may see their lives surrendered and that many will step forward before the Lord and say…”Lord…here I am.”

Suffering for others, a thing that truly gives us sometimes a sense of foreboding but let us keep in mind and heart what Paul said “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” [Rom.8:16-18]

To this we are called, that the world may see and realize that Christ suffered for them too and that they may see this example of a life that is willing…yes!…even as we see ourselves faithfully, courageously following in his footsteps.

There’s something that happens in the love of God. In fact many things happen. We are speaking here of God who is the Almighty…to whom there’s nothing that’s impossible. How can I live before this reality and see His very love that was shed abroad in my heart?

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ–to the glory and praise of God. Phil.1:9-11

First, there’s an abounding [and that is more and more] in knowledge and depth of insight. The believer will see this. He sees himself growing even as seeks to humble himself [and sometimes God even provides those humbling situations- 2Cor.12:7]. God always do these things as we see in this prayer, these are His clear desire and expectation. He will always give grace to one who will so desire and answer to God’s expectation.

Second, derived from growing in knowledge and depth of insight [1Cor.2:9-16; 2Peter 3:17-18] is the capacity to discern what is best. And what is best but the unfolding of God’s plan that He has for you. What do you see when a believer grows in knowing Christ? You will see him laying down his life. He will have the compelling love of Christ stirred in him. Is this not what’s its says there on Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” See what happens? There will be a growing capacity to approve what is God’s will and not just that, but His good, pleasing and perfect will. God’s word will always speak as one!

Third is the fruit of righteousness and this is what God is after…that we should be fruitful. But it’s the fruit of righteousness and not just some fruits. God is after a bountiful harvest! He desires us to harvest! Is this what you see in your life? Listen to this word in Hebrews 12:11 that is in the context of discipline [God’s love will always discipline], “No discipline seem pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have trained by it.”

Do you see yourself growing in knowledge and depth of insight? Do you see yourself becoming able to discern what is best? Are you harvesting? Know that God’s love does not end at the cross. His love will always seek a fruitful work in you.

This is God’s will.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” [Acts 1:8]

The whole matter is about this. The Church for now exists for this, that even as it is being built up [God surely builds-up His Church] witnesses abound. And as witnesses is always called upon to the stand [for what use are witnesses for], so a witness of Christ must always take his stand every given opportunity to witness for Christ. For a believer who love God everything, every moment will be an opportunity.

“…when the Holy Spirit comes on you” the Lord said, this is what He will do, He will make witnesses. So you see we will not be at a loss as to the working of the Holy Spirit, for when the Spirit is mightily at work we will see witnesses being raised and standing faithfully and courageously for the witness of Christ [Phil.1:27-28].

There will be true empowerment. We have come to think that empowerment is about believers studying, attending seminars or what, and God said “But you will receive power…” and that is just that, we can never add to that. The moment the Holy Spirit indwells a believer, he is already empowered…He already has power…power is indwelling him. And that alone makes him a witness!

Seminars are good, training facilities are good and I will go to study if God is willing but I will not be there thinking that I will be empowered doing so. Instead we can be in such knowing and with great expectation that we will grow in our grasp, of our understanding [Spiritual] of the very empowering that we already have. This must be stressed!

And the Holy Spirit will have no limit of the use of God’s word [2Tim.3:16-17], He has all the facility of God’s word in order that God’s desire, that in a given time and place, there will be a witness or witnesses faithfully witnessing for Christ. This is where our gracious God is at work in the preparation of His saints to be witnesses. This is why God gave Pastors and teachers, to bring His people to know and to see the anointing that they already have in Christ. And God will provide every opportunity [He is the one who opens doors] so that a believer will have opportunity to use everything that God has given.

Are a believer? You must see yourself becoming a witness of Christ.Is your Church growing?  You will know. There will be witnesses multiplied.

“And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”” [Gen.22:14]

When we think of God providing and of provisions we usually thinks of things. The good Lord truly provides us with everything we need, everything that can be enjoyed [and let us be thankful]…even as we asked. But to the Lord, the provision speaks of something more precious, because to Him provision is about Him, the true Bread of Life, to whom everyone who comes will never go hungry and to whom everyone who believes will never go thirsty [John 6:31-35].

This is the lesson that Abraham learned there on the mount. In the calling where God calls us: “As you come to him, the living Stone-rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ- The Lord will provide.

a. The opportunity of the offering. Is it not God who called…”take now your son, your only son Isaac…” it is God who provides opportunity for the offering [Eph.5:15-16; Phil.2:12-13]. In doing also, God calls us into Himself and there’s no other more profound God has given us to know him more but this. “Oh that God will give us ears to hear, that we will be like the sheep that knows their shepherds voice, then we will hear, we will know and we will see when God provides the opportunity. And God make us willing.”

b. The Cost of the offering. The provision of God speaks of the offering. God called us into life that becomes an offering. And He Himself provided the very cost of the offering and there will be no offering that will be accepted but those that are through Jesus Christ-God’s provision.

