What Provokes You?
WHAT PROVOKES YOU?
🔶Daily Word ➖03.23.19.- Pastor Sheliah🔶
The Apostle Paul wrote: “My concern is that you are divided into different and distracting opinions… however … “The only advantage of any controversy is that the authentic becomes even more apparent in you!” [1Cor.11:18-19 – MB]
In a day when so many controversial words are being broadcast in the media, from so-called preachers (who promote ther political agenda) from the pulpit with no restraint and with much disregard of the prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane:
“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” (John.17:21-23)
He is not calling for uniformity (cookie-cutter Christians) but that His Love will break through and give us such a great love for others that we recognize that we are only a small part of His body and we need each other to be complete.
Augustine (354-430 AD) is generally attributed with this quote and it’s still relevant today:
“In essentials ➖ Unity!
In non-essentials ➖Liberty!
In all things ➖ Charity
As believers we must recognize that we cannot, in our own strength, maintain unity. However because we are filled with the same Spirit of Truth, He reveals the Heart of our Heavenly Father and gives us a love beyond our understanding or capabilities.
Thus, we learn to treasure those who challenge, provoke or question us. They are “stimulating us” ... as Hebrews 10:24 says ...”to love and good deeds.”
“Our focus is the nitty-gritty essence of the Gospel! I believe in oneness – not divisions!” as Paul recorded (1Cor.1:18)
Therefore, may you be strengthened in your inner man … by the power of Holy Spirit convincing you of Truth… “for the Word became a human being; we are His address; He captivates our gaze … only Grace can communicate Truth in such complete context!” (John.1:14-MB)
Perhaps you too have been “provoked” by controversy – let it work its work of grace & truth in you … and “stimulate you to love and good deeds.” ➖Shelia Hart Artt.
#OutrageousGrace #ProvokeToLove. #StimulateOneAnotherToLoveandGoodDeeds
@GloryBarnBranson
https://outrageousgrace.org/what-provokes-you/
