The Long Way Around

'For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'.  Jeremiah 29:11

I know exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up by the time I was thirteen (and probably sooner). And from that point I mapped out my course and set the wheels in motion to make it happen.  Of course at that age I didn't know much about God's will and how to seek His face for direction.  I knew that I wasn't planning anything bad so God should be okay with my choices.  What I didn't realize was that even as a child God had a clear purpose and plan for my life and was just waiting on me to ask Him for direction in order to fulfill His purpose for my life.  (If I only knew then what I know now maybe I wouldn't have had to long way around to where I am now).  Of course you're probably wondering what I mean by that. 

Let's fast forward a few years to 2012.  I bet you are all wondering if all the things I set out to do and become have come to pass.  My answer to that question is "not quite".  Here is what actually happened.  I graduated from high school number one in my class, went to college at Oklahoma State University but didn't actually graduate from college until I was thirty-six.  I got married and divorced and then married again.  Instead of being a teacher I ended up working in Human Resources and teaching got pushed to the back burner.  But instead of being disappointed by things not turning out the way I planned, I am glad for everything that happened in my life. God had a master plan.  It just took me a little longer see it. Better yet it took me a little longer to ask Him what that plan was.  As I look back over my life I find that only when I stopped being true to the person I knew I was did I stray away from the path God had for me.  I haven't yet fully arrived but I am a bit wiser. I realize now that 'God's thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are His ways my ways'  (Isaiah 55:8)   And even with this knowledge I still don't always asked God for His input in the major decisions in my life. To be honest I don't even always ask Him about the less important decisions in my life either.  (You would think that I would know better by now.)  And because of this I find myself in situations I could have avoided or at least handled differently. My life could be considered a primary example of the phrase that says, 'we plan and God laughs'.  All too often it takes us longer than necessary to arrive at the place God intended for us to be at all along.  Now this is not a place devoid of storms but it is a place full of love, grace and mercy, shelter, refuge, peace and joy because through it all God is with us.  He will never leave us nor forsake us. Walking in His will and according to His plan for your life is the best place to be. 

The Bible says 'If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5) So why do we avoid asking God to direct our paths?  I can't answer this question for you but I can tell you why I avoid asking God at times.  Mainly because I don't really want to hear what He has to say.  There are some things I know that He is going to tell me not to do or not to say but at the time the decision feels right.  I'm going to take that job because it pays the right amount of money even though it keeps me away from my family and church. I am going to keep dating that man or that woman even though the more I hang with them the further away from God and the church I seem to get.  In fact I would much rather be laid up on Sunday morning than driving across town to church.  If I go to church, he/she may leave me.  I'm going to continue to hang with that friend who is not a positive influence because if I don't I won't have any other friends and I don't trust that God will bring people of a 'like mind' into my life.  Someone who will encourage me to be a better person, who will be honest with me and call me out on my mess. And plus, I may miss out on all the latest gossip. So I continue on with my plans, ignoring the voice of the Holy Spirit trying to steer me back on the right path. 

Now I know that I am not alone in this.  Many of us don't know any other way but to do it our way first and then allow God to whoop us into submission.  Today I want to give you something to think about - a new way of doing things.  Instead of doing things your way and making your own plans, try asking God first.  And when He responds contrary to what you have already planned just go with it.  This may sound a little crazy at first because maybe you think your life is working just fine doing things the way you are currently doing them.  Or maybe you are afraid that your life is about to completely change and you are afraid.  I read something the other day in the book 'On Mission with God - Living God's Purpose For His Glory' by Avery T. Willis, Jr. and Henry Blackaby and that 'You might not get to the destination you first had in mind, but you will get to HIS destination for your life - a far better arrival point then you had planned'.  And here's another secret that I will share with you, as you read His Word and allow it to change your life you will find that what you want for your life falls more in line with what God wants for you as well.  Funny how it works out that way.  Which is why I believe He says in His Word to 'seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and ALL these things shall be added unto you' (Matt. 6:33).  God stands ready, willing and able to not only meet your needs but also give you some of your wants.  We only have to trust Him.  I will tell you one thing I know for sure, the longer you avoid seeking God first you will continue to take the long way around to where God wants you to be. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father:

Thank you for loving me and caring enough about me to allow me to come boldly before you asking anything, knowing that You will always answer me.  Right now I come to you seeking direction and guidance as I continue along this journey called life.  I know that I haven't always come to You first but I want to change all that.  I want to be all that you desire for me to be and on this day I surrender my all.  Help me to walk according to Your will and Your way.  In Jesus' Precious Name I pray Amen. 

