Category: Unity

Thankfulness and Love

pleadinginprayer2 Comments

The apostle Paul often opens his letters with thankfulness for the believers to whom he is writing. I like how Paul qualifies that thankfulness in this book. This is because of the love the Colossians had “for all the saints”. John 13:35 tells us that people will know we belong to Jesus by our “love for one another.” This tells us that love for other believers is very important.

Love doesn’t always come easily. We face many challenges. However, God is faithful to increase our love for Him and others through the challenges. He gives us His Spirit and His Word. And He gives us other believers with whom we can wrestle through the difficulties.

Dear Heavenly Father, please give us the wisdom we need to show all men that we are Yours. Guide us to love as You do.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Worthy of the Gospel

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

We live in an age where everyone is considered “worthy”. Webster’s dictionary defines worthy as “having worth or value”. We all want to be valuable. In Philippians 1:27, we are told to walk worthy of the gospel. The second part of the verse tells us how to be worthy. We need to stand firm in unity for the sake of the gospel. Everything in our lives need to point back to the good news of Jesus Christ.

I wonder if we would have more value if more of our lives were lived for the sake of the gospel.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the instructions You give in Your word. Please help us to live unified for the sake of the gospel. We need You to guide us.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Gathering in Jesus Name

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

Today I am thankful for those who gather in the name of Jesus.  My church family has commented on how much we missed gathering from March – May this year.  If you haven’t learned what gathering around the name of Jesus is, you have missed out. We aren’t perfect, but when we have our eyes fixed on God, the fellowship is wonderful.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for my church family and others who gather in Your name.  Thank you for the joy when we are in tune with Christ.  Thank You for the unity we can have when we put You first. Please help us to focus on You and all You have done for us.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

In Tune

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

“complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” 

Philippians 2:2-5

I have heard, “100 pianos tuned to the same tuning fork will automatically be in tune with each other.”  As someone who seeks to live according to the Bible, this saying has stuck with me.  Those of us who claim to serve Christ should automatically be in tune with each other.  However, too often we give notes of discord.  I fear this shows that we are not in tune with Christ.

If you claim to serve Christ, look at Philippians 2.  It gives us the example of Jesus to follow.  We will be much more in tune with each other if we do.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the example of Jesus.  Please help me to live in the humble mindset that Jesus’ showed. I want to live in unity. 

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Tripping over Differences

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

I expect that most of my readers are those who share my faith in Jesus Christ.  We claim to have the Bible as our foundation.  Over the last several weeks, I have been concerned about the many things we throw out on social media.  I don’t object to looking at various news articles or watching videos with different perspectives.  I have learned and benefited by seeing different points of view.  I think we need to share the hurts of others and seek to show comfort.  I shared last week how I want to help make a difference.  The problem with making a difference is that we are all different and don’t readily agree on what is needed.  Those of us who claim to serve Jesus Christ have a book (called the Bible) to remind us how to help. 

Ephesians 4:2 gives us a list: humility, gentleness, patience, love.  I find the first 4 the hardest when tensions are high, and I feel backed into a corner. Do you? 

I am thankful for God teaching me about prayer.  The more I pray, the more I am willing and able to live humbly, gently, patiently and show love.  Pray is a powerful tool when we understand that God is the power behind the tool.

Dear Heavenly Father, we are weary of the ugliness we have seen.  We have tripped trying to navigate the challenges.  Please help us to live Your way – to make a true difference.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.