Unity


January 10, 2016

 

Today’s reading link: Genesis 11; Matthew 10; Ezra 10; Acts 10

Team work is an incredible thing. It is by collaboration that man can do amazing works. This is how our technology advances.

When we are united, we are stronger, able to build great kingdoms. When we are united with God, we are privileged to receive His strength, which enables us to participate in the building of God’s kingdom.

We are all from God, all under God, all loved by God, yet still we must turn to God if we are to discover His will for our lives.

The Tower of Babel reminds us that we can do great things if we work together, but if God is not at the center of our plans, in the end, all is vanity.

Why God chose a tribe of nomads wandering in the desert to be His people, to carry His word, to deliver a Savior for all humanity, is a marvelous mystery.  Now all people, from every corner of the earth, are called to be part of God’s “Royal Priesthood,” and citizens of a “Holy Nation.”

As Peter 2:9 reminds us, even today: You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light.

The disciples were sent out to proclaim God’s kingdom first to the Jews.

These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel..” (Matthew 10:5-6)

After Jesus had been killed and resurrected, he appeared to te eleven, sending them out to “….make disciples of all nations…..” (Matthew 28:19)

And Peter’s vision revealed God’s plan to offer salvation to all who would receive it.

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.” (Acts 10:34-38)

As Christians we are commissioned to take the gospel message to all corners of the earth.  At the same time we are called to demonstrative unity — something only possible through God’s Holy Spirit. Gathering in His name, we become the body of Christ.

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. (Matthew 18:20 NIV)

Before we do anything, we must first seek unity with God.  This unity comes from grace through our reconciliation with God by the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Only then can our lives become aligned with our true purpose — the glorification of God!

Where is God in your partnerships, and in your collaborations?  What are you building today?

 

Sacrifice

January 4, 2016

image

Today’s reading link: Genesis 4; Matthew 4; Ezra 4; Acts 4

What does sacrifice mean to me? Every thing belongs to God, even our pride. How do I put all that on the alter? How do I make my life a living sacrifice?

Why is the history of man about the struggle to give to God what is God’s?

Cain wanted God’s approval for his sacrifice. He wanted it so bad he killed his own brother in the rage of his disappointment. How could God favor Abel’s sacrifice more than his?

We all face the temptation to seek our glory over God’s. Even Jesus, as God among us, dwelling in the flesh, faced this very temptation in the desert.

“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” (Matthew 4: 8-10).

We are not meant to serve ourselves; for we belong to God, and any gifts or possessions we might claim, are all from God.

I am often reminded that everything I am and all I have is God’s. The sooner I am able to return these gifts to the rightful owner, the sooner God is able to bless them to his service.

The words, “it’s not about us” are so simple, so true, and yet very hard to live by, especially in our own power. It seems, we always get in some sort of trouble, when we forget that everything belongs to God, especially all glory, and praise, and reverence.

We were made to build God’s Kingdom, not ours!  What are you building?