My Tribute

'How can I say thanks for the things you have done for me; things so undeserved yet you gave to prove your love to me...' Andre Crouch

These words are the first to lines in the song My Tribute.  As I sit and reflect on my life a year ago, the words of this song keep running through my mind.  It makes me think about how precious it is for someone to care enough about you to be concerned with your spiritual life.  To want nothing more than to see you become more spiritually mature in Christ.  I have been fortunate enough to have several people who have poured into me spiritually. My parents were very instrumental in this during my childhood years.  But on this day there is one person who was the most instrumental in growing me up in the Lord during my young adult to adult years..  That person was none other than the late Pastor A. G. Woodberry.  He gave all he had to me and so many others and I will be eternally grateful.  I can't help but say 'To God be the glory"!

 

So many times I have questioned God in my life, wondering why certain things had to happen.  I have tried to live a pretty decent life.  Yes I messed up along the way a few times but overall I've been okay.  I remember as a child how much my parents poured into me the Word of God.  Scripture after scripture.  Sometimes I was like, "Will it ever be enough?"  But it wasn't until I begin to have my own set of tests and trials that the Word became alive.  I began to understand what it meant to pray Psalm 91 over myself and my family.  How many days the only thing that kept me going was 'dwelling in the secret place of the Most High'.  Getting to the point that I recognized my enemy for who he is - Satan - and because of that being sure to put on the whole armor of God everyday.  However those things only got me part of the way.  It was when I became a member of the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church that I developed a hunger that went from Sunday morning worship to Wednesday night Bible Study to Fall Revival all the way to my living room, my bedroom, in my car, throughout my day.  I wanted to know more.  So much so that I started teaching. 

 

That is what this life is about.  Giving back to others.  Encouraging one another.  Putting others before ourselves.  I thank God for every opportunity I have to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. In fact my daily prayer is "Lord let your light so shine that others may see YOU in me and help me to see the unspoken need that I will be able to minister to those I come in contact with."  I wish that everyone would be saved and receive all the wonderful things that God wants them to have.  Stop wasting time.  Make each day count.  And when you give - give your all.  That is what Pastor Woodberry did.  I cannot remember a time when he did not give his ALL.  Even up until the day of his departure.  He cared enough about His flock to want us to see that no matter what was going on in your life (sickness to the point of daily pain) that God is still God!  He is sitting on the throne.  That our praise has nothing to do with our we feel.  All of these things are still helping me as I face trials in my life.  And I am grateful.  That is why I can say "To God be the glory!"  This is why I continue to serve the Lord.  That is why some days when I think things are so bad in my life and I think about him or hear his voice, I start to praise God through my pain. How many times have you heard that when you focus on God instead of your problem, the problem starts to get smaller?  Maybe you have heard it but never tried it.  Today I dare you to try it!  I'm not telling you what I heard but what I know.  Even as I type these words with somewhat of a heavy heart, I start praising God, humming 'I still have joy', knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that EVERYTHING is going to be alright. 

 

 Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Right now I don't know how to put into words what I'm feeling so I just want to say Thank You.  Thank you for thinking enough of me to place people in my path that encouraged me to grow spiritually.  Help me to be the kind of person that gives back to others what You have so graciously deposited in me.  In Jesus' Precious Name Amen. 

 

 

 

Press

...forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13b-14, ESV

Some days no matter how hard I try it is difficult to move forward.  My entire life I have been harder on myself than anyone else could ever be.  So when something is out of order in my life or doesn't go according to plan, I struggle.  There...I said it.  Yes me, the Encourager, writer of this blog, struggles. I'm that one they talk about smiling on the outside while crying on the inside because I don't always know how to deal with the challenges that I have to face. I struggle to be all that God wants me to be, often times falling short.  The difference though in my struggle is that I choose not to give up.  Instead I continue to PRESS.  You see, I have an objective.  A goal ahead of me. My ultimate goal is heaven.  But in the meanwhile my goal is to continue steadfast in the ministry God has purposed me for. 

