Better Words, Better Actions: PraiseLive's 30 Day DevotionalSample

Anger, bigotry, callousness, division… what will it take for humanity to effect a future of goodwill and harmony? More significantly, what will it take for the Church to express “oneness” through its great diversity?

Unity is powerful. Great deeds and tasks insurmountable to the individual are often possible through the unity of the masses. God said it of humanity as they labored on a project designed to reach God’s throne. The Psalmist reminded us that through unity, God commands a blessing. Jesus prayed and prophesied in John 17 that unity would cause the world to believe “...that they all may be one, as You Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”

Unity can be used for evil or for good. As a resurgence for a godless unity threatens to consume the globe, God is preparing a Church that will stand together and reveal His righteousness and justice. God has given us everything we need to fulfill our mission- an incredible plan, an anointed manual, his own Spirit to empower us, and a perfect example and loving King. All we need to do is follow united under His leadership.

Through race, theology, culture, and other preferences, Satan has baited the Church to focus on our differences, stirring up strife and division. And while that divide hinders the Church from revealing Jesus to the world, God has a simple plan of restoration. It’s called repentance and forgiveness.  

Reflection Question:

Determine if you have offended someone near you, a family member? Or perhaps you hold negative attitudes toward someone based on the color of their skin. Has someone treated you wrong? Are you holding offense against someone? Take a moment today to ask forgiveness and rebuild those relationships. Choose today to forgive so that Jesus can be seen in your life. 

Praise + Prayer:

Let’s take a moment to pray, yielding to the Spirit as he calls us to surrender our hearts fully to Jesus, to repent of clinging to the identity of our old man and embrace our new identity fully in Christ. As the Spirit leads, we ask forgiveness of our offenses against others, even as we forgive the transgressions against us. As we submit to the Spirit, we are united as one in God, and Jesus will be made known, and His glory revealed in the nations.