Vulnerable to the Fruits of the Flesh

      This weekend was a good reminder to me of how much work I still have to do. How much further I have to go in my relationship with the Lord. Like most Americans, it was a busy weekend for me, lots of things to do, lots of chores to catch up on and stuff to occupy my hands and mind. Then this morning as I was praying I became heartbroken when I realized that I hadn't given God the proper attention over the weekend. That in all the flurry of activity I had let things fall to the wayside not keeping up in my devotional or spending as much time in prayer as I usually do. I didn't stay in conversation with Him throughout the day as I usually would, and worst of all I didn't notice that I had done this until I finally stopped to take my quiet time the morning.
       As I began to pray this morning I felt a distance, like something was between us. I continued to pray though not yet knowing or realizing where I had gone astray. As usual, as I stayed in prayer it became clear to me where I had fallen off course and what had happened, as well as what I needed to do to make it right again. As I thanked the Father for the weekend and the many good things that came from it and apologized for my less than ideal behavior at times, I saw how little I had actually included God in any of it and I was saddened by that. I had let a busy weekend distract me from what was, and is really important. Because of this transgression, because of this lack of attention I had given to Him I was more vulnerable to the flesh rising up which it inevitably did.
       I know I am not alone in this, we are all guilty at times of letting things or other relationships come between us and God. We are humans, we aren't perfect and we are easily distracted. This is why it is important to make God an all the time priority, and not just a sometimes priority. The scriptures tell us to pray without ceasing; to seek the wisdom and counsel of the Lord; to seek His face and His will for our lives. These instructions aren't meant to be hindrances, and in fact they are not at all, they are life support. These actions keep you in a close relationship with the Lord which is important if we are to overcome this world and enter into His glory.
       Alone we are unable to stay on the path of righteousness, alone we will stray every time. My weekend was a good example of that. Without the proper prayer support, I was moody and selfish. Without first focusing myself on the Lord and His ways, my thoughts and actions spoke of the fruits of the flesh. I was easily annoyed by everyone, and honestly couldn't think of anything past what I really wanted to do. I know that more than once I was short with people, and I was honestly pretty prideful, I caught myself often judging people in my mind and heart and I was upset by that, that's not how I typically behave anymore. But as pride often does, I was at first blinded to that fact until I sat alone with the Lord and gave Him my full attention. I walked in the flesh this weekend and it reminded me why I had turned away from that, there is little joy in it, and nothing that is soul rewarding. Only in Jesus can we have the abundant life promised, only when we abide in Him can we walk in the spirit. Be blessed and stay close to the Lord my brothers and sisters.

1 Chronicles 16:11   

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
        
Psalm 1:1-2

1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take

or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night

 

Psalm 119:10    
With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!
Galatians 5:13-21

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever  you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

Lay Down The Burden

       Not long ago I spoke to someone who is struggling, they want what they once had with God, but they are afraid they have strayed too far. I tried to reassure them, to remind them of God's grace, His forgiveness towards His children, and I wish now that I had also remembered to share the story of the one lost sheep (Matthew 18:12-14 & Luke 15:3-7) or the prodigal son(Luke 15:11-32). Both are great stories, great examples of what I was trying to help this person see, that God loves us beyond measure, He loves us unconditionally, regardless of where we have failed and where we have gone wrong. Both tell the story of how important we are to God, and to make that point even more abundantly clear to us God allowed His son to be beaten, humiliated, nailed to a cross and die so that in the resurrection of Christ you could have freedom from the law and death, so you could have access to the Kingdom of God for eternity.
       I want you to think about that please, look into your heart and realize this was victory! The cross is a story of great power! Because of Yeshua, because He died and rose again you are free if you only are willing to follow Him, to make Him first. God does not care about your past if you are willing to make Him your future. Because of the cross and what Christ did we can be made new and clean if we will accept the Son, and seek Him in all we do. Please realize that when we come to the cross in humbleness, admitting our sin and leaving it there, we are freed from our defeated enemy and able to overcome our sins, and past mistakes. Only through the power of the cross, the death and resurrection of Christ can you be forgiven! It was His blood shed for you that gives you the power to change, it was His sacrifice and the acceptance of it that has allowed the Holy Spirit to dwell within, guiding and correcting us that we might stay on the path of righteousness. It is because of Jesus and God's unending love for us that you have this opportunity. Don't hold onto what is keeping you apart.
       I know that sounds easier said than done, to let go of your regrets, fears and past mistakes. I know that if you're struggling you probably read that and said to yourself  'it's impossible, there's no way you can just let go of years of pain like that, in just a moment'. But I'm telling you, it can happen, it happened for me. I broke before the cross, surrendering myself to Yeshua and finally accepted the love He died to give me. Instantly I felt peace, I was overwhelmed by His presence and comfort, suddenly I knew I was loved and forgiven. I knew that I had always been, I just hadn't accepted it yet. Instantly I knew life was never going to be the same. And from that point it has only gotten better. There's been plenty of struggle, plenty of hard times, but Jesus has been with me every step of the way, filling me with hope to endure and grace to overcome.
       Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" Please, if you are struggling like my friend let these words from the Messiah settle on your heart, let His sacrifice move you to your soul, then give it to Him. Be blessed in the name of Yeshua.


