Jesus asked His disciples who the people said that He was. Upon getting their answer to this, He then asked them, “Who do you say I am?” It was Simon Peter that answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was NOT REVEALED TO YOU BY FLESH AND BLOOD, but BY MY FATHER IN HEAVEN.” (Matt. 16:13-17). There is a great lesson in that brief discourse in that it shows that what others think of Christ is not nearly so important as WHAT WE THINK. Jesus then made a very profound statement, “And I tell you on this rock I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it.” (Matt. 16:18)
Well, last weekend the gates of hell were unleashed against you wonderful RICKMAN FOLKS! I was not there but it was passed on to me some of what happened. I can assure you this, it was JESUS and THE CHURCH that He built that was being attacked, NOT YOU my very dear brothers and sisters. “…we are members of His BODY, of His FLESH, and of His BONES. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I SPEAK CONCERNING CHRIST AND THE (His) CHURCH.” (Eph. 5:30-32)
Jesus prayed this prayer to the Father for us, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they ALL MAY BE ONE, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be ONE IN US, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And THE GLORY which You gave Me I HAVE GIVEN THEM (Jesus has given the Rickman Church His glory so we can do what needs to be done), that they may be one just as We are one…” (John 17:20-22)
I encourage you to meet together and pray for God’s blessings and direction on your lives, for His Church, because He certainly loves and cares for you!!! I’ll be praying for you as well…
-Bill Stockham