That is why in giving us opportunities to offer [as He provides], God calls us to Himself because He calls us in the offering that He Himself made- the offering up of His Son, so that everyone who will believe will not perish but have life.

“…as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.””

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” [1 John 1:5-7]

“God is light!” This is the testimony of His word, “in Him there is no darkness at all.” It is in the light of this awesome truth that our Lord enjoined us-“You are the light of the world.” This is the truth of the fellowship that we have with our God through His Son Jesus Christ that to us there should be no darkness at all; that we become light for the world. And if we truly walk with Him, this is true.

But what does light do? Well, it shines, it is meant to shine…light is meant to give light around wherever you may find one. Light that is not shining is absurd; it is not light at all. Light is meant to give light where darkness is! But what do we see when the light shines, this particular light that is God’s light?

We should be clear about this matter:

We will see saved lives. Yes! The world will see saved lives! They will see Christians…believers. This is one most important truth in witnessing that must be taught and stressed, one that is seemingly lost these days; the world will see Christians, they will see believers. You may be an aroma of death or you may be an aroma of life [God make us both] it does not matter. What matters is that, they will see SAVED lives! I am not saying that the world will see perfect lives but…just…saved lives. The witness of a saved life even in the midst and the abounding of sin will be unmistakable [Rom.5:20b].

This is one reason that there seem to be a great lack of witness in the world. We say, “Look to Jesus”, but if they can’t see Jesus in us, then where can they look. We cannot detach “the saved lives” from the “Savior”, and it is because it is in seeing saved lives that the truth of a Savior is emphasized.

Yes! This is one great truth that when the light shines, the world will see saved lives.

We will see the Savior. Actually, this is where this all started. But God in His unsearchable wisdom and His grace has put the witness of Christ in all those that are being saved. When the world see saved lives, when they begin to see Christians…believers, then they will see Christ. This is the way God has put it.

We will see God’s salvation. This is what we desire and this where we are getting at. “For God so loved the world that He gave is one only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” When the light Shines, the world will see Christians…the Church [for what we are], they will see Christ [he is the very light by whom we shine], and then they will see the salvation of God. We must have focus on the issue. Christ came to save sinners. He came to save. He is the salvation of God for the world.

Let us not just be going around in circles. We seem to have contented ourselves at the periphery of things. But God’s witness is direct. Christ came to save! There must be those that are saved and being saved! There must be salvation in the world!

This is what it is when we see the light…even as it shines!

“Enoch lived 65 years, and begot Methuselah. After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walk with God 300 years…” [Genesis 5:21-24]

Life is about walking with God. The experience of life for the Christian is in knowing and seeing himself in a day to day walk with God. And this is His call to us; that we walk with Him…just simply walk with Him. One thing that God desires most is for Him to reveal himself to us [John 14:21-23, the keeping of commands there implying that faithful walk] and this is why He calls us to walk with Him, so that we will be close to Him and readily see Him, to see him in all that he do [John 5:19-20;15:15].

To receive revelations of Christ, this alone equips a believer. God wants that every Child of him comes to know Him and experience Him firsthand! And He calls to each and every one, as if the Lord is saying…engaged me!

Want to walk with God?

There are multitudes of spiritual matters but for this just two:

God just wants you to agree with Him.

When God speaks and tells you a thing, He is not just making some suggestions as if we are to weigh if it’s okay or not, He speaks the Truth. His words are truth; they are the absolutes of life [John 6:63; 17:17]. What’s there for us is to agree. This is why one must need first to be saved because flesh can never agree with God [Gen.6:3; 1Cor.2:14; Rom.8:5-7]. He speaks to the new man, the new creation. And when a child of God is living like that and he is led by the Holy Spirit, and he is mindful of himself as a new man, and a new creation, then he walks with God [He has the capacity always to agree with God. “Can two walk together except they be agreed?” The word of God speaks. And I say God speaks Truth [He is the Truth], and He speaks life [He is Life] and he just desires for us to agree.

And then we receive! We see Him and He is before us. Isn’t it what it is when we follow Christ, when we walk with Him? He is before us, and we see Him clear, and he is with us. Praise God!

So now you walk with Him and you agree.

Now what?

God now gives you the Vision.

