We Must Protect This House!

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Today's Passage: Ephesians 4:3
Memory Verse: Psalms 133:1

Wow!  What an awesome time in the Lord we had last night.  Td Nation was in full effect and the Lifers were off the chain.  We praise God for what He did.  And we look forward to all the prayers being answered.

I love you, ALM.  You guys are truly near and dear to my heart.  We're a family and therefore should remain in unity.  The Under Armor sports company had a slogan a year ago that said: "We must protect this house".  This statement is exactly how I feel about the Body of Christ.  We must protect each other, look out for each other, and bear one another's burden.  God desires that we experience oneness and harmony with each other.  Being unified is the most important ingredient to life (Ps 133:1).  Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:3 (NIV), "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace".   In order to protect our house, we must all be bound together by peace.   We can't allow division to come in.  Let's CHOOSE to love and accept one another, even when our differences are evident.  To maintain unity and harmony within our church, we have to do 3 things.  First, we have to focus on what we have in common, not our differences.  Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT) "Let there be real harmony so there won't be divisions in the church.  I plead with you to be of one mind united in thought and purpose".  When I see the word "harmony" I think of music. 

When Yas and I teach a new song to the choir, we teach it in 3-part "harmony".  That means we take 3 different interpretations of the song (soprano, alto, and tenor) and blend them to make "one" song, in 3 parts.  The sopranos won't sing like the altos, but the message (lyrics) is the same.  The tenors won't sing  like the sopranos, but the message (lyrics) is the same.  That's how we should be.  We might share the love of Jesus in different ways, but the message should always be the same.  Second, we must keep it real with each other.  "Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other's faults because of your love" (Eph 4:2).   We can't look down our noses at members who may not be as gifted as we are in certain areas.  We likewise shouldn't be jealous or put-off by someone who may be more gifted or have better ideas.  Last but not least, we must learn to encourage, not criticize.  If our leaders have to offer correction for any reason, they have been trained to do it in love, not in the critical way that leaves the individual feeling torn down.   "Let's agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other.  Help others with encouraging words; don't drag them down by finding fault" (Rom. 14:19 Mess.).

Let's protect our house.  Let's get on that love wall and guard against strife, division, and judgement.  Jesus said He drew every one of us by love and kindness, and that's how He expects us to be drawn to one another.  If we choose to love and not be so easily offended, we'll grow stronger and ultimately be able to focus on the real thing: the outpouring of God's glory.  That kind of power only comes where there is unity.  I want God's glory more than anything else, so for THAT, I will be unified with you, and protect this house.

Prayer:  Father, I join my brothers and sisters to give praise to You.  Help us to see past our differences and become one in You.  It is important to us to be like You; therefore, our heart's desire is Your heart's desire: that we will love one another as we love ourselves.  Bless us as we grow in this, and we'll again give You praise...in Jesus name. Amen