Counted accountable

Sunday’s Monday

My week has been absolutely rewarding both spiritually and physically. I had a good week working on a very tough project as well a great week conversing with different saints and Brother Night was a blast! Thank you, Open Door Baptist Church for your hospitality and a great service.

This week my studies and ponderings has been spent on unity and what that really looks like for all of us (but mainly men). Speaking for myself there are two factors in the way of my uniting with others and neither are worth a flip. My OPINION keeps unity at a distance because of preconceived knowledge (notice I didn’t say wisdom, it’s not) and PRIDE holds me back (usually because of the manhood garbage). However, to shine a brighter light on my preconceived junk, I am learning (ever so slowly) that it was to die with my old self. The bible says in Ephesians 4:2-4 (NLT), 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. God is telling me to make every effort to become and stay united with my brother’s in Jesus. Although, I have been united with Jesus followers, I haven’t always lived in unity with them. Allow me to explain; Dictionary.com describes Unity as: 1- the state of being one; oneness. 2- whole or totality as combining all its parts into one. 3- the state or fact of being united or combined into one, as of the parts of a whole; unification. absence of diversity; unvaried or uniform 4- absence of diversity; unvaried or uniform character. 5- oneness of mind, feeling, etc., as among a number of persons; concord, harmony, or agreement. To add to this, there is 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT), I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. It didn’t matter if it was church, meetings or fellowshipping, all were simply events, like in a club. I could be a member and yet still not be attached or involved, I was never committed. I was counted but never accountable! Little did I know some 20 years ago that all of this was starting to change, as I was made aware of how foolish my thinking was. I came to know and grow in Psalm 133 (NLT), 1 How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! 2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. 3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting. Unity with my brothers in Christ is my ticket to enjoying everlasting life here on earth. The unity of Jesus follower’s is the desire of God’s heart bringing Him great joy. As for me, unity with Jesus followers offers me a sanctuary for growing, learning and strengthening my resolve to serve Jesus. I’m receiving daily blessings as a result of being a part of the body of Christ. Sounds great, “right!” Well it’s even better than it sounds! I have come to love the joy that I get from loving others. God has through the unity of Jesus followers, been able to show me wisdom of which I may never have known. He has also given me thousands of helpers to assist the Holy Spirit in my time of needs, as well He has assured that I will always have a door of escape when tempted. He led me to read Proverbs 17:17 (NLT), A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. I am so thankful for God’s all-knowing wisdom which included help for my weaknesses and for his mercy in providing me immeasurable back up. As well, He tells me in, Ephesians 2:19 (NLT), So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. I am never to be satisfied with the status quo of relationships, as I am no longer a stranger or foreigner to God’s people. I am to present myself to all I meet and never hide inside my current comfortable circle of friends. I am a child of God all mighty, a brother to Jesus and every other follower of God’s truth. I pray Romans 12:10 (NLT), Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other, in the hope that we will enjoy a divine appointment this week.

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!

COMMENTS / ENCOURAGEMENT WELCOMED; 03/18/2018