There may be many visions that we will speak of but to our God there is only one. Yes, we may see visions but this will always speak of that one Vision and that is Christ! Listen to this…”…The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being” [Heb.1:1-3]. And to Philip the Lord Jesus said, “…Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father…” [John 14:8-11].

Christ is God’s vision for us. He is the revelation! We ask God for visions when God has already given us the Vision. And we just have to walk with Him.

It’s just like when God spoke to the disciples, “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them,   a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” [Matt.17:5]

It’s like the Lord saying:

Come walk me, agree with me and let me show my faithfulness to you. Come walk with me and experience me firsthand, my love for you. See me also merciful and kind. I will tell you of the hope I have given you and of my power that is at work in you.

Come walk with me, agree with me and receive what I have planned for you and see how I will fulfill everything and finish this good work I have begun in you.

Oh there’s no end to this!This is God’s desire…that we may just simply walk with Him.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth….”[Gen.1:26-28]

The word here in the first chapter of Genesis is, “in the beginning”. And as in everything, when there’s a beginning there will be, as to be expected…the end. And every believer should expect! God desires us to expect for this is how faith works [Heb.11:1; 6]. But, what are we to expect?

Here in the very beginning God has declared his desire, he has begun a mighty work, and this is what we as Christians, believer of Christ should expect. But no! we shouldn’t just be expecting, but desiring too…pursuing [Phil.2:12]; we should be actively, consciously engaging our loving God on this matter that his heart desire most…”Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness….;”

The beginning, the end.

This is one outstanding nature of God’s word. When it is spoken, it is deemed done! It has in its power the very beginning and the end of things that God has purposed [Isa.55:11]. Why? He is God! And let us just worship! He said “I have spoken. Who can annul?” And he lives forever! He is the almighty who said, “Is there anything too hard for me.” And here stands the witness. He will either prove God’s word and persevere till the end or be found wanting because of unbelief [Heb.10:37-39]. But our hope and prayer is that we all stand confident in the day of Christ.

The image is Christ

Here is the issue. God’s work is not just about things, it’s is not just about gifts, and it’s not even just about the ministries [as we have come to see God’s work is], it is about Christ and the bringing of many sons to glory. And the image here is Christ! In the very beginning, when God said, “Let us make man in Our image…” it is Christ there that is in view. That’s why it is said there…”in the beginning.” It looks to its fulfillment and its end who’s none other but Christ [Rev.1:8].

And so here it is…God mightily at work:

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person…” [Heb.1:1-3]

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who loved God, to those who are the according to His purpose. For whom he foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren…” [Rom.8:28-30]

“But we all, with unveiled faces, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image [likeness NIV] from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” [2Cor.3:18]

The ministry:

“And He himself gave some to be apostles…pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ [The fullness of the image].”

Here Paul’s heart and cry:

“My dear children for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.” [Gal.4:19]

Our Hope:

“I now rejoice in my sufferings…To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you the hope of glory….” [Col.1:24-28]

Yes we have hope and we are confident. God will finish what he has begun [Phil.1:6]. And we will be as God’s has expressed…”Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is [1John 3:1-2].”

Let us have our eyes fix on Christ!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…, “[1Peter 1:3]

Hope is light. A life that is full of hope is a life that is full of light. The word of God says that we have not just received hope, we are birthed into it. And it’s not just some hope as having hope that is like the world which is based on temporal things, it is a living hope. And so we see here that our joy as Christians does not just rest in our knowledge of just having hope but that in the world we become the embodiment of hope. And so the light shines!

New life

As the Lord’s witnesses, this is what we are called for. It’s not actually just telling the world how God has loved, or how Christ died…risen, it’s letting them see new life [1Thess.1:4-10]. There is no equal to the power of the testimony of a new life. It is said there that we have been given “new birth”; that this is into a “living hope” and, are we realizing this. If we are, then there should be the testimony of life there wherever you are, and this hope that we have, this hope that we have become spreads all around. O’ that we come to stand and live true to who we are in Christ!

God is merciful

This is another. When this hope that is in us is testified upon and that the light of life is shining [John 1:4] then is witnessed abroad- God is merciful. You know, the world needs to see God and that he is merciful. And what’s that in God being merciful, it is that…he pardons sins [Ex.34:6-7]. How many times we have encountered someone and him blubbering, “I have no hope, I am too much a sinner, God is angry at me and God will not be able to forgive me anymore!” If they would just see the mercies of God and that he is always willing to pardon! And that’s what it’s said there, “In his great mercy he has given us new birth…” Let us live this new life, and let them see in us this hope that we have that they too may see how great are the mercies of our God.

Jesus lives!

