Daily Diary - April 12th 2016

United In Jesus!

There are different types of ministry, as God uses His servants in unique ways.  The call of God for me personally is that we have unity in the Body of Christ.  This unity comes from loving God, loving one another, and helping other people in ministry, even if they are not in "our" particular group, church or denomination.

John 9:38 John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.”

³⁹ “Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. ⁴⁰ Anyone who is not against us is for us. ⁴¹ If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.

We are one body in Christ Jesus and we are united under one kingdom.  In my heart as a Christian, I see so many people that talk poorly about other churches denominations and Christians out of a spirit of self-pride or jealousy.  This is true because people compete for attendance numbers in their building rather than souls that need help. 

It is important that we do what God wants and not what grows our church or denomination.  The will of the father will take care of those that take care of His children.  Church growth and success is not always in numbers but rather obedience to doing the will of the father and being in unity with other Christians. 

We need to share resources, talents and gifts in all types of ministry to help those in need.

Matthew 12:24-26 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”

²⁵ But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.²⁶ If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

I believe this statement holds true in the body of Christ.  If we are divided as churches or denominations because of our selfish pride in “Our” work, rather than loving others as Jesus commanded, we are at civil war in the church.  A spirit of jealousy and pride is allowed to run rampant in the body of Christ and it causes weakness in our goal as Christians. 

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

We must stay focused on the will of the father and allow His hand to guide us into our ministry destiny that was founded by His plan.

Father, I pray we see the needs of your people before our own.  Reveal your love to your children so we can unite in the common goal of the great commission in Jesus name! Amen.

Great Commission:

Matthew 28:16-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.