Unity in Our God..... Craig Denison

 Unity in Our God

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview:

We have a great High Priest who constantly intercedes on our behalf. The Son of God and Man loves you more deeply than you can fathom. He prays for you, that you might walk in the abundant life his death affords you. And in John 17 we get a glimpse into the fullness of his desire for all those who would believe in him. As we dive deeply into the riches of Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer this week, may your heart be awakened and your life be transformed by the riches of God’s love.

Scripture:“All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me,that they may be one, even as we are one.”John 17:10-11

Devotional:

We were created for unity with fellow believers. It’s in the pursuit of unity that the bonds of selfishness and pride are often broken. It’s in the surrender of opinion and selfish ambition that we find the abundant life that comes through sacrificial living. And most importantly, it’s in unity that Jesus is most glorified.

Jesus says in John 17:10-11, “All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.” Unity between two humans is only truly possible by the working of the Holy Spirit. Apart from God dwelling and transforming man, we will never be able to live sacrificially with any level of consistency. It’s for that reason that Jesus is so glorified through our unity. And it’s for that reason that pursuing unity between believers is of the utmost importance.

What are we declaring to the world when we bicker, slander, and give up on unity with fellow believers? Why would the lost want anything to do with a group of dramatic, hateful, judgmental, and selfish Christians? Christ has charged us with the command to be his hands and feet. He’s commanded us to make disciples. And our ministry is nothing without love. When we pursue our own pride and gain over unity, we are directly disobeying the commandments of Scripture. When we allow strife and pride to place barriers between us, we hurt the cause of Christ to which we are all called.

Scripture is clear in its command to pursue unity. Unity isn’t a suggestion that we don’t have to adhere to because people can be difficult. It’s a command straight from God, and it’s of the highest importance. Ephesians 4:1-3 says, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Romans 12:16 says, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.” And 2 Corinthians 13:11 says, “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

You are called to be a carrier of peace. The Holy Spirit dwelling within you longs to make you a person who pursues restoration, comfort, agreement, and peace with fellow believers. He longs to fill you with love, honor, patience, and respect for the fellow believers he has placed in your midst. When you feel dissension arise within you, choose to serve your brother or sister out of reverence for God. Choose to pursue peace at all costs. And in doing so you will bring glory to Jesus and declare to the world the wonderful transformation that comes only through salvation in Jesus.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the importance of unity in the body of believers.

“All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me,that they may be one, even as we are one.”John 17:10-11

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3

“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11

2. What is keeping you from pursuing unity with believers around you? What thoughts or perspectives keep you from loving other Christians well? What work does the Spirit want to do in you today to help you pursue unity?

3. Surrender any pride or negativity that is keeping you from pursuing unity. Ask the Lord to give you the courage to fight for peace and choose a life of sacrifice rather than selfish ambition.

Loving others always has to start with you. You can’t expect others to change before you choose to love them. The Lord doesn’t call us to wait for others to get their lives sorted out before we pursue unity. He’s asking us to choose obedience to him by loving others even when they don’t deserve it. Choose love today and discover the abundant life and purpose within unity between believers.

Extended Reading: Ephesians 4

How to Run with Endurance ..... By: Betsy St. Amant Haddox

 How to Run with Endurance (Hebrews 12:1-2)

By: Betsy St. Amant Haddox

Today's Bible Verse: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)

I joined Camp Gladiator in February 2020, which consists of group outdoor workouts. Each week of the four-week camp cycle features a different theme, such a HIIT, Strength & Agility, Endurance, etc. The first time that strength week rolled around, I brought my five lb. dumbbells and thought “hey, this is pretty easy.” Well, it was too easy—my trainer immediately told me I needed to upgrade to ten lb. dumbbells. Suddenly, it wasn’t nearly as effortless. Every move I had mastered was now—quite literally—weighed down. The extra weight affected my breathing, my speed, my agility…the works. Now I’m trying to incorporate 15 lbs. into some of the exercises, and I’m really noticing that difference, too.

I can’t help but think of this analogy when reading these verses in Hebrews 12. The author tells us as believers to “lay aside every weight” so that we can “run with endurance.” Running with a 20 lb. sandbag on your shoulder is great for physical training—but what about when it comes to running our spiritual race with the weight of sin draped across our back? Not nearly as productive or helpful!

Your weight today might not be sand, but rather a mixture of regrets, anxiety, and worry. Or maybe you’re staggering under the burden of unforgiveness, grudges, and fear. Or perhaps you’re lugging around lust, greed, and pride. Regardless of the specifics, we all carry the weight of our sin when we forget to confess and take it to the Lord. As Christians, we know (via 1 John 1:9) that He is faithful and just to forgive us from our sins and cleanse us. So why do we choose to stumble around, sweating and struggling, instead of passing it over to Him? Romans 8:1 (ESV) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

So repent! Put those weights down! Run free and far and fast. Run with endurance, like the “cloud of witnesses” did that have gone before us. We can do that because Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father— the “seated” part signifying that it’s done. Over. Finished. (John 19:30) His completed work on the cross destroyed these weights we still try to carry.

