Wednesday, June 8, 2016

There is Power in Unity.. By Nina Keegan

 A HOUSE DIVIDED CAN NOT STAND!
WE MUST NOT ALLOW STRIFE IN THE DOOR! 
Today I wanted to write about unity.. God has been showing me so much about how important it is to stay unified and to keep strife and division out of our homes, our lives.

There is a spirit of strife just like there is the spirit of peace and we must not let our guards down and invite in this destructive spirit. When we say hurtful things, when it is more important for us to be right no matter who gets hurt in the process, then we give strife an open door!
 We have invited evil into our home.
The Bible says give no place to the enemy..that means strife just can't walk in...it's got to be invited in.
MARK 3:25 says a home filled with strife and division destroys itself.

One disagreement can destroy a lifelong friendship.. that is strife doing what it does best. It baits you, "come on in,argue pick up offenses", it takes a mature person to overlook an offense...know when to say,"no I'm not going to take this bait I'm going to stay in peace."

When you're mature in the Lord you can have the ability to apologize even when you know you're right, be the bigger person and walk away from an argument... Ask God to help you.. take a pause and cool off.. do not let your guard down by inviting in anger,bitterness....stop saying hurtful things even when the flesh is hurting. When the flesh wins, the enemy wins.. One more trip around the mountain..

The Bible says one can send 1,000 to flight, Two 10,000.. This refers to demons.. By standing TOGETHER IN PRAYER, this means you're 10 times more powerful in succeeding, your 10 times more able to win the battle against an attack of the enemy. You can be so blessed when you stay unified..

The Bible says Blessed are the peacemakers, it doesn't say blessed are those who think they are right. 

Many times we think we can change people and that our arguments, our gripes and complaints are going to change them.  To the contrary, It only puts them on the defense and the mud slinging starts a viscous cycle of discord and division.
 Only God can change people it's easier to walk away, be the example and pray for God to do a work in them.

So stop trying to operate in the power of one, receive 10 times the blessing by staying  unified.

The Bible says when two or more gather that we shall have what we ask. Agree in prayer, THERE IS POWER IN NUMBERS. 

Ask God how you can change yourself because we can overcome evil with good.
 God rewards the one who takes the first step, the one who will extend the olive branch.
 Do not let pride in! 
Do not let pride and a haughtiness stop us from receiving blessings.
 Be a peacemaker!
 Matthew 5 says to "maintain peace."
It's much easier to maintain peace than it is to overcome  a huge argument. Go the extra mile.. The power of agreement will protect you from unnecessary trouble and discord.

Proverbs 20 says avoiding a fight is a mark of honor.
 
You may win the fight but you might've lost the war and what price will you pay for that? 
The Bible goes on to say that only a fool loves to argue... Let's start doing things God's way!
Let's let God fight our battles for us , remember a house divided will not stand!
 There is so much power in positivity, there's power in peace!

The Bible says where there is unity there is a commanded blessing on your life!

 Isn't  that amazing?
 By taking the high road and being the mature one, walking away from arguments  and doing your part to maintain a unified front, God commands blessings to come into your life.

So stay unified and stay in victory.. do not pick up offenses!
Forgiveness is a gift that you give yourself..and with that you will bless your whole household! Stay in peace ..God blesses the peacemakers hallelujah!

Philippians 2:1-3 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.

Colossians 3:14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

1 John 4:12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

Psalms 133:1  Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers

Ephesians 4:3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit

Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.