John 17:20-21 (one in the Spirit?)

28 May John 17:20-21 (one in the Spirit?)

Posted on Thursday 28 May, 2009

Let’s welcome God every morning before work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from Living Faith. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that all
may be one. John 17:20-21 (full readings)

One Bread, One Body: “Jesus is praying at this moment that all peoples, nations, and denominations be one as He and the Father are One (Jn 17:21). Therefore, Jesus is praying for us to receive the Holy Spirit, for the Spirit is the Source of our unity (Eph 4:3). Jesus is praying now for a new Pentecost. Will we answer His prayers after He has answered ours for so many years? Surprisingly, most of us don’t want unity and so don’t want the Spirit of unity. We give “lip service” to unity, and few have “gone on record” proposing the perpetuation of divisions and denominations. However, whenever we seriously attempt unity, people “show their true colors.” Too many of us prefer the pain of separation to the pain of unconditional love and unity. We prefer our divisions and denominations over God’s plan of salvation. Therefore, we need a change of heart to want unity and the Holy Spirit of unity. We must repent, go to Confession, and only then expect a new Pentecost. Father, remove my love for disunity. Give me your heart for those who are hard for me to tolerate. Amen. (Taken from the daily devotional One Bread, One Body.)

Rich’s comments: There are over 33,000 Christian denominations in the world according to the World Christian Encyclopedia. It is sad that we as the Body of Christ have defined so many divisions amongst us. We need to answer Christ’s prayer and remain one in Him by standing firm to the Truth. Paul warned us in yesterday’s reading, “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them (Acts 29-30). Pentecost is approaching. Prepare yourselves to receive the Spirit of unity.

Faith Challenge: Let’s challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News.
* NEW: Do not focus on the things that separate us as different Christian denominations, but open your heart to the Spirit of unity and rejoice that we all know the Lord and are one in Him.

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together. Fasting ideas below.

* Prayer to end abortion, abused children, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, illnesses/injuries, jobs, natural disasters, addictions, Rich (Jim Russell who is battling cancer), Rich (Jack Myers, tumor in esophagus), the sick, hungry and homeless.

* NEW: Pray for unity.

Faith Quote: “There is a tremendous strength that is growing in the world through sharing together, praying together, suffering together, and working together.” by Mother Teresa

Through Christ our Lord,

Rich

Romans 12:12

* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God’s will & His miracles, changing us & helping others. ‘If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn’t, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead.’

* Fasting: Let’s fast from things that take our eyes off Jesus (selfishness, bitterness, being so critical, impatience, gossip, excessive video games, etc) and take on things that fix our eyes on Jesus (selflessness, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, patience, understanding, caring, helping, listening).

* Defend the unborn: ‘Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don’t stand back and let them die’ (Prov 24:11). ‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you’ (Jer 1:5). ‘It is a great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish’ (Blessed Mother Teresa).

* Evangelization: Let’s make room for unbelievers (be a friend, make a friend, lead friend to Christ) and perpetual re-evangelization of self and those near us, by way of daily prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of selfless love, mercy, and service.

Let’s joyfully invite others to join our LIFE Group…Rich or Pat will gladly add them to the devotions distribution list (Mark 16:15)!

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