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Today's message from The Lord is Near devotional for June 13, 2025

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In this Address #3b of 4 meetings, John Brereton explains the spiritual truth that all believers in Christ are united into one body, the body of Christ, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit—a work that began at Pentecost. 1 Corinthians 12 shows that while believers may come from diverse backgrounds (Jews, Gentiles, bond, or free), they are baptized by the Spirit into one body, forming a living connection not only with each other but also with Christ, the Head in heaven. This unity is symbolized and expressed practically through the partaking of the one loaf at the Lord’s Table, representing the one body.

John emphasizes that while human failures and divisions exist outwardly, the spiritual reality of the one body remains intact, and believers are encouraged to endeavor to maintain the unity of the Spirit in love and peace.

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Nehemiah chapter 7 highlights the importance of careful organization and leadership. After rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah ensures the city's protection by appointing gatekeepers, singers, and Levites.

He also organizes a genealogical record of the people to ensure each family is recognized, emphasizing the value of identity and stewardship in God’s plan. It’s a chapter that reminds us how God cares not just for structures but for the hearts and lives within them.

#Nehemiah
#CTOC

#holiness

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Recorded in Dec. 2023, this portion continues to ring forward in all ages as the enemy enemy of our souls comes at us with the same handful of tactics-- and many still don't understand or see how the enemy operates.

The “wiles of the devil” is laid out here clearly.

Compare this chapter 6 of Nehemiah to Ephesians 6! Picture of warfare and the instruction of warfare-- spiritual warfare!
#Nehemiah
#CTOC
#LordJesusChrist

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John Brereton continues this Part 3 (first half of meeting) of 4 addresses from the late 1970's on these truths found from 'cover to cover' in the scriptures regarding as to how, where and Whom to meet unto.

Romans 15:4: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

We find here the God-given authority to turn to that which was written aforetime — to that which was written before the Book of Romans was written — indeed to go back to the earliest parts of the Word of God, because we are told that they have been “written for our learning.” When we minimize or turn away from the truth contained in pictures and principles found in the Old Testament, we are turning away from that which was written for our learning.

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John Brereton continues this Part 2 of 4 Parts from the late 1970's on these truths found from 'cover to cover' in the scriptures regarding as to how, where and Whom to meet unto.

Romans 15:4: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

We find here the God-given authority to turn to that which was written aforetime — to that which was written before the Book of Romans was written — indeed to go back to the earliest parts of the Word of God, because we are told that they have been “written for our learning.” When we minimize or turn away from the truth contained in pictures and principles found in the Old Testament, we are turning away from that which was written for our learning.

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During a time of famine in Gilgal, the sons of the prophets gathered before Elisha, relying on him for sustenance. But one of them, in order to increase the group's resources, gathers a lapful of fruit which he believes will be useful to all. This fruit, gathered by the man in his ignorance, brings "death in the pot."

All their food is poisoned, and thus they find themselves reduced to the same extremity as the people. This poor remnant must feel the power of the death that threatens them and which is a result of their working and lack of discernment.

Yet Elisha, the man of God, provides the remedy, casting meal into the pot, making the food safe to eat—just as Christ alone can neutralize the corruption of sin and bring life where death has entered.

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This is Part ONE of a FOUR message series by John Brereton delivered over 40 years ago.

We find, when we look at this wonderful subject, that in order to begin any consideration of it, we must go back to the Old Testament. This is because the concept of the Lord’s gathering a people to His name where He might enjoy their company around Himself — where worship, prayer, godly order and discipline might be exercised — is found in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament.
I believe when we consider a subject like “The Ground of Gathering” and how the Lord would have us to meet together collectively, there is always a danger of its becoming an intellectual exercise and not that which engages the heart’s affections.

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