This is one powerful truth and what gives power to everything that we have just said. It is “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” that we have a “living hope.” It is through him resurrected that God in his great mercy has given us new birth. Hope is living because Jesus lives! Yes, Jesus lives! O’ that they may see that what we have is the living God; that he is the life that we have; that he is the hope that we have.

Does our life tell of the hope that is in us?

Do our way of living tell…this new life?

Does our life show God is merciful?

Is the way we live show Jesus is alive?

You don’t have to answer that. Let us just come to God and pray. And let him make us mighty witnesses of the hope that is us.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth [Psalm 46:10].”

There is something in being still as God commands and meant that is so deep. Something that is so intimate. It is God’s express desire to be intimate with every child that he so loved! Are you a child of God? Then this is for you. Don’t lose now any moment to do just that, in the grace of him who called us, seek to “be still” [the Lord shows us how], and received what God is set to do in your life.

Being Still

Being still speaks something not just of us but of who God is. For who can truly still his self? God alone gives us rest and in him alone we could have perfect peace. Again this speaks of what God does first, that in knowing him a believer is brought in such a state that he could truly see himself able to be “still” no matter what the circumstances. Notice that the Chapter starts in a testimony and all along it’s all a testimony of who God is; what he is able to do and not just of what he is able to do but of what he is already doing. “God is within her, she will not fall,”, and, “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” All of this precedes everything because before all things is God!

He is God

This is the issue. Until we come to see that it’s not about us, and that it’s all about God, we will never be still. And we are brought into this, yes, his desire for us to see ourselves “stilled” in his presence, his goodness, his greatness is just the way for us to know him more, to see him more…the one who has said- “I know my plans for you…”, The God who will always be our ever present help in troubles; the God who promised to be the one who will fight our battles. Are you in for some tough times, the Lord may just be speaking to you even now, in that very circumstance you find yourself in. There he says, “know that I am God”, and his words are clear. A child of God cannot mistake that. This is the God who “sits on the circle of the earth”, he looks and all just seem like “grasshoppers’; the earth just like handful of dust in a bucket. This is the God who said- “I have spoken and who can annul.” He is God, and he said- “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me [Psalm 50:15].” Are you living a life that is of the Gospel [I just want to emphasize this]? And there are troubles all around? The Lord said…”Is there anything too hard for me?”

“You shall Glorify Me”

Here we come into focus. The gist of everything we have said. The Lord said- “I will be exalted in all the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” This is what’s it’s all about! Being still is to know him God! Being still is to see him exalted! Is this the desire of your heart? A life that is learned in “being still” is a life that is continually, and is progressively knowing God. It is a God-exalting life. A witnessing life! Is this not what he has done in giving us Christ? See- “Therefore “God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father [Phil.2:9-11].” You see, Christ exalted is God exalted. Let every knee now bow! Let every tongue now confess! Jesus Christ is Lord and what for- “to the glory of God the Father.” This is our help. This is the one who is within her. This is the one who said he is our rock, the fortress. This is our refuge! Is this not what it means “being still?”

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Ephesians 4:4-12

God is building up His Temple. This is the real score. And if you ask me my calling then I will tell you that it is to be just one little brick or as the word of God put it, “a living stone”, yes, just one of the many that will make up this one magnificent edifice. I tell you brothers and sisters, this is the apple of His eyes. There nothing more that our gracious Father is much concerned of and has His utmost attention but this- His Church.

There is one “body.” The word of God says it. And here believers are given “grace as Christ apportioned it.” This is also what it means when it says there that “He gave gifts to men [see also Romans 12:4-8; 1Cor.12:4-20].” God is very consistent here. He is God! Now we have come to believe that these gifts or this grace that has been given is the calling, and that one’s calling is his gifts. [Though there is some truth in that] Actually this is not the real deal. The real deal is that God is building up His temple and in this grandiose undertaking he calls on us [1Peter 2:4-5]…”As you come to him, the Living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him – you also like living stones are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” This is our Calling!

But what are the gifts or this grace that is apportioned to all believers, what’s about it? Here it is. In keeping with consistency Paul then wrote-“It was he who gave some to be apostles…and some to be pastors and teachers”, and for what, “to prepare God’s people for works of service [there’s your grace apportioned, there’s your gifts given to men]”, “so that the body of Christ may be built up.”

You see, God called us to be a peculiar people.

God called us to be a chosen generation.

God called us to be his own people.

God called us to be a holy priesthood.

God called us to offer up the sacrifice of his praise

God called us to be his Church, the Body of Christ.

What a great God we have! That in all his greatness he chose us, his Church to be his dwelling place for all eternity. It is for this express desire that Christ laid down his life [Ephesians 5:25]. Let the Church rise now to be what God purposed her to be. Let her become now the grand display of the greatness of our God! This is our Calling.