United we stand
by Diane Watson
God’s heart for us is that we dwell together in unity of love for one another. Not gossiping or whispering about one another, but speaking the truth in love to build one another up.
It’s so easy to let our tongues speak out negative and critical things instead of bringing words of life and encouragement to one another. But don’t let’s allow the enemy to have a foothold in our ‘camp’, either at our home, our work, or our churches. Let’s keep our hearts clean before the Lord. Let’s practice forgiveness daily, sometimes it may be necessary to do it hourly, trusting God and praying for one another. Criticism breeds criticism and this isn’t living the ‘Kingdom of God’ life.
God the Father, Jesus the Son and Holy Spirit live together in perfect harmony and love. I know that we aren’t God; we’re sinful and carry hurts and wounds. But to the best we are able, with God’s help, let’s dwell together in unity and love. As God promises in his word, He will bestow a blessing!
Living in unity doesn’t mean we will always see eye to eye with everyone. God has made us all unique, with our own giftings. So the same task would be done differently by each one of us. We are meant to work through these differences in love, choosing to submit to one another in reverence to Christ. It may seem impossible at times, but if we include Jesus in it ‘all things are possible with God’ (Matthew 10:27).
So when we’re tempted to complain and to criticise our fellow brother or sister let’s remember what the apostle Paul said ‘May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God’ (Romans 15:5-7).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me not to criticise or complain against my fellow brothers and sisters. Help me to forgive them for anything they have done against me and help me to encourage and love them as You do. I pray these things through Jesus’ name. Amen.
Diane Watson is Deputy Centre Director of Ellel Pierrepont. Her husband Paul is Centre Director of Pierrepont and Regional Director of Australia Pacific and India. They have 4 adult children and 8 grandchildren. Diane had the vision for the first Australian Ellel Centre at Gilbulla, near Sydney, and was its Centre Director for the first 5 years.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship. Provided full acknowledgement is made to Seeds of the Kingdom as the source, you are also welcome to use it in a non-commercial way and reproduce it in magazines or other Christian websites. The copyright for any commercial use of the material remains with Ellel Ministries International.