Psalm 145:14   
The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.

Psalm 55:22   
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved

Acts 2:38   
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 10:13   
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Peter 5:6-7   
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.                         

It's Because of Him

       Every now and again I feel it is important to remind the people who read these post that I am no one special. There is nothing really incredible or amazing about me, except Jesus in my heart. I want to remind people that while I appreciate the praise, it's all truly about God and to His glory. The only thing I have set out to do is share what I am experiencing and learning in the Holy Spirit and encourage others in their walk. I do not claim any special title or gifting, I am just an ordinary woman that wants to share the testimony of Yeshua, because it changed my life and I want others to know how to break free from the world too! I want to share what God has done and give hope to the broken, because I know God is able.
       As I learn to rely on Him and His Word more I am learning to be free from my anxieties, from my burdens and shame, and that the Holy Bible is really a truth that will transform you from the inside. It didn't happen overnight, or even in a year, but as I sought Him more, the more I changed for the better. The more I applied the scripture to my life; tried to glean the lessons from difficult situations, and sought His guidance thru them, the easier burdens have become to endure. The more time spent in prayer and fasting, the easier it has become to resist certain temptations, and it's all because God is working. Every bit of this is a reflection on the greatness of the Father, His mercy and love, because it is not something I could do on my own.
       On my own I could never get it right no matter how hard I tried. On my own I was easily led into destructive habits to try and fill the emptiness in my heart. On my own I doubted God and His Word, I scoffed at its words from my spot in the pew because I hadn't experienced its truth yet. On my own I thought I could do enough works and go to enough church that I could buy my way into heaven by my works, but with Jesus in my heart all of these lies have been defeated.
       It is impossible for man to be righteous on his own, we will fail every time, our flesh is weak and we end up giving into our lesser desires, every story in the Bible and really the world confirms this if you just look and pay attention(Romans 3:23). We are destructive and evil in our hearts without the Lord's correction. Our flesh will led us into pride, greed, wrath, lust, gluttony, slothfulness, and selfishness if left unchecked (Galatians 5:19-21). We need the Holy Spirit in order to combat this, the Holy Spirit through loving correction and conviction changes us to turn away from these things. By God we are strengthened to endure and succeed, we are able to walk away from our sins and into His presence.  But none of this could be possible with out Yeshua and what He did on the cross for us.
       Jesus is what makes the difference, He is the light of this world(John 1:4) and shines from within the hearts of all those who have surrendered to His healing sacrifice. It is only because of Him that I am here writing, it is only Him I that seek favor from. Without Jesus there would be no reason for me to do what I am, without Him I would still be stuck and miserable. But because of Him and what He has done I am like the Samaritan woman by the well calling to the others with my testimony to come to Him(John 4:3-42).

Isaiah 53:11   
Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities

Galatians 2:20    
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
                     
 Revelation 12:11   
And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death                   

