For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.
—Ephesians 4:4-6 NLT
Unity is more than just getting along. At the core of maintaining unity and keeping the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3), there is ONE core reality. Paul emphasizes this core reality by using "one" seven times. These seven immutable and essential elements of our faith include the "one Spirit" — the Holy Spirit of God who is at work in us. We must never let the Spirit of God become relegated to a place of diminished importance. We must, however, realize that just as the "one Lord" animates and defines the "one hope," the "one faith," and the "one baptism," so also the "one Spirit" empowers and defines the nature of our being the "one body" as we seek to honor the "one God."
Yahweh, you are the one God. I commit to love you with all of my heart, my soul, my mind, and my strength. I praise you for revealing yourself as Father, Son, and Spirit. I thank you for the Lord Jesus, the Son, the basis of my Christian faith, the source of my hope, and the focus of my baptism. I thank you for being present in me as the Spirit, my connection to your body, the church, and to you. May what I think and how I live bring honor to you as the one God. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
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—Ephesians 4:4-6 NLT
Key Thought
Unity is more than just getting along. At the core of maintaining unity and keeping the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3), there is ONE core reality. Paul emphasizes this core reality by using "one" seven times. These seven immutable and essential elements of our faith include the "one Spirit" — the Holy Spirit of God who is at work in us. We must never let the Spirit of God become relegated to a place of diminished importance. We must, however, realize that just as the "one Lord" animates and defines the "one hope," the "one faith," and the "one baptism," so also the "one Spirit" empowers and defines the nature of our being the "one body" as we seek to honor the "one God."
Today's Prayer
Yahweh, you are the one God. I commit to love you with all of my heart, my soul, my mind, and my strength. I praise you for revealing yourself as Father, Son, and Spirit. I thank you for the Lord Jesus, the Son, the basis of my Christian faith, the source of my hope, and the focus of my baptism. I thank you for being present in me as the Spirit, my connection to your body, the church, and to you. May what I think and how I live bring honor to you as the one God. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Continue reading...