As of late this has been a little more difficult.  My life seems to be a constant battle of ups and downs.  For a while things seem to be going along well and then a shift in the wind occurs and I'm in storm once again.  And the hardest part for me in this storm is that I know that it is just a test.  God is taking me through to pull more out of me to be used for His glory.  It doesn't mean I like it though.  Sometimes in the midst of my storm I feel like I'm all churched out. (Tamela Mann - Take Me to the King).  I just need a minute to breathe.  Now I know there are some saints who may read this that may say this is not a very Christian response.  But I beg to differ.  Jesus Christ, when on the eve of the cross, when to His Heavenly Father, in agony asking 'if it be possible remove this cup from me, nevertheless, not my will but thine be done'.  God never said that it would be easy.  But He did tell us that we could make it through.  By leaning on the everlasting arms of Jesus.  By trusting in His Word.  There are times when I am afraid that this trial is going to be the one that finally overtakes me.  Yet I find a way to make it through.  I continue to PRESS.  I make a conscious decision to stay my course.  Through every disappointment, difficulty and discouragement - Heaven is my goal. 

How do I PRESS?  Mainly with praise.  These past few months have taught me that through every trial God is still good.  And once I begin praising Him I can't help but feel better.  I become a little bit more determined to continue on.  To finish my race.  Life happens.  Obstacles come.  But I don't have the option of stopping short of my goal.  I may be a little weak at times but that is when I begin to meditate day and night on my treasure chest of scriptures.  Verses likes II Corinthians 4:16-18, 'Therefore we do not lose heart, though outwardly we are are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentatry afflictions are achieving a far greater worth in glory, so I fix my eyes not on what I can be see but what I cannot see that is eternal' when I can't see past the hear and now.   Jeremiah 29:11, 'For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future' when I start to feel like the situation is hopeless.  II Timothy 1:7,  'For God has not given me the Spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind' when the devil tries to play tricks on my mind. A good friend of mine shared with me this statement.  "The devil would like nothing better than for you to feel defeated without a fight". But didn't you know the devil's already been defeated at Calvary when they hung my Savior on the cross, put nails in His hands and feet, a crown of thorns on His head, pierced Him in the side, and buried Him in a borrowed tomb.  But thank God this story doesn't end there because three days later He got up with ALL POWER. And you and I can stand on this power.  We don't have to live a defeated life.  We just have to go to God and admit that we are weak, knowing that it is during our times of weakness that God shows Himself mighty and strong  Keep pressing on towards your goal and remember you are not alone.   

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Life for me lately hasn't been much fun.  It appears to be one struggle after another.  I've been close to giving up and throwing in the towel.  But then I remember that I am not in this by myself and You only want what's best for me.  And sometimes You have to push and poke and pull to get out of me what You have deposited in me.  So Lord help me to press on through every trial, praising Your Name all the way through.  In Jesus' Precious Name I pray Amen.

Joy Will Come

I've been told all my life not to question God.  However, when circumstances and situations in life start to overwhelm me and try to steal my joy, I have to be honest and say that I start to question the promises of God.  Namely one that at times seems cliche.  Ministers quote it in sermons. You hear it in Sunday School, Christian conferences, gospel sings, etc.  You know the one...'And we know that all things work together for the good of them who love the Lord; who are the called according to His purpose'. Romans 8:28. But I'll say again when your world get turned upside down with a statement made by someone you love, death in your family, loss of a job, a major illness, it is difficult to believe that "ALL THINGS" will work together for the good.  Maybe you are one of those Christians who has it all together and never questions God or has doubt but I need to have a moment of honesty and say that is not me one hundred percent of the time. And furthermore, I believe God knows that and it's alright. 

Sitting at work today and listening to my Richard Smallwood station on Pandora and the song 'Joy Will Come' came on and immediately my day turned around.  The chorus of the song simply says 'If you hold out til morning, I know that joy will come'.  Think about that for a minute.  Even when I may be having a moment of weakness, unable to control the circumstances of life, I continue to see God's hand guiding and directing me (even in something simple as a song).  Directing me back to the Word of God. The verse that say, "Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning".  Psalm 30:5  My question for the day is "When is morning?" I have concluded during my thirty-eight years of life that the morning that the Psalmist was referring to is not confined to a twenty-four hour time frame.  For many of our storms, you don't lie down at night and wake up in the morning and everything is all better.  At least my night time experiences haven't always worked out that way.  Yet we are assured that morning is inevitable.  All we have to do is hold on. 

