Read Verses: Psalm 133:1-3
Key Verse: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!”
In proverbs 6 it says God hates "a person who stirs up conflict in the community" Why do you think that is? Its because God loves unity. Where there is unity you will find God's peace ruling in people hearts. So much energy wasted on conflict. It's not worth it. Life is too short to pick on every little thing that annoys us. Instead...Consider the beauty and pleasing atmosphere created in the vision described in Psalm 133. When a congregation is unified around knowing and serving God in the fulfillment of His purpose and vision for the church it is a beautiful thing. Not only is God pleased
with appropriate church unity, but also the people of God are pleased and enabled to experience more of the power of the Holy Spirit in their work for the Lord.
Key Verse: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!”
If you think about it, Christians should be fighting darkness instead of each other. Think of it, what would the world be like if we spent out time fighting racism, child poverty, famine, literacy, peace instead of fighting each other? The devil likes to throw us off track and his plan is to get the church to fight each other over silly little things. We talk a lot about maturing in Christ...or basically, growing up. Stop behaving like children, put away childishness. Start acting mature in Christ and learn to get along with people.
In proverbs 6 it says God hates "a person who stirs up conflict in the community" Why do you think that is? Its because God loves unity. Where there is unity you will find God's peace ruling in people hearts. So much energy wasted on conflict. It's not worth it. Life is too short to pick on every little thing that annoys us. Instead...Consider the beauty and pleasing atmosphere created in the vision described in Psalm 133. When a congregation is unified around knowing and serving God in the fulfillment of His purpose and vision for the church it is a beautiful thing. Not only is God pleased
with appropriate church unity, but also the people of God are pleased and enabled to experience more of the power of the Holy Spirit in their work for the Lord.
Think about your life, is there anyone you need to work things out with? If its possible, go and work it out. We are all called to be people of peace...peacemakers. The world is watching us to see what Jesus is like...well, lets show them. Show the world peace. Jesus makes reference to worshiping God and leaving your gift on the alter in order to fix things up with a brother. God loves when relationships are healed...its part of his healing power. He loves to work through his church, he loves to work through his people. And when his people are loving each other and working in harmony then there is a beautiful Spirit in that place. People who are at peace with others have an easier time praying to God. Part of our prayer life should include a prayer for peace in the church. Lord, let your love and the unity of the Spirit flow in this place.
Unity helps our prayer life, but it is also a key to joy in our lives. Unity and joy and peace are all dependent on each other. Have you noticed, the minute you get upset with someone at church, your peace is in danger...and soon, maybe you don't even feel like going to church. Amazing how one small problem can blind us to how amazing God is. Life is like that. The smallest problem can seem so big when we focus on it. Why not give it all to God and spend your energy making friendships and adding your gifts to the world. The world will be a better place with you showing the true nature of Jesus instead of fighting over some small problem. That's where you can be, that's where we all need to be. Let's lift up Jesus by lifting up each other and showing true love.
Lord Jesus, I pray for my church, my family, my friends, even my enemies. Help me be the kind of person that looks past problems and reveals the true nature of your love to the world. I want to be filled with your love, not hatred...with your peace, not anxiety, with your Spirit and not loneliness. Do a work in my life and help me keep my eyes on you...and help me be a peacemaker. AMEN
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