September 14, 2022 … A House Divided …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 257 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Josh Wilson singing … A House Divided … powerfully singing how we are called, as God’s community of believers in Christ, to come together and avoid being divided among ourselves as His Temple, … the Church.  

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Highlight Passage: …  Ephesians 2:21 [NLT] …  

<i>   21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. </i> 

… We, as Christians, become the holy temple of God when we come TOGETHER in His Spirit.                  

Highlight Passage (Context): … Ephesians 2:17-22 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul shows fellow Christians how we must come together in unity to become His unified Temple of believers                                                                                                                          

===============                                                                     .     

Reference Passage: … Psalm 133:1 [ESV] …  

1 How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!   

… King David sings of the heavenly joy when believers can live together in unity and harmony.  

Reference Passage: … Mark 3:24-25 [ESV] …  

24 “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. 25 Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 

… Jesus teaches that a kingdom or a home divided against itself cannot stand.          

Reference Passage: … Galatians 5:15 [ESV] …  

15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another..  

… Paul warns fellow Christians against discord which will destroy the unity of The Church.  

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 4:31-32 [ESV] …  

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. 

… Paul charges fellow Christians to avoid dividing in bitterness and strife; but to come together in Christlike forgiveness and unity .           

                                                                                

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Mike Wittmer … AT THIS LINK … used the story of Abraham Lincoln in his famous “House Divided” speech <b>(see photo)</b>, warning a nation, as did Jesus (in Mark 3:24-25), that a house - or nation - divided against itself will never stand.        

And I think we know that unity and community within the church is a repeated them in God’s word (see Scriptures above).  So, today we need to ask ourselves; … what can each of us do to promote unity in my home, … my church, … and my country?   And God’s Spirit, again thru His word, will likely point us to avoid strife and bitterness and to promote Christlike forgiveness and sharing in our family and community today, … especially in these days of division and strife. 

Do I sense an “AMEN!”  I pray so!!                 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for calling us to avoid strife and promote the unity of fellow Christians.            

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to come TOGETHER in Your Church, Lord, to promote the unity and strength of Your Body.     .… Amen

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Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.