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The moment we were born again, we were no longer disconnected puzzle pieces… We became part of a “whole.” We are now grafted into God and connected to other believers. This is said in different ways throughout the New Testament such as:
We are all branches fed by the same vine (John 15:5).
We are adopted (Ephesians 1:5).
We are now part of the body of Christ and each a part of it (1 Corinthians 12:27).
We are living stones being assembled into a sanctuary for God (1 Peter 2:5).
In the final prayer of Jesus in John 17, He asks that WE would all be ONE as He and His Father are one. WOW! Jesus is in us, and we are in Jesus – we are ONE… with Him and each other. This is so weighty on many levels, but I’d like to focus on the importance of recognizing that YOU are part of the “whole.” You are no longer living unto yourself – you are not an island. Your actions and your words extend beyond you as an individual… Your words and actions carry weight in the spirit and impact the whole BODY. (Heavy, right?)
So, the words we say about someone else, we are saying about Jesus and ourselves! When I encourage someone else, I’m lifting Jesus, and I encourage myself! When I speak life to you, I am blessing Jesus, and I’m speaking life over myself.
When I bless you, I’m blessed. When I “curse” you (words that tear down), I am cursed. We are ONE Body! The things we say and do – even those things that aren’t seen – affect the rest of the Body in positive and negative ways, depending on the actions or words. We cannot truly love ourselves until we love each other!
In the natural, we see the devastating effects of a body that begins to attack itself, called an auto- immune disease. We are also seeing this translate all around us in the spirit. We are under attack. If it was just from an outside “virus” a healthy body could easily fight it off. But our attack is coming from within… And often from our own mouths (Yikes!). It’s easy to see and hear the words and actions all around us that are tearing away at the “whole.” It is rampant… The Body is in crisis. We are hurting ourselves. What we say and do affects us ALL. We, who are one Body, must go into treatment!
The answer is LOVE.
We must CHOOSE love every moment! Let us set a guard of love over our heart and mouth. Let our words and actions begin to release an inoculation into the Body. Begin to pray that the words being spoken against one another will not propagate. Let us repent of any words or actions that have torn down others instead of words and actions that have lifted up and blessed.
This includes those whom we feel are against us. When we bless them, we release the Spirit of God over them to do what He always knows is best. Our war is not with each other! Let’s direct our warfare against the spirits of darkness, not flesh and blood. Let’s intentionally live for the “whole”ness of the Body. Let our mouths release decrees of the Word. Let our words be full of hope, life, encouragement, peace, honor, compassion… KINGDOM!
Our minds and our hearts must be focused on Jesus. As we focus on Him – His love, His mercy, His tenderness, His grace, His forgiveness and compassion. HIS LOVE (Yep, I said it twice). Jesus tells us in Luke 6:45 that what we say flows from our heart. So, when we hear what is coming out of our mouths, it’s a great barometer of what is in our heart. And it’s a wonderful opportunity to open that up to Holy Spirit in repentance, and allow there to be a focus shift. A humble heart is a healthy heart.
WE are ONE with Christ. His death is our death; His life is our life. Let’s continue to reach for that high standard of Love! Let’s really go for it and represent Love in our speech, actions, and thoughts, and hearts toward one another. Let us allow Holy Spirit to continue to bring us higher. With intention, we can open a portal of unity, honor, and love that will spread to the WHOLE Body… and the world will know us as ONE with Him by our love.
Prayer:Jesus, I repent for the words I have spoken that have not carried your heart. Let those words fall to the ground and not bear fruit. Holy Spirit, search my heart and continue to reveal Yourself to me. Let Your oil flow into any hard place in my heart. Awaken me with your love! Let YOUR heart that you have for me and for others become MY heart, too.
I will live humbly before You with eyes FIXED on YOU. Clear away anything that clouds Your amazing love from being revealed to others through me. Holy Spirit, help me to set a guard over my heart and my mouth. I will choose words of life, truth, healing, wisdom, reconciliation, and love.
Michelle Burkett
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Sept 24 7 PM CDT
Special Guest Our Good Friend Jan Jansen
Description
Special Guest Jan jansen The Rise and Fall of a Propheti This book is a cautionary read that delves into the pressures of a high profile minister being driven to the point of exhaustion, and his refusal to be held accountable. It touches on important matters of abuse, addiction, and mental health. It is the honest reveal of a man who, while being highly regarded by many as a prophet of God, a general of the faith, and a conduit to bring the manifestation of God's glory to Earth, was also equally regarded by others as being a false prophet and a charlatan.