Unity

August 25th – Colossians 2:1

Colossians 2:1

“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face.

We live in a “me first” society. And when it comes to helping others, many chose to sit back and watch. Or worse yet, pull out their phone to record. Yet Paul tells us Christians aren’t to act this way. Just as he had a deep concern for the Colossians, we too are to have concern for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. To be the first to step up in times of trouble. In a world marked by division and distractions, Christians are called to be knit together in love, respect, and grace. To support one another’s faith journeys, and to offer a helping hand in times of doubt or struggle. Paul suffered greatly to share the saving message of Jesus Christ to all. Being willing to struggle for other believers stems from the principles of love, unity, and compassion that are central to the teachings of Christ. For no one struggled or suffered more for us than Jesus Christ. And as part of His glorious family, we are called to support and uplift one another, just as a family supports its members during challenging times.


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August 13th – Colossians 4:12

Colossians 4:12

Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.”

So often when we hear of another’s troubles the first thing we say is, “Sending prayers.” But how often do we actually stop what we’re doing in that moment and petition the Lord? When it comes to helping others, one of the most powerful things we can do is to pray. To fervently intercede for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. For it is a powerful expression of love, unity, and solidarity within the body of Christ. We all have a spiritual walk. And by lifting each other up in prayer, we participate each other’s spiritual journeys, offering support, encouragement, and healing. The gift of prayer is a powerful gift of communication between us and God. And we are to use it often, coming before Him for not only ourselves, but each other, with the hopeful expectation that He will answer every petition. Through our prayers, we not only connect with God but also create a network of care and empathy. One that transcends distances and differences, embodying the unity and love that characterize the body of Christ.

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August 4th – Colossians 2:2

Colossians 2:2

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.”

In today’s world of division and polarization, Paul’s pleas for unity among Christians rings loud and clear. Because the unity of Christians, founded in love, serves as a powerful witness to the very transformative and healing nature of Christ’s love. God desires our hearts to be united in love because love is the very essence of His nature. Love fosters compassion, understanding, and empathy. And when our hearts are united in love, we transcend our differences, break down barriers, and build bridges of connection. United in love, we become instruments of peace and healing in a world desperately lacking both. And through our love, we reflect the unconditional and endless love of God for all creation. Moreover, a united heart in love enables us to lift each other up, support one another in times of need, and celebrate the joys of life together. By cultivating love and unity, we align ourselves with God’s divine plan for humanity, fostering a world where love is the guiding force in every action and decision.

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June 29th – Genesis 50:17

Genesis 50:17

This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.”

If there’s anyone who had a reason to hold a grudge and exact vengeance, it would be Joseph. Betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, Joseph had every right to hold bitterness in his heart against them. Yet Joseph’s response was one of forgiveness and compassion. Because he knew their actions were part of God’s greater plan. That same ability to forgive is within all of us who are rooted in deep faith and trust in God’s plan. Like Joseph, we can chose to see beyond the betrayal and harbor no bitterness in our hearts. Just as Jesus does for us, Joseph displayed empathy, understanding, and compassion. Because he knew all of us are flawed and capable of making mistakes. By extending forgiveness, Joseph embraced the opportunity for reconciliation and restoration, prioritizing love and unity over vengeance. His forgiveness is a testament to his remarkable character. And it serves as an inspiring example of the transformative power of forgiveness in our own lives.

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June 23rd – 2 Corinthians 2:10

2 Corinthians 2:10

But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ,”

It’s one thing for Christians to preach about forgiveness, and quite another to actually walk the walk. As soon as we proclaim Jesus as our lord and Savior, the world watches. It waits to see how we handle conflict. Especially conflict with a fellow Believer. As followers of Jesus we are called to love one another. And to emulate the example of Christ, who forgives us unconditionally. By extending forgiveness to our fellow Christians, we reflect the redemptive power of the Gospel and the transformative work of God’s grace in our lives. Furthermore, forgiveness between brothers and sisters in Christ fosters unity, reconciliation, and the restoration of broken relationships. It allows us to uphold the Christlike values of humility, compassion, and empathy. And  serves as a mighty testimony to the world, showcasing the power of forgiveness and demonstrating the authenticity of our faith.

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January 20th – Philippians 2:2

Philippians 2:2

One of the most wonderful things about the Gospel, is that it’s all inclusive. Because God loves each of us equally. And no one member of the church is more important than the next. So as members of the body of Christ, it’s important that we put ourselves aside and strive to meet the same goal in love, joy, and unity. That goal being sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, and advancing God’s kingdom on earth. We all love a little pat on the back along with acknowledgement and appreciation. But when our own desires become our main focus, no longer are we working for God. Instead we’re working for the pleasing of our own egos. And that goes against who Jesus is and what He teaches. For Jesus lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a humiliating, excruciatingly painful death nailed to a Cross. He willingly became our substitute for sin, paying the debt that we owed. All in accordance to the will of God and out of love for us!

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March 13th – Matthew 18:19

Matthew 18:19

I once read it said as prayer warriors we must remember that no matter how hopeless a situation may appear to us, God gives us power in prayer to do something about it. Especially when Christians come together to pray as one. We know that the prayer of one righteous person can accomplish astonishing things. (James 5:16) But when two or three have gathered to pray with one mind, God says He will be with them in a special and unique way. For we are the church of Christ, made up of one body. And we are called to pray together as that one body for God to heal, bless, uplift, and strengthen all. Many times in the Bible we read stories of amazing things that happened when Christian’s prayed together. And those amazing things can happen for us when in unison, we pray for the needs of each other.

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A Lesson In Humility – Philippians 2

Philippians 2

When the believers in the Macedonian city of Philippi heard of Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, they sent him financial gifts. And in response, Paul wrote this beautiful letter. Not only to thank them, but to give an update on his circumstances, to encourage them to stand firm in the face of persecution, to commend both Timothy and Epaphroditus, to warn them of the danger of legalism, and in this chapter, to stress the importance of unity and humility. …

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February 6th – Colossians 3:14

Colossians 3:14 

Of all the fruits of the Spirit, God makes it perfectly clear that love is the greatest. Love binds us together in Christ. It fills our hearts with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. And love allows us to forgive one another just as Jesus forgives us daily. When we remember the perfect agape love Jesus showed us with His sacrifice on the Cross, how can we not show the same to others? For if we truly have a heart for Jesus, love should flow through us as plentiful as it flows from our Lord.

 

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