Unity with God

Once we believe in Jesus Christ, rivers of living water flow from our innermost spiritual being (John 7:38). The righteousness of God is ours, no matter who we are, because we believe in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22).  

We do not deserve or earn this relationship, but God loved us even while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). Now that we are Born Again, we enjoy unity with God, which transcends any other relationship possible on this earth. 

We know without a doubt that He exists, and that He rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). As our love for God increases, our love of sin, the flesh and the world diminishes.

We lay down everything that is contrary to the will of God or that robs us of time better spent with Him. God’s presence gives us confidence in His love and security through His presence. 

We abide in Him and He abides in us by His Holy Spirit (1 John 4:13). We no longer live a lifestyle of sin (1 John 3:9). In Christ, we are recreated, and our old sinful desires diminish as He renews our desires (2 Corinthians 5:17; Psalm 37:4). 

We no longer suffer from shame for sins and slights or omissions, which we formerly neglected (Romans 8:1). In our union with God, we love Him unreservedly with all of our heart, mind and strength (Matthew 22:37).

Our will and emotions are totally His. We feel His presence in our spirit and this affects our soul – our mind, will and emotions - as well as our body. He gives us unrestricted access to His at any time, for any reason presence (Hebrews 4:16). When we unite with the Lord, we are one spirit with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17). 

Prayer:

Father God, Satan wants our mind as his playground. Help us to refuse to allow him entry with his negative emotions and thoughts. When we realize that we are thinking about negative thoughts, remind us to take our thoughts captive, and to focus our thoughts only on what is factual, admirable, correct, pure, divine, worthy, excellent and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8).  

When our soul is sad, downcast and disturbed within us, we can put our hope in You and praise You, our Father God, because we live in unity with You (Psalm 42:11, 43:5).

Thought for the Day:

Everyone who is baptized into Christ has been immersed in Him.

- Galatians 3:27

United as One

In today’s society, too many people take their marriage vows too lightly. They join, not until death, but until their mate no longer makes them happy or is too demanding. There is no patience or unconditional love and no compromise, only self-centeredness. When God gave Eve to Adam, He decided, this is good (Genesis 2:23). The two became one flesh. God intended for no one to tear this union apart for any reason; because when we marry, we are united as one flesh (Genesis 2:24).

God knew that human beings need one another; therefore, He also created each of us to fit together, united as one Body (Ephesians 4:6). United with one another in Christ, we are one Body with one Head and one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13). We work together to serve our Living God with all of our heart, mind and strength (Luke 10:27). We live a life of prayer and faith and walk in peace with one another by the power, anointing and leading of God’s Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5; John 14:26; (Romans 12:18).


United as one with God’s Spirit takes all of the obligation, pressure and duty out of obedience. If we walk in the Spirit, we automatically refrain from fulfilling the desires of our flesh (Galatians 5:16, 25). We do not follow God out of fear or compulsion, but out of love and a desire to please Him and thank Him for all He did and continues to do for us (Philemon 1:14). Worship and service to God are spontaneous and sincere. There is nothing stilted or sterilized in our relationship with God.


Communication is not a monologue, but a conversation with our spouse and our Heavenly Father. Prayer goes along with reading God’s Word, which acts as a mirror to our soul, and a lamp for our feet (James 1:23-25; Psalm 119:105). We receive God’ grace and mercy to live for Him and with our spouse, and to recover from the harsh realities of life (Titus 3:5-6). The Holy Spirit is our helper, our comforter and our guide (John 14:26, 16:3). God seals us and unites as one with His Spirit forever (Ephesians 1:13).


Prayer:

Father God, thank You for sending Your Spirit to live within us to guide us and unite us with You and Your Body. We have the same relationship with You that a husband and wife enjoy: intimate, unified, joyful and peaceful. Help us to be as committed to our mate and Your Body as You are to us. Give us strength to walk in Your ways (Habakkuk 3:19). Keep us as the apple of Your eye (Psalm 17:8).

Thought for the Day:

Our union with God’s Spirit unites us as one with God, His Body and our mate.

 

 

One Spirit and One Body

The Spirit of God gives each of us gifts to use in our lifetime in service for the Kingdom of God. We have one God and Spirit, but there are many different types of gifts, which He gives to us to use for His glory. Some people are very wise with common sense and can give advice to those who need it. Others have knowledge from books and can pass along their understanding to the rest of us, or a specific word of knowledge directly from God for our benefit.

Some people have great faith in God’s faithfulness and can help us to trust in God when our faith is weak. God gives the power to do miracles to a few trusted Saints who can pray for us as we see God intervene in our life. Many have the gift of speaking, preaching and teaching God’s Word to help us to understand the divine teaching in the scripture.

Then, we have people who can discern evil spirits and can help us to avoid the devil’s traps. The Spirit gives the gift of tongues to some, so that He can use us to intercede in prayer through the Spirit and to speak God’s message to us, with others who can interpret that message when it is spoken in public. One Spirit gives to each Born Again Believer the gift, which he or she needs to fulfill God’s call on our life for each moment of time (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

How would the human body function without a liver? We cannot see it, but we all realize the unique and essential purpose the liver performs in our body. We cannot live without a functioning liver. The liver can be damaged in a matter of days by certain medications we take, addictions we partake of and some foods that we eat. However, the liver is able to repair itself and to grow healthy cells in place of the damaged ones in as little as one month.

Like the liver, no part of the Body of Christ is better than any other and the Spirit of God uses each one. We are all equally as important and the Spirit directs us what to do, when to use them, in what setting and in what way He needs them used. We are God’s Body, and we all minister to one another (1 Corinthians 12:24). God’s Spirit may give us more than one gift, or change the gifts He gives us according to the circumstances in which He leads us. God has a very special place for each of us who are called to His Body.

Prayer:

Father God of all the earth, You are our Maker and You are our husband. You called us and You have a plan for each life (Isaiah 54:5-8). Remind us not to think too highly of our self, but to realize that we are the gloves and You are the hand within us, directing us to accomplish great things for You (Romans 12:3-4). Whatever we do, even if it is just in what we eat and drink, we will do it all for Your glory (1 Corinthians 10:31-33).

Thought for the Day:

In Christ, we who are many, form one Body and we all belong to one another. – Romans 12:5