Tag: unity
Day 5–The Unity of Holy Trinity
Scripture reading for March 27: Matthew 3:16-17 “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately He went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased.”
John 5:19 “I and the Father are One.” John 17:11 “Holy Father, keep them in Your Name, which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as We are One.”
It is extremely rare to find true biblical unity among families, marriages, clubs, organizations, or people groups. There is always a ‘fly in the ointment’ that causes division or strife. Even the best of marriages have occasional disruptions of the unity through unkind words, attitudes or violations of personhood. Our nation is certainly divided by political issues, racial issues, and cultural differences and even religious doctrines. It is hard to find an example of what unity is to be like.
God, Himself, has given us a model of unity in the Holy Trinity: Father, Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit. These three form a tight-knit ‘Community of Unity’ for us to learn from. God the Father is supreme in this community. His Word is the Truth and carries eternal value and authority. Jesus Christ, God’s Only Son, is God manifest in human flesh. Jesus came to reveal the Father. He only spoke what the Father had said and did what the Father did. He fully submitted to Father’s Word and will. The Holy Spirit, the Father’s Gift, was given by the Father to redeemed man. The Spirit is a ‘Helper’ and ‘Comforter’ Who reveals the Father’s Word and ways to us. These three are bound together by Love because God is Love!
When we consider how to maintain unity in our department or group of responders, it is good to start with these basic truths. God our Father and His Son Jesus are one in love, purpose, and power. They have prayed that we enter into Their absolute unity and made a way by sending the Holy Spirit. As we invite God’s Spirit to lead us, He reveals the path of peace and the anointing of unity.
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your perfect unity demonstrated in the Holy Trinity. I surrender to Your Son’s prayer that I be one with Father and Son. Bless our family and department with Your unity. Amen.
Week 13–Day 1–Together We Are Better
Scripture reading for March 23: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up. . . .And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him–a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
The ancient wisdom of King Solomon, the wisest man to have lived other than Jesus Christ, promotes the benefits of teamwork. There is synergy when two people work together in unity or a team of people put their various talents to work. Solomon points out that they will have a good reward for working together.
Another benefit is to have help when trouble comes in the completion of a job. If one person falls down or is injured, the other can help him get back up and recover. Also, if there was an attack from another person, the helper would add strength and overcoming ability enabling the person to escape the attack. Solomon also observed that a ‘three-stranded cord” was not easily broken. Many commentators suggest that this is the two person team trusting the Lord as their third Person, giving them the edge.
In our work as first responders, two are better than one. We often go in pairs to bring the help needed. I have responded to two calls in the last day where I went to assist the EMT’s with a person needing transport. Two EMT’s always go out together on the calls, but many times, an extra pair of hands or two more helpers make the job easier. In the last case, an elderly lady needed help getting out of her bedroom and down some steep and narrow stairs. We used the transport chair, but the battery was not working and we had to carry her. It was much easier with four of us lifting and carrying her and the chair.
Sometimes there are situations where people are angry or resistant to those seeking to help. It is a blessing to have extra helpers who are able to stay calm and work with those distracting from the mission. Having our Lord with us is always welcomed, as He can guide and bring answers to difficult situations.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for team members who work together to help those who are hurting. Thank You for Your presence with us and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help our teams. Use me to work with others in unity. Amen.
Unity and humble service
Scripture reading for September 3: Philippians 2
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 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, Who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death upon a cross.” Philippians 2:1-8
A great key to living a life that pleases God is to find unity with Christ and His followers. Paul understood the basics of building unity were found in Christ Jesus and His Holy Spirit. Jesus was motivated by a deep love for God and those created in His image. He chose to only do what the Father desired, so that He and the Father were One. He gave up personal privilege and comfort as God’s Son to take on human flesh and suffering temptation like all other men, but without sin. He then willingly gave His life on the cross as a sacrifice for all mankind that the penalty of sin would be paid for.
When we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, He will lead us in unity with God the Father and Jesus. He will give us a heart of love for God and mankind. He will help us to focus on what pleases God and best serves those in His image. We begin to value others higher than ourselves and look out for their highest good. We become servants of God on behalf of others, sharing with them the Gospel in loving actions and words of truth. We put God and Christ first and unity is the byproduct of humble hearts that follow Jesus by the Holy Spirit.
How does Paul’s call to humble service and imitating Jesus clash with the world view of our culture? Why is there so little unity in our culture and even the church? Do you ever struggle with viewing others as better than yourself, especially those who are themselves proud and conceited?
Prayer: Father God, forgive me for sometimes lacking true humility towards others who may be proud and disobedient. Help me to maintain the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace as I serve You by loving them and serving them. Thank You for the mind of Christ through the Holy Spirit in me. Amen.
Don’t quarrel on the way!
Scripture reading for January 16th: Genesis 45-47
Families and churches are sometimes prone to conflict! I know because I live in a family, have attended churches for many years, and have pastored for 34 years in four different churches. I have experienced conflict in family and church settings and sometimes been responsible for it myself. Sometimes conflict comes from misunderstanding and poor communication. Other times it comes from jealousy or envy. Sometimes it comes from sin and wrong-doing. Everybody wants to blame somebody else and arguments ensue about who is at fault!
In our reading today, Joseph revealed himself to his brothers after a series of encounters with them. When Joseph revealed himself to them, they were astonished, speechless, and terrified because of guilt! (Genesis 45:1-7) Joseph had to reassure them that it was truly him. He understood their feelings. He had likely worked through these same kinds of feelings himself over the years. God gave him understanding of His greater purpose that was being worked out. Joseph shared this purpose with his brothers to encourage them. “It was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.”
