Wisdom and Unity!

Wisdom and Unity!

Pray for wisdom and unity!  This has been our cry for the past several months as Center Hill Community Church has neared our vote on her building expansion program.  We have been in much prayer and consultation with builders, members, and like minded ministries as we have come to this time which will set the tone and direction for God’s ministry here in Jefferson County for years to come.  Praise God, He has given us that unity thus far. I have been preaching a series of messages on unity in the church which has focused on Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,  eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.   And Philippians 2:1-2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. I have been most impressed in this study that the Apostle Paul writes from the perspective that unity in the body of Christ is our NATURAL state and if we find ourselves at odds in the body, it is UNNATURAL, not our intended condition.  So often before it seemed to me that unity was something that we had to attain.  Not so.  Just as we cannot boast in our own work of salvation, so the Holy Spirit has placed us into such close sweet communion with fellow believers making us heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, that it is natural for us be of one mind and purpose.  It is true that we must work to maintain the unity of the body because of selfish desires of our individual hearts but the Holy Spirit has already done the work upon salvation in placing us in unity in the body of Christ which we call the church.  We shouldn’t be surprised when we see a local body of believers so closely walking shoulder to shoulder that they are a billboard to a world filled with self interests and division, a billboard for the transforming power of the gospel of Christ.  We shouldn’t be surprised but we are because that body of believers is a rare animal indeed in the modern church. My prayer for Center Hill is wisdom and unity!  Won’t you pray for this ministry that we seek God’s glory, His honor, and Christ’s name to be lifted high.  There is no greater purpose.  We are to walk in a manner worthy of our calling and that calling is to the Gospel of Christ.  The Good News that God Saves Sinners!  Center Hill, let this be our motivation for all we do.       soli deo gloria  

Making much of God in marriage

Making much of God in marriage

I came across this video which is partially promoting a wonderful book, This Momentary Marriage, by John Piper but the true value of the video is found in the message of commitment to God’s glory in marriage.  I know very little about this couple but what I have been able to read about them speaks volumes of their making much of God in their relationship together.  Take time to watch it and then click the link to her blog.  You will find, as I did, the need to pray for Ian and Larissa.  Pray for their commitment to each other and mostly for their commitment to Christ.  Pray for your own marriages and your own commitment to making much of God in your life. I am convinced once again that, in general, we understand very little of suffering, of frailty of life and relationships, and lifting Him high as I watched this.  May this encourage each of us to consider this in all we do beginning with our marriages.         soli deo gloria