unity and harmony

Saturday, July 23, 2022 (6:31 a.m.)

Holy God,

I’m calling on the Holy Spirit. The One who is ♪welcome here [to] come flood this place and fill the atmosphere♪

Mm, yes Lord! 

(7:39 a.m.)

You provide us opportunity to experience ♪Your presence Lord There’s nothing worth more That could ever come close No thing can compare You’re our living hope… I’ve tasted and seen Of the sweetest of loves Where my heart becomes free And my shame is undone… Let us become more aware of Your presence Let us experience the glory of Your goodness♪

Mm, absolutely yes Dearest God!

I got to experience that sweetest of loves yesterday. Nudged by the Spirit to ask questions and share an observation with a swimmer, our hearts were freed by tears and chill bumps.

Thank You Father for the chance to share the basis of Your love that extends far beyond just this present time. Our existence goes so much deeper than what we currently experience. Thank You Lord.

Thank You for the work that is being done in regards to the importance of water. With today being designated as World Blue Mind Day, I want to celebrate You along with “the emotional wellness benefits of time spent near, in, on and under healthy waters of all kinds all over the world.”

As I look to You, Your Word and Your Holy Spirit, I ask You to guide me in representing You well this day. The freedom to share my heartfelt thoughts yesterday is something I want to experience regularly. Keep me in tune with You as only You are able.

Searching to learn more about calling on the Holy Spirit, I was referred to Ephesians 2:22. Choosing the context in The Message I begin quoting at verse 16.

“Christ brought us together through His death on the cross. The cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of hostility. Christ came and preached peace to you outsiders [Gentiles] and peace to us insiders [Jews]. He treated us as equals and so made us equals. Through Him we both share the same Spirit and have equal access to the Father” (vs. 16-18)

Blessed God, how truly we need the end of hostility! To unquestionably share Your same Spirit.

“That’s plain enough, isn’t it? You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all - irrespective of how we got here - in what He is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now He’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds the parts together. We see it take shape day after day - a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home” (19-22).

Illustrated Bible Handbook describes “Harmony from Hostility; 2:11-22.” Oh Dearest God! How desperately we are in need of “harmony from hostility”!

Reading further into this section. “Believers are members of a single household (family) headed by the Father (21). And believers are building blocks, fitted together as in a living temple ‘being built together to become a dwelling place in which God lives by His Spirit’ (21,22)… All these differences which cause hostility between persons - race, culture, social status, education, sex - are no longer relevant. In the living church all believers can know a unity and harmony that is impossible for natural man, for it is based on a shared relationship with God.”

Yes please Dearest God. Let us truly share the relationship we have with You, with one another.

I want to live this day being strong in You and Your mighty power (Ephesians 6:10). Do all You must to Your good and glorious end. I love, need and want You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(674 words ~ 8:49 a.m.)