What does that mean for you?  That sorrow in life, no matter in what form, is always TEMPORARY!  Somebody say TEMPORARY with me.  That's how excited I was today when once again the Holy Spirit orchestrated a musical interlude in my mind that included a conversation that said, "Hold on just a little while longer. Rest assure that I, your God, am working behind the scenes on your situation and all I need you to do is submit to my directing.  Lean not on your own understanding.  Pray without ceasing. I Thess. 5:17  Rejoice in tribulation knowing that tribulation produces patience. And patience, experience; and experience, hope.  Rom. 5:3-4 Hope in what?  Hope in God!  Now I'm not a betting woman but I would bet that this is not your first storm.  So why are you stressing?  Hasn't God seen you through all the other storms?  I don't even know what you are going through right now but I know the answer to my previous question is a resounding YES!  God is faithful.  Man may disappoint you and let you down but my God has all power and He is not capable of going back on His Word.  No matter how dark the night, MORNING is on the way.  No cute sayings or three-point outlines today.  It wasn't what God spoke to me but what He did say is Hold on....JOY WILL COME!

Most gracious heavenly Father,

God you know me better than I know myself.  You know what's best for me; what I need better than anyone. And today I just want to thank You for your Word that says...'You will supply my needs according to Your riches in glory'.  Lord help me not to put parameters on the blessings You have in store for my life.  Expand my heart and mind to realize and accept the intangible benefits that you are able to meet as well.  Thank you Lord for grace. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.  In Jesus' Precious name Amen. 

Life Application:

What is going on in your life right now that is making you question God.  Be honest with yourself.
What is holding you back from turning the situation over to God?
Find three promises in God's Word that you can pray that will help you to release the situation to Almighty God.  Meditate on these verses morning, noon and night. 

If Only...I Will

For she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” Matthew 9:21

Have you ever been so full with something that the Lord has revealed to you that you just have to share it with somebody else?!?!  That is definitely how I feel today.  I can't take all the credit for the impregnation of this thought (Thank you Pastor Gaddis).  It is so awesome to be able to sit at work and listen to the Word.  And the more I sat and meditated on the verse above, the more the Holy Spirit began to reveal things to me.  I couldn't wait to get home from work so I could start writing. I don't know about you but one of the major struggles I have had in this Christian walk was my faith.  It seems that just as soon as I utter the words Amen the devil begins to try to creep into my thoughts telling me that it won't happen.  Relationship woes...I tell myself "nothing will ever change.  Financial difficulties...I tell myself  "I'm just not meant to have more than I have".   Major illness... I tell myself "I'm just going to learn to live with it".  There have been  times when I was at the end of my rope; I knew that I needed to pray so I did.  But my level of faith was no where near where it needed to be.  I may have uttered the same words as this woman with an issue of blood but instead of really trying to get to Jesus I was trying to figure out what I could do in my own strength. Anybody else been there? 

We've all heard this story in sermons for years. I remember reading it as a child in the collection of blue Bible story books my parents had.  Here we have a woman who has been dealing with this issue of blood for twelve long years.  We don't know what her day to day life was like but I like to imagine her just peddling along, going through the motions.  Not complaining, perhaps even comfortable.  Trying to make the best of the cards she had been dealt.  But on this day maybe she heard the chatter that Jesus had just healed a paralytic man and even now was headed through town to go see about the ruler's daughter so she began to move toward Jesus, maybe slowly at first but then as the excitement built in her spirit about who she was about to encounter her steps became more determined. (Sidenote: Our hearts should always be glad and excited at the thought of encountering Jesus.) There she was no longer embarassed by her situation or concerned with the delicate nature of her condition.  She had one goal - to get to Jesus.   Placing myself in her shoes, I'm thinking I probably would have prayed about it initially maybe even for a few years but twelve?  As the years rolled on I would have eventually said, "I'm just going to learn to live with it."  But that's not what she did.  Maybe there were times when her faith waivered.  Life will do that to you sometimes. But even after twelve long years she had enough faith to know that if she could just get to Jesus.  It makes me think about a bad, stressful beginning of the week at work and me thinking to myself if I can just get to Prayer Meeting and Bible Study, I know I will be able to make it through the rest of the week.  Or maybe when I've just gotten some bad news on Saturday and I go to bed thinking, If only I can get to church on Sunday morning, I know God will show up.  Or things not going right at home and I think to myself, If I can just get to my prayer closet and turn it over to Jesus, I know He will work it out!  Ever been there?

