Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. - Ephesians 4:3
When we open the book of Acts, we hear Jesus promise twice in the first few verses to send the Holy Spirit to empower the early disciples as they go to all nations to share the good news of Jesus. As we read further, we see the Holy Spirit at work to break down every barrier — geographical, cultural, racial, economic, political, and social — to make the people who come to Jesus into one new people. Paul reflects on the great grace of God in Ephesians chapters 1-3.
In today's verse, he challenges Jesus' followers to make every effort to keep what the Holy Spirit and the grace of God had worked to create: a people united by the Holy Spirit and held together with the bond of peace. He wanted them to "wage peace"! He wanted them to be peacemakers and not just "peacewanters." Making peace only can happen when we allow the Spirit to control our hearts while we earnestly and diligently strive to be united through the Spirit as God's children.
Matthew 5:14
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Darkness dominates our world. Despite appearances, darkness controls so much of what is said and how it is viewed by the world. When someone lives for Christ, they will be noticed. Their allegiance to Jesus and his righteousness cannot be ignored. So what are we going to do with that light?
Are others going to see and be drawn to our Father in Heaven who sent his Son as Savior? Or, are they going to reject the way of Christ because our walk is all talk and not much service? Let's let them see God's grace through our lives so they will come to know the Savior!
Thoughts
. My children, the three acts of faith, hope, and charity contain all the happiness of man upon the earth…John Vianney
. The next time you are called to suffer, pay attention. It may be the closest you'll ever get to God…Max Lucado
. When the dream planted in our heart is one that God has planted there, a strange happiness flows into us. At that moment all of the spiritual resources of the universe are released to help us…Catherine Marshall
. A happy marriage is a long conversation that always seems too short…Andre Maurois
When we open the book of Acts, we hear Jesus promise twice in the first few verses to send the Holy Spirit to empower the early disciples as they go to all nations to share the good news of Jesus. As we read further, we see the Holy Spirit at work to break down every barrier — geographical, cultural, racial, economic, political, and social — to make the people who come to Jesus into one new people. Paul reflects on the great grace of God in Ephesians chapters 1-3.
In today's verse, he challenges Jesus' followers to make every effort to keep what the Holy Spirit and the grace of God had worked to create: a people united by the Holy Spirit and held together with the bond of peace. He wanted them to "wage peace"! He wanted them to be peacemakers and not just "peacewanters." Making peace only can happen when we allow the Spirit to control our hearts while we earnestly and diligently strive to be united through the Spirit as God's children.
Matthew 5:14
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Darkness dominates our world. Despite appearances, darkness controls so much of what is said and how it is viewed by the world. When someone lives for Christ, they will be noticed. Their allegiance to Jesus and his righteousness cannot be ignored. So what are we going to do with that light?
Are others going to see and be drawn to our Father in Heaven who sent his Son as Savior? Or, are they going to reject the way of Christ because our walk is all talk and not much service? Let's let them see God's grace through our lives so they will come to know the Savior!
Thoughts
. My children, the three acts of faith, hope, and charity contain all the happiness of man upon the earth…John Vianney
. The next time you are called to suffer, pay attention. It may be the closest you'll ever get to God…Max Lucado
. When the dream planted in our heart is one that God has planted there, a strange happiness flows into us. At that moment all of the spiritual resources of the universe are released to help us…Catherine Marshall
. A happy marriage is a long conversation that always seems too short…Andre Maurois
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