As Joseph sent them away to bring Israel and the rest of the family down to Egypt to save them during the coming 5 years of famine, he warned them not to quarrel on the way! He knew human nature and the temperament of his brothers. God desires forgiveness, unity, and humbly serving one another. In that unity He can bless and fulfill His promises. Prophetic vision of God’s purposes helps us cooperate.
Are you experiencing strife or quarreling in your family, church or at work? What is God’s purpose that He has to place you there? How might you share this to God’s glory?
Genesis 45:24 “Don’t quarrel on the way!”
God commands love for enemies!
Scripture reading for July 5th: Luke 6, Psalm 133, Proverbs 9
Luke 6: 27-31 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.”
The law of sowing and reaping says that we get back what we put out. Jesus, knowing this to be true, commanded His followers to show love for their enemies. God’s love does what is best for the other person, in order to see them converted. When we do good to our enemies, it opens up their lives to see and experience the grace of God and hopefully draws them to repentance and life. This can change them from being your enemy to being a brother or sister and dwelling in God’s unity of the Trinity. This is Wisdom speaking, as God’s Word and Jesus are Wisdom for us!
Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You are Love and Wisdom. Forgive me for at times ignoring this command to love my enemies. I would rather ignore them or get even. This is not like Jesus. Fill me with Your Love and remind me to show love to all You put in my life and path. I desire the good and pleasant peace of dwelling in unity with You and Your people.
Proverbs 9:12 “If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.”
The untamed tongue
Scripture reading for October 7th: Jeremiah 25, 35, 36, 45, Psalm 133, James 3
James 3: 6-10 “And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. For the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”
James understood from Jesus and from God’s holy Word the importance of unity. Jesus had prayed for unity, that His people would be one with He and the Father. By their love and unity and obedience, all men would be able to know that they were Jesus’ disciples. But James understood the tongue as well. Our tongue is connected to our hearts. Our flesh and its desires and passions cause the tongue to act like fire. A mean or hateful word spoken can set a whole family, city, or church or nation on fire. God’s people must allow the Holy Spirit to bridle their tongues and anoint hearts with Christ’s love and compassion. They must make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit and bond of peace through the anointing of the Spirit.
Psalm 133:1-2 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes.”
Prayer: Father God, I know the truth of my tongue’s unruly nature and thank You for Your mercy and forgiveness when I have spoken out of my flesh, frustration, or anger. Fill me with the Holy Spirit of God that my tongue might bless You and those to whom I am speaking. Let my words and my heart be acceptable in Your sight, bringing unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace.
Jeremiah 35:15-16 “I have sent you all My servants the prophets, sending them persistently, saying, ‘Turn now every one of you from his evil way, and do not go after other gods to serve them, and then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to you and your fathers.’ But you did not incline your ear or listen to Me. The sons of Recab have kept the command that their father gave them, but this people has not obeyed me.”
Generosity and Love!
Scripture reading for April 17th: Ruth 3-4, Psalm 37, Acts 4
Key Scriptures: Acts 4:32-35 “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’s feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.”
The early church brought many diverse people together in unity around Jesus Christ and His vision to reach the world and make disciples. Material things took a lower priority and believers shared their goods. Great power and grace rested on the apostles and their preaching brought new souls into the kingdom. Believers’ hearts were filled with generosity and love for each other.
Faith Confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for this amazing revelation of the early church and its love and generosity. Help me to be powerful in Your grace through the Gospel message and generous to those in need.
Ruth 4:13-14 “So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, Who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, . . .”
Psalm 37:4 “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.”
Melodies of thankfulness!
Scripture reading for August 29th: Psalm 133-135 and Ephesians 5
Key Scriptures: Ephesians 5:18-21 “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence to Christ.”
Hearts that are filled with the Holy Spirit flow with heavenly words and music. There is thankfulness flowing to God and others for what Christ Jesus has done, is doing and will do. There is respect and honor for other members of Christ’s Body, the Church. Saints don’t need wine to give them joy! The Holy Spirit overflows them with His provision!
Psalm 133:1,3 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! . . . .It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forever more.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the infilling of the Holy Spirit and songs of joy in my heart. Let that river flow in love and unity for the brothers and sisters and let it reach out to the lost to show them Your glory. Amen.
The blessedness of unity!
Scripture reading for July 6th: Psalm 130-134
Key Scriptures: Psalm 133:1-3 “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows His blessing, even life forevermore.”
As the twelve tribes assembled, they became one family before the Lord. This psalm decreed the blessing of unity upon the brothers as they gathered to worship in God’s presence. The ultimate blessing that the Lord bestowed was eternal life in His presence! Sounds like what Jesus Christ prayed in his final High Priestly prayer before the cross!
The blessing of unity: “For Your granted Him authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those you have given Him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” . . . “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them even as you have loved Me.” (John 17:2-3, 20-23)
Thankful for God’s Order!
Scripture reading for February 7th: Numbers 2-5
Key Scriptures: Numbers 2:1-2, 34 “The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: “The Israelites are to camp around the Tent of Meeting some distance from it, each man under his standard with the banners of his family.” “So the Israelites did everything the Lord commanded Moses; that is the way they encamped under their standards, and that is the way they set out, each with his clan and family.””
God is a God of order. He had specific instruction for His leaders to set each person in a proper job and place. Each was assigned a location in relation to the Tent of Meeting, the place where God’s Presence lived in their midst. Each was to be with their family or clan and move in a particular order when God moved out ahead of them.
Thankful for order: God’s order brings peace and unity to His people. “For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of the prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” (1st Corinthians 14:31-33)