You see, I believe that there are just some things after a while you ought to know.  You shouldn't have the same faith you had when you first got saved. Where's your confidence?  The Bible tells us in Psalm 146:3, 'Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save'. No matter what the situation you should be able to say that God is able.  I don't have to see it and no matter how long it takes I know that God is going to do it.  I don't worry about the method because I trust God's motives and that is 'all things are working together for my good' and His glory.  Whatever your situation, no matter how long it has been going on I dare you to say 'If only I can just get to Jesus, I know everything is going to be alright'.  And I challenge you not to stop there.  With an attitude of expecancy, start praising God. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Almighty God, Holy One, Redeemer, Waymaker. I just can't help but praise You, in spite of my situation You are still worthy.  Please forgive me for those times my faith has waivered. Lord increase my faith.  Help me to be persistent while I'm pressing my way to you. Because I know that once I turn the issue over to you everything is going to be alright.   Help me to encourage others who may be weak in their faith.   In Jesus' Precious Name I pray Amen. 

Life Application:

1.  What situation(s)  in my life right now am I trying to handle in my own strength? 

2.  In what ways can I be more effective in getting to Jesus, i.e. read my Bible more, pray more?

Perfect Peace

One of my favorite songs started playing on satellite radio on my way home today.  It was the remade version by Marvin Sapp but the words were still the same. The lyrics of the song are simple.  "I will keep you in perfect peace.  All whose mind is stayed on thee", taken from Isaiah 26:3, 'You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you'. But what is perfect peace?  My answer is simple - something most people long for but very seldom obtain.  Why?  Because we like to worry too much.  It's hard not to want to be in control of every aspect of our lives.  And when even the slightest thing gets out of sync, any peace you thought you had goes out the window.  At least that is what used to happen to me.  But now I get it.

I believe that there is one very important concept every Christian needs to know and that is 'in this life you will have trouble'. (John 16:33)  And as soon as you embrace that fact and stop trying to avoid it your life we get so much better.  Most of us spend our lives trying to avoid tests and trials.  We don't want to go through anything.  We want our lives to always be coming up roses.  Well I stopped by to tell you today, "It's not going to happen."  And furthermore, you shouldn't want it to.  I know that you may be comfortable with the person you are and may even think that you don't need any changes.  You may think that you have gone through enough and the lesson should be over.  Don't you know that it is through this process that you are made into the person God wants you to be so that He can get the glory out of your life.  Stop whining every time you go through something!  Instead 'Praise God' because He loves you so much that He doesn't want to leave you in that pitiful state.  He desires to mold you and make you into the image of His Son.

What is this 'perfect peace' thing Isaiah was talking about?  It is the confidence that we have in knowing that God has everything under control.  It is not becoming agitated through the process but instead praising your way through to the other side.  The actual definition of the word peace is a state of tranquility or freedom from disturbance.  So how do we get to a state of perfect peace?  We must keep our minds stayed on Jesus.  On His Promise, His Power and His Presence.  I've been spending time just going through the Word and meditating on God's promises to us. I realized for the first time how endless these promises are.  Oh my goodness there are so many and they are all for me (and YOU).  And then I start to think about His Power.  God is Omnipresent (He's everywhere at all times).  He's Omniscient (He knows everything). He's All Sufficient, the God who provides, my Healer, Almighty God.  All of these things pointing back to His power.  But none of these things matter more than to me than His presence.  I know now what the old folks meant when they used to say "I wouldn't want a religion that I couldn't feel sometimes." 

Have you ever just been in a funk and then all of sudden you start to think about Jesus.  Maybe you start humming a song like 'Nobody greater, nobody greater, nobody greater than You'.  Or maybe you're more old school and you start to sing 'Can't nobody do me like Jesus' or even a simple song like Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so'.  Or maybe singing is not your thing so you instead start to remind yourself of the promises of God.  'And we know that ALL THINGS work together for the good of them who love the Lord'. (Rom 8:28)  'The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want'. (Ps. 23:1)   'For I know the plans that I have for you, saith the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'.  (Jer. 29:11) 'But my God shall supply ALL my needs according to His riches in glory'. (Phil. 4:19) And when you start to remind yourself of these promises something comes over you and you start to feel better.  And what is that feeling - Perfect Peace. You cannot keep your mind stayed on Jesus and be stressed out.  You can't worry about tomorrow thinking those thoughts that are pure, lovely, honest and of good report. Betrayal, financial distress, sickness, divorce, death...no matter what the situation you are not shaken.  There is no secret to having perfect peace.  It's available to us all. It's time out for putting your trust in your job, your spouse, or 'who you know'.  You must put your trust in God.  He will never let you down. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father:

