UNITY

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Good night last night.

Sometimes I have to admit, and don’t be a hater for it, that I need a little break from the world of recovery and it’s chaos and a little infusion of “just fellowship” from time to time.

Last night was a little of that.

Our worship leaders at my local church AHOP got the members of the music ministry together and did a little “vision-casting” of sorts for the coming months. And while some of it was “blocking and tackling”, schedules, rules and the like, the overriding theme was one stressing UNITY.

Our leadership wants our worship teams and worship mind-set to be one of teamwork, camaraderie and UNITY. Good lesson and goal for worship. An equally good lesson we can apply to every walk of life.

In fact Paul ENCOURAGED, found joy, when those of his day demonstrated unity in love for CHRIST and love for EACH other.

Philippians 2:2

…complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

We should follow that lead!

Yet our current “bullying”, cynical, narcissistic and self-centered culture does not often lend itself to unity. Quite frankly it encourages the opposite. People take pride in being critical and caustic in their opinions and speech. Twitter is a hotbed for the 140 character quip and for tearing down. There is not much on T.V. that doesn’t glorify the insult and dysfunctional.

Yet as followers of CHRIST we need to be unified. Our fellowships should be forums for encouragement and uplifting. We should be quick with a sympathetic word or gesture; humble and helpful!

1 Peter 3:8

And now this word to all of you: You should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.

The enemy, as Anna (our WORSHIP powerhouse) so correctly put it last night, wants nothing more than to divide the fellowship of believers; to cause rifts among the body.

And Jesus understood that. He understood the devastating effects when the fellowship is fractured!

Luke 11:17

A family splintered by feuding will fall apart.

My encouragement for all of us today is to embrace your fellow followers as family. While they are “just friends”,we are all part of one effort, one faith and simple objective. We are called to bring glory to the FATHER both individually and collectively.

We do that best when we are pulling in the same direction, toward Christ! We do that best when we are emulating Him; His mercy, His grace and His peace by loving, caring for and lifting one another up.

So let’s do it!

1 Corinthians 1:10

…I urge you by the name of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed, to come together in agreement. Do not allow anything or anyone to create division among you. Instead, be restored, completely fastened together with one mind and shared judgment.

So with that said and UNITY in mind I close with this today…

2 Corinthians 13:11

…Be happy. Grow in Christ. Pay attention to what I have said. Live in harmony and peace. And may the God of love and peace be with you.

Have a blessed day…

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney