Based on “Stand Firm and Stand United” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 7/24-25/10
Message #6056; Daily Devotional #1 - “United for Christ”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): I have interesting looking feet at times. I always send them off to the same place together but they aren’t always dressed alike. They have been known to show up at work with two entirely different shoes on, or a shoe on one and a slipper on the other; like men wearing two different socks, only more obvious to the observant ones around me. What is important is that they are united in where they are going (such a blessing for me, huh?). As Christ followers we may look different, think a little differently, dress differently, have very different personalities, but we must walk together, united for Christ. We are all headed to the same place one day soon, and life is about how we live; loving God and loving others. Since we are headed to the same place, Heaven, shouldn’t we agree on how to get there? Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? (Amos 3:3, NLT)
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): I don’t just have both my feet going to the same place—the rest of my body shows up too, hallelujah! All my parts are members of the same body, and to function they must agree on where we are going. This makes my whole body valuable to me (priceless). Since we are a part of the body of Christ, how valuable does that make you? 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 of one body, and we all belong to each other. (Romans 12:4-5, NLT) We are a body united in Christ. We will all face trials and tribulations, and some of us will suffer for Christ’s sake in a greater way, but all will need to stay strong and hopeful. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6 NLT)
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Let us all agree to honor God with our obedience in being united in love for Christ’s sake. We are here to get the job done and get it done God’s way; the job being to evangelize the world by daily obedience to our commitment to love God and love others (John 15:17). Will we suffer? Sometimes we will, but the rewards far outweigh our present sufferings (Romans 8:18). So let us stand together in unity, fight together for the faith, and stand bold and fearless in persecution and suffering, walking the path to true freedom together. We are united in Christ. Your feet will always go where you direct them, but will you always go where God directs you?
Cultivating (Additional Reading): John 8:12; Psalm 91
bam
Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.
New Living Translation = NLT.