Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Written by Kara Benson, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Little Rock, AR

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” (Col. 1:15-18)

Wow! If you skimmed or skipped the first paragraph, I encourage you to go back and reread it. These are meditation-worthy verses proclaiming the power and preeminence of Christ! From time to time, I need to be reminded that Christ is our head.

Christ is our head, not people. Often, we are guilty of putting people on a pedestal. They are inspiring teachers, great examples, and we naturally look up to them. However, esteeming someone too highly can be destructive to our faith if they fall. What happens when your beloved preacher, wonderful worship leader, or esteemed elder falls away? Would you feel lost without him and begin to question your own convictions? Or would your faith in Christ remain vibrant?

Jesus is our high priest; no one else can stand between us and God (Heb. 4:14-15). First Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” We should not let the opinions and decisions of others affect our relationship with God. If we trust in mankind, then we will be repeatedly disappointed. But “blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him” (Jer. 17:7). People will inevitably let us down, but God will remain a strong tower for the righteous.

Christ is our head, not culture. Let me be the first to say that culture is beautiful. Learning about the customs, foods, holidays, music, and languages of the world is fascinating to me. I fell in love with the Spanish language and studied it in school for nine years. Revelation 7 describes my favorite scene in the Bible: people from every nation, tribe, and language standing before the throne, robed in white, and worshipping our God. I am so excited to see that day!

We can certainly celebrate our culture and be proud of our heritage. But every culture is flawed because it is cultivated by flawed, broken people. There are parts of every culture that are sinful and need to be redeemed. In Romans 10:2-3, Paul writes that the people sought to establish their own righteousness instead of having their righteousness based on God. Cultures will vary and shift throughout the years, changing with each new generation. However, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8). Paul was willing to lay aside his cultural background when necessary for a higher calling, specifically winning the lost (1 Cor. 9:19-23). Following Jesus and His Word takes precedence over everything. Our allegiance is to Christ and the kingdom of God before any earthly kingdom, nation, or culture.

Christ is our head, not my emotions. Anxiety, anger, bitterness, loneliness, romantic passions, pride... if I am not careful, my emotions can run the show and run away with me. They may cause me to reinterpret scripture to fit what I want or justify poor choices. I may strongly feel a certain way, but the heart is deceptive above all else (Jer. 17:9). Emotions cloud our vision, which is why we must take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5).

The body only moves where it is directed by the head. When a part of our body does not obey our mind, often there is pain and dysfunction. Likewise, when we follow people, culture, or emotions, there will be disunity and conflict in the body of Christ. Let us remember that Christ is our head. As Christians, we take our direction and priorities from Him and His Word.

His love and mercy, His sacrifice and self-denial, His obedience and desire to please the Father are our example. Christ has lordship over the church and over our lives. And His authority is good and glorious because He is our Savior who bought us back with His precious blood! Joyfully, we submit to Him!

“[God] has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.” (Heb. 1:2b-4)

Written by Johana Batres, Volunteer at Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Colorado Springs, CO.

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each is a member of that body." (1 Corinthians 12:27)

I invite you to read 1 Corinthians 12:20-27.

On one occasion a great friend and brother in Christ decided to go from Guatemala to Honduras to study at the Baxter Bible Institute. We bade him a farewell, in which we prayed and blessed him. When he returned after his graduation in Baxter, I noticed that he was missing the thumb of his left hand.

One day, on a bus, his finger was pressed by the doors and he lost it. I really appreciate this friend and brother, and I imagine it was difficult for him to lose his thumb. Without using your thumb, try brushing your teeth, buttoning a shirt, combing your hair, tying your shoes, or even eating. This chubby little finger of the body plays a key role.

The apostle Paul points out a similar scenario in the church. Those who tend to be less visible or less heard sometimes experience an "I don't need you" from others (1 Corinthians 12:21). Often this idea is reflected only in attitudes, but sometimes it is said out loud.

