DEVOTIONAL
Philippians 2:2
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Today after church, I went up to one of my friends, a fellow Alabama fan and said “That was a w f u l”, to which she smiled her beautiful smile and said, “I know, wasn’t that WONDERFUL?” CLEARLY we were not only on a different page, we weren’t even in the same LIBRARY! My friend was talking about Pastor Tim’s sermon, I, of course, was referring to the Sugar Bowl!
Oh well, the church is full of SEC fans, through a variety of teams, none of us really pleased with the outcomes of our team’s performance.
Back to the conversation with my friend; I suppose when she saw the perplexed look I gave her, she realized that there was definitely a breakdown in communication between us!
We were both in total agreement on both accounts, but there was a disconnect: Amusing, but I immediately thought, “There’s my devotional for tonight!”
Last year, well, 2013, I was putting up my little Christmas village and I discovered that I had somehow accumulated several “churches”. As put them out, I didn’t have enough space, unless I wanted to spread the town all over the house to make it look right with so many places of worship!
It seems that way in reality at times. One could drive down a long stretch of road, passing churches, temples synagogues and places of worship of all shapes and sizes. From the mega churches with several “campuses” to services held in YMCAs to coffee shops, the face of services is ever-changing. I attended a church where we had a ride from our car to the building (like a Disney trolley), while at others everyone in the congregation could have parked sideways with a Winnebago and there would have still been spaces available.
Why can’t we just all get along? Why can’t those who call themselves “CHRISTIANS” agree on the most fundamental of doctrine? Jesus’ teachings are simple Truth; to the point, unambiguous! JESUS IS THE ONE AND ONLY WAY TO THE FATHER (John 14:6). How much more uncomplicated could God make it for us?
How glorifying is to God for His Believers to pull apart because of carpet color and music preferences? Why can’t a group of people who love the Lord, come to a point of agreement? The ONLY thing not up for compromise or debate is the TRUTH. Anything else is man’s determination and unwillingness to yield to his brothers and sisters in Christ.
Some had rather leave a congregation than reason together. “Church hopping” does nothing but dilute a sense of belonging anywhere. It breaks down tendency to engage with others and invest in one another’s lives.
We are called to give an account for our hope in Christ (1 Peter 3:15); but other than a falling away from the Truth (the only valid reason), or man’s strong will, there is no real answer as to why so many denominations, proclaiming to love Jesus, sprinkle the world’s landscape.
Let’s make more of an effort, starting today, to build upon our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ. I am certainly NOT saying that we “mix” Christianity with other religions, nor am I suggesting that we neglect praying for those without a saving faith in Jesus. What I am saying is that where it comes to matters of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the ONE and ONLY way to the Father, acknowledge that common and critical bond without allowing matters of personal opinion hinder our testimony with pettiness.
Believers and unbelievers alike are watching. Most importantly, the King has His eyes on us. Do we really want to be found isolating ourselves, physically, emotionally or spiritually because we don’t get our way?
Consider what would happen if heads or feet just popped off and jumped from body to body? As the Body of Christ, we are woven together with other Believers, brought together for a time, a reason, to worship and glorify our Creator!
PRAYER
Precious Lord and Father
Thank You for the brothers and sisters You have given
Each and every one of us, adopted with the highest price
The blood of Jesus Christ
We pray to find that He will draw us closer to Him and to one another through Him
We acknowledge Him as the One and Only way to You, God the Father
Please make us aware when we are trying to bring our own wills and present them as Yours
Lord, we ask for discernment when others are also attempting to do the same
Thank You for Your Truth
The TRUTH of Your Word
That is what matters, O King
It is through the Blood of the Lamb shed for us
That we are saved
Lord, if we recognize what it is we are called to believe in for salvation
And have faith and genuine trust in You as our Savior
Please let us realize that all else is of man and not worthy of division
The enemy desires to pull us apart, O God
But You have put us together for a purpose
In Your Name, we rebuke anyone or anything threatening to interfere
May Your Name be glorified
May we find peace with one another in and through Your Power
Praise be to the King
In the Name of Christ Jesus
AMEN
Songs
Praise the Name of Jesus
If We Are the Body