Just like in physical training, spiritual training takes practice if you want to achieve new goals. If your goal is to run with endurance spiritually, then you must do the daily work to build those new habits and persevere. Remember, no one runs a 5K the first time when all they’ve done previously is lay on a couch (there’s an entire exercise program dedicated to bridging that gap!) To build your endurance spiritually, read your Bible daily. Pray. Surround yourself with your current “cloud of witnesses” in your church and encourage each other in the Lord. Get up when you fall. Keep going. You’re not alone—and you’re getting stronger.

Look What I Did!..... by Laura MacCorkle

 Look What I Did!

by Laura MacCorkle

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10, NIV

“So . . . have we talked about me, yet?”

Several years ago, my good friend Jeremy and I would always kid each other with that question during our conversations. It was said after one of us realized we were talking way too much about ourselves, about our accomplishments or about anything that we wanted the other to know so he or she could give up some props and praise.

It was said in jest, but also with an ounce of truth. For we really were so self-focused that the other would periodically enter into the “conversation coma” while listening. You know . . . the whole eyes glazed over, occasional nodding of the head and maybe an “uh huh” every now and then type of thing.

I have gotten that a lot with my friends over the years. But I used to just think, Well, I’m just very verbal and like to over-describe things and tell really good stories . . . so that must be why people can’t stay focused on what I’m talking about. Right.

Several times recently, the Holy Spirit has checked me on that interpretation. In one instance, I was sharing with a small group about my “ministry” of reaching out to back-burner Christians. I think if I had just simply said that I feel like the Lord surrounds me with these people and has allowed me to speak into their lives and that’s all, then that would have been fine.

But ohhhhh no. I had to go on and on and list example after example of how I had “helped” and “ministered” and said exactly the right words to help a brother or sister see his or her bad life decisions, so that they would get back on track with the Lord.

I didn’t realize what kind of a peacock moment this was was until later on. I’ve also noticed that I tend to be less than humble when it comes to sharing about my acts of service. I won’t fall into my own trap and list them all out right here and now, but I sure would love to. Why? Because I want the praise. I want the recognition. I want to feel like Sally Field at the Oscars and know that “You like me . . . you really like me.”

And that’s where I get it all wrong. The Bible says that the Lord is the one who is supposed to lift us up. Not us.

“This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word” (Isa. 66:2b, NIV).

Even if no one ever found out what my “good deeds” were or how I prayed for this person or how I gave financially here and there, I should still be satisfied in knowing that God knows. Because everything I do should be for his glory and not my own. It’s a tough pill to swallow for someone who enjoys running her own fan club. But Jesus tells us to live counter to our culture and to our fleshly desires.

Let us encourage ourselves—and one another—to seek humility and look to what HE is doing in our lives!

Intersecting Faith & Life: Think about an upcoming good deed that you are planning. Tell no one what you are going to do or afterward what you’ve done. The Lord knows, you will have glorified him, and he will be pleased. That’s all that matters.

Further Reading:

Matt. 6:1-4, NIV
Matt. 23:12, NIV

A Prayer for When Plans Change..... By: Alisha Headley

 A Prayer for When Plans Change

By: Alisha Headley

“There are many plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” - Proverbs 19:21

Have you expected your life to go one way and then something happens that throws you off from your plan? Perhaps it was the career path you thought you were heading toward, yet you have found yourself in something completely different than you first set your heart on. Maybe you thought by the time you were 30-years-old, you would be married with a child on the way. You thought things were supposed to happen according to your plan, but the reality you are living in is nothing of the sort.

I’ve had many detours in my life, the most recent being when I lost my job in a career I loved. It was definitely by God’s design in the end, but this was a change of plan I didn’t ask for nor was it on my timing.

I had to walk through the idea that my plans had changed and remind myself that it’s “the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

The thing is, we need detours and plans to change. It is through the detours God always takes us to where we’re supposed to go in the long run. It’s ok if it doesn’t look the way we thought it was going to look, because thankfully, God knows the bigger plan.

God is God. Oftentimes a detour may be His way of getting you to look at Him and fulfill His purpose.

God sees the whole picture.

Your whole story.

Your entire future.

His purpose prevails.

You can trust in Him, even when your plan derails off track, because He is good, in control, and His plans are always greater than our plans.

Rest in the assurance that you can trust the One who knows what’s ahead.

Dear Lord,

We love you. We thank you that no detour or change of plans is out of your sight. Thank you that you have our life in the palms of your hands, and your purpose is for your glory. Thank you that even though we don’t understand the change of plans we see in front of us, that we can trust in you and your provision over us. We trust that you have plans to prosper us and not to harm us.

Lord, we ask that you help us trust you more. Remind us that you are good even when good isn’t showing up according to our plan. Forgive us for doubting you, for worrying, and for trying so hard to work together our plans on our own. We thank you in advance for positioning us for your purpose, for carving out pathways and detours so we can step into your mighty plan to help advance your Kingdom.

We choose to believe that you are able to accomplish far more, do far greater, than we ever thought possible. You are a good Father who has a good plan and purpose laid out before us. We lean on you for your guidance and direction.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen