Oct 4th

1 Kings 7     Ezekiel 37     Ephesians 4     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

The last couple of chapters of Ezekiel seemed a bit grim but all of a sudden we come to a wonderful (although slightly macabre) picture of a Israel, pictured as skeletons in a burial pit, being raised to new life. Israel in exile, far from their God, the life sucked out them could look forward to a time when God would free them, bring them home and once again be among them. This was a story that spoke powerfully to slaves in the America (‘Dem bones, dem bones, dem…dry bones’) as they longed for their own freedom – they probably understood it better than we.

It is God’s Spirit who brings them life (v14). Without his Spirit they are dry bones. With his Spirit all sorts of possibilities open up for the future.

Paul in Ephesians has been telling us quite how much God has done for us. In Ephesians 4 he tells us about the work of the Spirit in us as God not only gives us life but makes us vehicles through whom He brings life to others. He equips us for works of service (Eph 4:12-13) not just to build up others but to help us all become what He wants us to be: ‘attaining the whole measure of the fulness of Christ’.

What is God calling you to do to help others ‘attain the whole measure of the fulness of Christ’? What gifts has he given you? How should you use them?

(member of the congregation)