Subject: TOGETHER WE PRAY #2, MUST IT BE EVERY SAINT? PRAYER EXCERPT FROM "TOGETHER WE PRAY" John 10:4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. Philippians 4:21-23 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The friends who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you especially, those of the emperor's household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Lord, must it be every "saint," every soul whom you have called, that I must greet with the love of Christ? Will you not excuse me from some who think differently, and who practice strange customs or teach a truth I have not known? But already, Lord, I know the look in your eyes-- - - how anxious is your heart lest I take my own directions and go off from the flock kept safe by your hand. Yours are the everlasting arms. They are strong to embrace all; they hold each of your Sheep. In those everlasting arms are my peace, safety, and home. I will greet every saint in Christ Jesus. Lord, help me now. Amen. Rev. Robert Dvorak, Superintendent The East Coast Conference Evangelical Covenant Church TOGETHER WE PRAY: Christian Prayers for Unity http://www.masscouncilofchurches.org/unity.htm Massachusetts Committee on Ecumenical Observance of the Millennium c/o Massachusetts Council of Churches 14 Beacon St., Room 416 Boston, MA 02108 ********************************************** EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER TWELVE, CONCLUSIONS TO CU PROPHECY For my part, if I'm going to lay down my life, and I have so decided, then I'm going to make sure it goes to *all* the members of the body of Christ; to all the same ones for whom Jesus laid down His. I refuse to lay down my life for just the ones who have the best understanding of doctrinal truth, but rather for every single one that knows that Jesus is the truth, and turns to Him, away from the lie of sin. Jesus was thankful for babes who only managed to believe in Him, not for the wise and prudent leaders of religious thought. Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. ***************************************************** Excerpt from Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotionals: "the influences of grace are the inheritance of *every saint* united to the Lamb" 2 Timothy 2:1 "Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." Christ has grace without measure in himself, but he hath not retained it for himself. As the reservoir empties itself into the pipes, so hath Christ emptied out his grace for his people. "Of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace." He seems only to have in order to dispense to us. He stands like the fountain, always flowing, but only running in order to supply the empty pitchers and the thirsty lips which draw nigh unto it. Like a tree, he bears sweet fruit, not to hang on boughs, but to be gathered by those who need. Grace, whether its work be to pardon, to cleanse, to preserve, to strengthen, to enlighten, to quicken, or to restore, is ever to be had from him freely and without price; nor is there one form of the work of grace which he has not bestowed upon his people. As the blood of the body, though flowing from the heart, belongs equally to every member, so the influences of grace are the inheritance of * every saint* united to the Lamb; and herein there is a sweet communion between Christ and his Church, inasmuch as they both receive the same grace. Christ is the head upon which the oil is first poured; but the same oil runs to the very skirts of the garments, so that the meanest saint has an unction of the same costly moisture as that which fell upon the head. This is true communion when the sap of grace flows from the stem to the branch, and when it is perceived that the stem itself is sustained by the very nourishment which feeds the branch. As we day by day receive grace from Jesus, and more constantly recognize it as coming from him, we shall behold him in communion with us, and enjoy the felicity of communion with him. Let us make daily use of our riches, and ever repair to him as to our own Lord in covenant, taking from him the supply of all we need with as much boldness as men take money from their own purse. ***************************************************** Hear free email discussion about Christian unity & either join in discussion or just lurk and listen at these links: Antioch-Fellowship email group at YahooGroups Christian unity with a prophetic voice: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/antioch-fellowship Christianunity email group at Associate.com Christian unity in holiness and agape brotherly love: http://associate.com/digests/christianunity/ You can find info about a combined effort on a large prayer for Christian unity, called the "Christian Unity Prayer Project" (CUPP), by going to the following URL: http://www.superior.net/~pjrcmr/prayerparts.html Also please see the Introduction to the Christian Unity Prophecy at the following address: http://home.swbell.net/twarlick/christianunityprophecy/intro.htm * ****************************************************