Daily Devotions
Copyright © A New Walk Inc. 2009
March 15
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March 20
Only One Way
"Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."
John 14:6 NLT
In today's world, unity and tolerance have become goals within themselves. Peace at any cost. All ways lead to God. Live and let live. Such "tolerant" attitudes actually lead to intolerance of anyone who claims to have the answer.
Jesus made it clear that he is the only way to God, the only way to real peace. Indeed, in Isaiah 9:6 he is called the Prince of Peace. Although God calls us to love all people, for us to seek unity and peace by agreeing that other faiths can lead to God is to deny our own faith—and to deny Jesus.
Consider this …
As Christians, we are not expressing Christ-like love when we are willing to accept the beliefs of those who deny Christ or live sinful lifestyles as OK—all for the sake of unity and peace. We need to express Jesus' love by loving people where they are, by building relationships with them and … as the Holy Spirit leads … by sharing the truths of the Gospel with them. Jesus is the only answer.
Prayer
Father, help me to never deny my faith by accepting—for the sake of unity and peace—unscriptural beliefs by others. Help me love others, no matter what their faith. Help me love them enough to build relationships with them and, as the Holy Spirit leads, to share the truth of the Gospel with them. Jesus is the only way. In Jesus' name …
Building a Tower
"Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News."
Philippians 1:27 NLT
Where there is unity, there is much strength—even if people are unified for the wrong reason.
After the flood in Genesis 6-8, the world was one in language, in aspiration, in geographical location and in action. The people decided to build a great city with a tower that would go to the heavens (Genesis 11:1-8). Why? Not to honor God, but to make a name for themselves and to prevent being scattered over the face of the whole earth. Knowing that nothing would be impossible for them to do because of their oneness, God confused the language of the people and scattered them all over the earth.
Unity of itself is not necessarily good. Oneness in Christ honors our Savior. These people were united, but their purpose was prideful and offensive to the holiness of God. They were seeking equality with God and divine acceptance through human effort.
Consider this …
If we unite to seek power or success, focusing solely on human effort and human rewards, we displease God—and are destined to ultimately fail. Especially in the church, we must be focused on Christ, not on the organization. We must be focused on honoring God, not ourselves. We must always recognize our total dependence on him.
Let us stand "together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News."
Prayer
Father, forgive me for the times that I've united with others to accomplish something, focusing on selfish ambition and desires rather than honoring you and accomplishing your will. Help me to always focus on you more than any organization or ambition. Help me to honor you in all I do. In Jesus' name …
Pride Divides
"Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other,
loving one another and working together with one mind and purpose."
Philippians 2:2 NLT
In today's scripture, Paul exhorts believers to agree with one another, to love one other and to work together with one mind and purpose.
Jesus' last instructions moments before he ascended to heaven leave no doubt what the church is to be doing: "And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 NLT If we are to be effective witnesses, we need to work together with one mind and purpose. Our witness can be hurt—and even destroyed—if we are involved in pride, bickering, gossip and other habits that can only lead to strife and division. We need to set aside personality conflicts, social differences, cliquishness and anything else that divides us and keeps us from accomplishing God's purpose for us.
Consider this …
The lesson of the Tower of Babel (yesterday's devotion) teaches how pride can lead to division and ultimate failure. Think of an area in your life in which you are experiencing division with a sister or brother in Christ. Acknowledge specifically an incident or situation where you have failed in the area of the relationship. Prayerfully examine how pride might be playing a role in the division.
If you become aware of a situation like this, confess your sin to God. And then seek out that brother or sister and ask forgiveness. Ask God to help you both move ahead in reconciliation and unity.
Prayer
Father, forgive me for sometimes allowing pride or other wrong attitudes to lead to division from my brothers and sisters in Christ. Help me to do my part in walking in unity so that we might be more effective witnesses for Jesus and accomplish what you have called us to do. In Jesus' name …
One Body--Many Parts
"Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts but one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well." Romans 12:4-6 NLT
Romans 12 teaches that various members of the body of Christ have special functions and gifts. This applies to us as individuals within the local church. Additionally, all Christian churches and ministries are a part of the Body of Christ. God has a function or purpose for each ministry and draws the people with the appropriate gifts to each one.
Picture the world as a gigantic mosaic with God as the Master Artist. Each piece of the mosaic has its own characteristics, designed especially for the spot God has called it to fill. As each ministry focuses on its calling and is guided by the Holy Spirit, God's plan will be accomplished.
In order for all of us together to accomplish God's plan most effectively, we need to work in unity—setting aside all jealousy and competition and remembering that we belong to each other. We need to respect each other's differences in doctrine, as long as all agree on the basic truths of the Gospel. We need to pray for one other and help one other.
Consider this …
Always remember that your church or ministry is part of the entire Body of Christ, but God has a special plan just for you. You are one part of the Body. The part you play is not any less important—or more important—than any other part. As ministries in each community, in each country, and around the world work together and support each other, each one doing its own part, so much more can be done. Christ-centered unity will withstand the test of time and have the approval of God.
Prayer
Father, I pray that churches and ministries around the world will focus on you and will join more fully together in unity of purpose. Help us all to remember that we are one part of the body of Christ, and that we all belong together. In Jesus' name …
Check Your Focus
"Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love."
Ephesians 4:11-13, 16 NLT
The church of Jesus Christ is God's antidote to the Tower of Babel because its unity is based in the person of Christ, not in the organization of man or is it?
Today's scripture describes in some detail God's plan for the church. To get all the detail, read the entire fourth chapter of Ephesians. God calls for Christ-centered unity, not man-centered. Think about your church and churches throughout the nation. Where is the focus?
Sometimes good intentions go awry and the focus shifts from Jesus to an over-emphasis on things like attendance and giving numbers styles of music using the latest programs providing cutting edge props for the message using all the latest electronic techniques. Sometimes the ministry neglects reaching outside the church to touch the lost and hurting and focuses only on blessing and entertaining the congregation.
Consider this
Consider your own church or ministry. Is it based in the person of Christ or in the organization of man. And consider your own life. Is Jesus your first consideration in all you do? Is he the greatest influence in your life or has the world's influence become more important.
Prayer
Father, help us to stay focused on Jesus in all we doboth in the church and in our personal lives. Forgive me for drifting at times into the world's influence and neglecting yours. In Jesus' name
March 16
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