Based on “Gel and Flow Together – Everyone Is Needed” by Pastor Mark Balmer;
7/31-8/01/10, Message #6057; Daily Devotional #3 - “It Is Never All about Me”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!... (1 John 3:1) A view of the world in light of our different goals and aspirations is a very complex picture! Even in a single day, I can imagine people going about in different directions with various purposes. What difference would it make to our world if everyone was united in purpose? For example, if everybody in the world had a common goal to follow peace with all men (Hebrews 12:14) in line with the Word of God, the world would be a much better place. God wants His church to be one, just as God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one (John 17:11).
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1) Many years ago we lost a dear young lady to a heart condition in the congregation where I used to worship. She left behind three young children and a husband. Everybody was upset, but thankful that she died in the Lord. Following her death, it was just beautiful to see how the whole fellowship united in a way they had not done before. People wept together and consoled one another. Contributions were made for the funeral and funds for the children. Although it was a small congregation, people pulled together, putting aside their differences. God, in His faithfulness, comforted the church and consoled His people. This was especially manifested the Sunday after the incident. A guest speaker had been scheduled to minister. I wondered what the minister would say to a hurting church, and I prayed for a breakthrough that morning as the whole church seemed so downcast. The minister of God started preaching, and the Holy Spirit brought such peace, hope, and joy to that place. At the end of the message, the church was lifted and there was hope to carry on. Only God alone could have done that! God has equipped the church to put away selfish desires and work together as one, and that is not necessarily the way the world lives. God is able to perfect His work among Christ followers when they are unified. It glorifies God, and people are blessed as they enjoy encouragement, comfort, God’s mercy, and partnership with the Holy Spirit. The most important thing about unity among believers is the ‘loud and clear’ message to the world and people around.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work (Ephesians 4:16) We all naturally take care of ourselves; the “natural man” is selfish. Regeneration in Christ Jesus makes the difference. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17). God has released us to work in unity with other members of His ‘body’ and be a blessing. Every individual in the church is an essential part, as God has given us all the grace, gifts, and talents for the edification of the body and witnessing to the world. Today let your prayer and mine be, “Lord, all I am and ever going to be, I owe it all to you. Help me to be ever humble and selfless as I serve you in any way and time you choose. Amen.”
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Ephesians 4:1-16
LO
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.