Sunday, March 18, 2018

Together

“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”  (Mother Teresa)
“I pray not only for these followers but also for those who will believe in Me because of their teaching. Father, I pray that all who believe in Me can be one. You are in me and I am in You. I pray that they can also be one in Us. Then the world will believe that you sent me. I have given them the glory that You gave me. I gave them this glory so that they can be one, just as You and I are one. I will be in them, and You will be in Me. So they will be completely one. Then the world will know that You sent Me and that You loved them just as You loved Me.

 “Father, I want these people You have given me to be with me in every place I am. I want them to see My glory—the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the world was made. Father, You are the one who always does what is right. The world does not know You, but I know You, and these followers of Mine know that You sent Me. I showed them what You are like, and I will show them again. Then they will have the same love that You have for Me, and I will live in them.” (John 17:20-26, ERV)

Dear Heavenly Father,
I make a fresh commitment to You to live in peace and harmony with the body of Christ. I choose to walk in love today, and not be selfish or resentful. I let go of all unkindness in any form. I give no place to the devil, and I will forgive immediately.  Amen.

As you interact with others today, examine your heart to see if you’re being Christ-like in all your actions. Ask yourself how you can being about real unity with those all around you.

Ask Jesus to live inside you by having a servant’s heart for His children that are all around you:

“I put my hand out and wiped the vomit from his lips, and cooed soothing words to him. It squeezed my heart to see him suffer like this - but where my genuine concern for him ended and where my self-interest began, I could not tell: no servant can ever tell what the motives of his heart are. "Do we loathe our masters behind a facade of love - or do we love them behind a facade of loathing?”We are made mysteries to ourselves by the Rooster Coop we are locked in.”  (Aravind Adig)

Real unity is contagious to others. Those you interact can understand the love of God through your actions. Help them to completely believe the amazing story of a Savior’ who sees value in them.

“The wisdom of God devised a way for the love of God to deliver sinners from the wrath of God while not compromising the righteousness of God.”  (John Piper)

“To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order, To put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order. Tto put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life. We must first set our hearts right.” (Confucius)[i]



[i] Inspired by the sermon “Passion-ate Prayers: May They Be One” (installment two) Sunday, March 11, 2018 Pastor Dave  Jansen CenterPoint Gahanna Church Gahanna, OH  Additional source used: “Prayer for Unity with Others” by Kenneth Copeland Ministries
 

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