r/localchurches

I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently.. and how important is bodily exercise as believers, since it is not as profitable as spiritual exercise. Yet, I see so many older brothers eating in such a fine &particular way and working out a lot. And I’m not saying to be sloppy or complacent but where is the line?

In Psalm 119, there are so many different ways in which the Psalmist enjoyed or interacted with the Word! For example:

• 1 Blessed are those whose way is perfect, / Who walk in the law of Jehovah.
• 11 In my heart I have treasured up Your word / That I might not sin against You.
• 16 I will take delight in Your statutes; / I will not forget Your word.
• 31 I cling to Your testimonies; / O Jehovah, do not put me to shame.
• 42 Thus I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, / For I trust in Your word.
• 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, / That I might learn Your statutes.
• 95 The wicked have waited for me in order to destroy me, / But I consider Your testimonies.
• 97 Oh, how I love Your law! / All day long it is my musing.
• 103 How sweet are Your words to my taste!
• 161 Princes have persecuted me without cause, / But my heart stands in awe of Your words.
• 162 I rejoice at Your word, / Like one who finds great spoil.
• 173 Let Your hand be ready to help me, / For I have chosen Your precepts.

What are some of your favorite ways to read the Word or what has helped you enjoy it more?

Recently, a few brothers and sisters and I have been challenging ourselves to write out a book of the Bible! It’s been such an interesting experience so far. I’ve noticed little words and details that I’ve never really noticed before, and I feel like I’ve been able to enter into the feeling of the writer a little more too!

Have any of you ever tried writing out a book of the Bible? If so, how was your experience? Any tips or things you noticed along the way?

Here's a gem from the ministry I wanted to share with you all:

> An all-too-common attitude to the things of the Lord is that, 'What I know, I know; and what I don't know, I don't know, and can do quite well without.' But in Christ, the things we do not know, others do, and we may know them and enter into the enjoyment of them through others.

> Let me stress that this is not just a comfortable thought. It is a vital factor in the life of God's people. We cannot get along without one another. That is why fellowship in prayer is so important. Prayer together brings in the help of the Body, as must be clear from Matthew 18:19-20. Trusting the Lord by myself may not be enough. I must trust him with others. I must learn to pray 'Our Father...' on the basis of oneness with the Body, for without the help of the Body I cannot get through. In the sphere of service, this is even more apparent. Alone I cannot serve the Lord effectively, and he will spare no pains to teach me this. He will bring things to an end, allowing doors to close and leaving me ineffectively knocking my head against a blank wall until I realize that I need the help of the Body as well as of the Lord. For the life of Christ is the life of the Body, and his gifts are given to us for the work that builds up the Body.

> The Body is not an illustration but a fact. The Bible does not just say that the Church is like a body, but that it is the Body of Christ.

• Watchman Nee, "The Normal Christian Life", Chapter 11, pp 143-144