SCRIPTURES: 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (See also Ephesians 4:1-6). Also note that just before His arrest, Jesus prayed that His followers would be united as one. (See John 17:11 & 17:21-23)
THOUGHT: Western thought and behavior is dominated by individualism and the drive for unique, personal self-expression. However, deep inside of you is the God-imparted desire to be a part of something and especially Someone Greater than yourself – that is your Creator, God Himself. When you accept Jesus Christ as Savior, it is Holy Spirit who unites you with all others, whether past, present or future, who have made or will make that same choice. Isolation and separation from the body of believers is the work of Satan. God’s Holy Spirit joins you in unity with God as a redeemed child, and plants you with a local body of believers for fellowship, accountability and spiritual safety. When you surrender to the order of Holy Spirit in the unity of the body of Christ it brings you Love, Joy, Peace and so much more. (See also Galatians 5:22-23)
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Thank You for bringing to my attention the importance You have deemed for me to be in unity with You, Your Spirit and my fellow believers. I will remain where You plant me. I will not to resist the accountability required in standing shoulder to shoulder, looking eye to eye with my fellow brothers and sisters. I will not resist the bonding that develops as I grow in the Spirit, in Faith, in Fellowship and in Relationship with my brothers and sisters. Thank you for making Love, Joy and Peace possible in my life, in the unity of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!