God calls us to show equal interest and respect for one another (v. 25). All believers are part of the body of Christ (v. 27), whatever gifts we have received, and we need each other. Some are eyes or ears, so to speak, and some are thumbs. But we all have a vital function in the body of Christ, the Church; and sometimes more than we think.

One very important thing to remember, Christ is the Head and no one else can be.

If you are an "eye", how can you encourage a "thumb?" If you think you are an insignificant member, memorize 1 Corinthians 12:27.

Written by Tiffany Jacox, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Bellevue, Nebraska

Sitting here looking out the window, it is a sunny day but the wind is blowing hard and the temperatures are cold. We are experiencing the Corona Virus all around the world and people everywhere are being quarantined. People are fighting the illness; people are losing jobs, losing vacations and fun plans, and losing loved ones. It is a time of great uncertainty and anxiety, but we must remember where our strength and protection come from.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation (Col 1:15). Jesus is the image of God! He was first. Firstborn of all creation. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together (Col 1:17). Jesus is our glue! He is our strength (Phil 4:13), He is our peace (Phil 4:7), He is our joy (Luke 2:10), and He is our refuge (Ps 46:1, 9:9). We can go to Him in prayer and we can trust in Him (Prov 3:5) during our moments of troubles and weakness. We can even find joy in our weakness because as we endure these hardships and difficulties, we become strong because of the strength He gives us. Enduring refines us, it strengthens us, and it grows us as we lean into God more. As we lean into Jesus and He holds us together, we can then reach out to others.

Christ is the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning (Col 1:18). We know He is the head and we, the members, are various (important and needed) body parts. I would also like to focus on Christ as the head of our lives. He is our example, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt 20:28). Jesus served. We see examples through the Bible of Jesus serving, healing, listening, and loving many. We are His chosen people, as 1 Peter 2:9 states. He has called us out of darkness. He has called us to a purpose greater than ourselves. He is always with us, and as He states in John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you.” He is the head; He came to love and serve us and called us out to do the same.

How can we make that applicable today? Christ is the head. He is the bridegroom of the church. He loves us and never forsakes us (Deut 31:6,8). He, in His love, cares for us and He is our example. We can rest in Him and His promises. We can remain secure in our eternal salvation through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And if we can stand strong on our Jesus foundation, then can’t we spread that love and security to others? Jesus is the head and we are the rest of the body (1 Cor 12:12). So, come on arms, legs, hands and feet! Let’s get to work! Let’s love and serve like Jesus did. We can provide hope in a time of uncertainty, we can provide light in a time of darkness, and we can provide comfort in a time of grief. God equips us to do these good works (Eph 2:10). Rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, and being devoted to prayer (Rom 12:12). Just as Christ did.

Many people have shared why they are staying home or taking precautions for the Coronavirus. There may be an immune-compromised individual or an elderly family member that they know are at higher risk if they contracted the virus. “I’m staying home for ____,” and messages like that have filled my news feed and reminded everyone that the good of others is a higher priority than our own selfish ambitions.

Selfish ambitions can be hard to let go of. Preschoolers are taught, “You get what you get, and you don’t throw a fit.” Not everyone can have their own way. A few adults might need that reminder...

Sacrifice for the good of others to the ultimate degree was modeled by Christ (Phil. 2:3-11).

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

The Head bowed low.
The One who was God in His very nature made Himself nothing.
The CEO of the company decided to clean the toilets at every employee’s house.
The superintendent of schools decided to go back to kindergarten.
The Head of the body decided it was time to play the part of the toenail on the little toe.

The Head bowed low and humbled Himself for the good of others.
His sacrifice made it possible for us to be one with Him as part of the body.
He did His part so that we might have our part in Him.
And now we have the opportunity to humble ourselves as the diverse parts of the body for the good of the whole and to the glory of the Head.
What is your part today?

P.S. His example of obedience and submission will be discussed at greater length in next month’s posts.