Power, Love and Unity

9-4-11

Ephesians 4:1-8, “¹ As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. ⁷ But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high,
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”

You are called of God. Each one of us has been given a gift that we are called to use to bless those around us and to live a life worthy of the cost Jesus paid. I have to wonder sometimes if we really understand what God has given to us. Today you are reading this so He gave you breath you are alive. I know some of you may find it hard to believe that something like that is a gift from God but it is a much more complex activity than you may realize it’s not just the breathing but it’s the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide within your body. That are affected by this it controls all you are able to do. God provides your needs and sometimes we take that for granted we need air, water and food. We need love and relationship our desire for love comes from Him. Sometimes it is hard to sit by and wait on Him to move the obstacles in our lives but he is the only one that can move them and they will stay moved. Jesus never healed anyone that five minutes later came back and said I lost my sight again can you make it last longer this time. When we allow our faith in who he is to fail we fail in our ability to trust in Him and his power. Bartimaues understood who could heal him and give him his sight he yelled out to Jesus and God delivered Him out of Darkness, when we believe on Jesus we are able to point others to Jesus who is the answer to all of our questions and trials. Those who believe have a shared hope and spirit lets today allow that to come together to move the world a little closer to God. Pray for one another and join with a group of believers today for worship. It will strengthen who you are in Christ.