I praise Your Name today because You are holy, righteous, Omnipresent, Omniscient. I thank You because You're a forgiving God.   I ask that You forgive me of my sins...those commited in word, thought, or deed.  Life continues to go on around me.  So many things happening that I have no control over to me and to those I love.  But I thank You for being a God of Peace. When everything is falling apart all around me I can trust in You.  I need not worry about anything because I know You have it under control.  Help me to recognize it in all situations, no matter how big or small.  And help me to show others that they too can have perfect peace in You.  In Jesus' Name Amen. 

Life Application:

1.  Make a list of all the things that are causing you stress right now.  Say a prayer turning all those things over to Jesus.  If you are a visual person, ball the paper up and throw it in the trash, signifying your truly giving it over to God.

2.  Make a list of at least five promises in God's Word.  Make a commitment to memorize these verse this week. 

Walk Worthy of Your Calling, Part III

...to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesian 4:3

So how have you been doing on your self-examination through the eyes of the Word?  Me?  I've been doing okay some days and on other days I have to admit that I have failed horribly.  I have to do a better job with my tongue. (I'll be talking about that on different day.)  There are days when I ask myself what is it all for?  Paul ended these verses by answering that exact question.  Why must we be in the right position, with the right perspective and the right posture?  So that you can work toward the right purpose - 'to preserve the unity of the Spirit of the bond of peace'.  This means doing things not as men pleasers but unto the Lord.

I know that you may be thinking that all this is just too difficult.  Let me clue you in on something.  What Spirit is Paul talking about?  The Holy Spirit, of course.  You see, because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit it's really not that difficult to get along with others as we think, especially our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. Why not?  Because the Holy Spirit is the divine spiritual ligament that holds us together.  Put aside those petty differences and work at getting along.  He/she may have a different background or come from a different part of town.  You may find yourself irritated at the immaturity of some believers in the body of Christ.  Lest we forget, it took GOD and the Word to bring about a change in your life.  It's not about being the best of friends, when it comes to the cause of Christ we all must work together.  We must get past showing the qualities that Paul talked about in verse 2 to those we like only and move to showing them to those who we don't like or those who might not like us. 

True unity in the body of believers already exists through the work of the Holy Spirit but we must work hard to preserve it.  Be diligent - which suggests difficulty and a resolute determination to overcome the difficulty.  Simply put - WORK AT IT!  Take a moment to think about those things that are important to you.  Those relationships you hold near and dear.  The one's that you wouldn't want to end.  I bet you have had to show humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance and unconditional love in order to maintain those relationships.  Now God is challenging us to show those same qualities to everyone we come in contact with.  I know it seems difficult but remember God has provided each of us with the abilities we didn't have and given us every spiritual blessing. 

As children of God we should always be growing, asking God to examine our lives so that we can see those things within us that are not like Him.  It's not the easiest thing to apologize when you don't think you have done anything wrong, but you can.  And how do you handle the person who is smiling in your face while talking behind your back or about someone you love?  Will you still pray for that individual when he/she is going through?  With God you can!  Ask yourself the next time you are faced with a difficult situation - "How can I show humility, gentleness, and patience?  Help me Lord to show forbearance to my brother and my sister in love."  How else are we set apart from the world?  Jesus himself said, 'by this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you have love one for another'. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the revelation through Your Word.  Let it be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my pathway.  Help me to hide Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you.  Help me to bring every ambition, thought, reaction to situations under the control of the Holy Spirit. I want to be conformed to the image of Your Son.  Give me the spirit of discernment in my relationships to always respond in love.  Continue to expose the sin in my life.  Thank You for another chance to do it right. Let my life be an example so that others may see You in me.  In Jesus' Name Amen.

Life Application:

1.  To walk worthy means being aware of all of our relationships. Identify those people who are  hindering your walk.  Things?  Pray and turn them over to God. 

2.  What immediate changes can I make to work at preserving unity in the body of Christ - in my church?  In my home?  On my job?