No Need for Revenge or Wrath

       The Lord looks at our heart, so the Word tells us in 1 Samuel 16:7, and I'm wondering this morning how different we would be if we did too. People will deceive us, trick us into seeing or believing what they want us to believe about them, we have all experienced someone like this at one point of time or another. Typically I am a pretty good judge of character and motive, I can usually see if someone is trying to use or manipulate me, but this isn't always true, without being able to see into someone's heart I have been duped before and probably will be again. That deception of character, and how to react to it, is something I am thinking about a lot right now as the character of a man I once respected becomes more clear and unflattering all the time.
       I don't want to go into details about that today though, perhaps in time I will, but right now I mostly want to talk about the fact that God knows our hearts and the hearts of those who surround us. I think it is important to realize that because, He always knows the true motives of our actions. He knows when we are walking in pride and when we are walking in love. He knows when we are selfish and when we are moved by compassion. This is important to realize because we will reap what we have sown, (Galatians 6:7-8; Job 4:8; Luke 6:38; Jeremiah 17:10 & more) and so does everyone else. I like to try to remind myself of that fact often to keep myself accountable and aware of my actions, especially when I am upset with someone or disappointed by their actions, because in that truth I am free to let the feelings go and trust them to the Lord.
       This is what I am working on now with this person, I honestly want to get in their face, yell, scream, and confront them with their deceit, manipulation, and pride but acting in anger only brings about more anger. I realize that there is nothing I gain by harboring those feelings; there is no reason or need for me to seek revenge(Romans 12:19; Deuteronomy 32:35); God will repay each of us for our actions. So, if someone does me wrong I can trust the Lord to handle it, this frees me up to focus on just loving people, and loving God(Leviticus 19:18).
       Even though I am disappointed by this previously mentioned person and their actions, I have no reason to hold on to those feelings or hold a grudge against them, the only person I would really be hurting then is myself. Holding onto to negative feelings and desires can only lead into darkness and falling off the path of righteousness, just like what happened with Saul when he held on to his jealousy over David, or when David killed Uriah to hide his adultery. They each gave in to the flesh and let these lesser desires led them off the path of righteousness; and they each were forced to deal with the consequences of that choice, Saul losing his own life, and David losing the child that was born from the adultery. I don't know about you, but personally if I am going to be paid back for actions, I rather it be in blessings than in punishment or correction, so I'm willing to let go and trust God to deal with this person.
       I hope if you have been struggling with someone who has hurt you, deceived you, or used you that you are willing to just let go and trust God. He sees our hurt, He sees our pain, and He knows our hearts. If we let go and just focus on Him, God will deal with the rest in due time, all we have to do is trust. Be blessed and take the straight path my brothers and sisters, know that it is the Lord who justifies.

Proverbs 22:8    
Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail

Jeremiah 17:10   
“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

Luke 6:37-38
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again

                 
Galatians 6:7-8
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.      

Go To God First

       In the past three years as a wife I have learned a lot, and I realize there is still more to learn, but there is something that I have learned that has helped more than anything to keep the relationship between my husband and I good. Today I would like to share that with you, because it can be applied to all relationships, not just man and wife. It's something that took a while to get the hang of, because it's different from what the world teaches us to do, it took practice, patience, and a lot of reminding myself that it's in God's hands, this takes trust and time, but it is proven and true.
       First, let me share with you a little about my husband. Nick is the type of man that doesn't like to be told what to do, he can be asked to do things, and you can discuss ideas with him, but to tell him 'this is what we are doing and this is how it will be done,' is a sure fire way of getting him to not want any part of it. This took time to learn how to handle, I sought out advice from wordly books or magazines on this and other women, mostly older women but some of my peers who were married too. Everything they suggested though added up to manipulation, nagging, or being demanding. They told me how to put things into his head and convince him it was his idea so he'd do what I wanted, and it worked, but I felt guilty, it felt like lying. The nagging didn't work either, things got done, but it caused tension between us, and he was more often cross. Being assertive and demanding didn't work either, it trampled his sense of family position and left him discouraged and resentful. Their advice got me things in the short term, but it damaged the relationship we had, because of it I started to feel low and less loved by him, and he felt disrespected by me and frustrated by my nagging.    
       Another thing about my husband is, that for a long time after we were married he struggled with faith, depression and anxiety, he is still suffering from these struggles but is on the road to recovery. This coupled with my own struggles against depression and anxiety put further strain on our marriage. I was getting better and he was getting worse, so I tried to tell Nick how to get better, what he should be doing to help, and what he was doing wrong. This further aggravated things, he shut down and pulled away the more I nagged him. I started to take the lead in our relationship, assuming the role of head of house, because I was frustrated by his anxieties and how they affected his ability to make decisions, this pushed him further away, hurting us both more and creating even more tension and distance. I became very lonely in what was once the most fulfilling relationship in my life. We were best friends, we did everything together and always got along great! Now though, we mostly sat in tense silence to avoid snapping at the other or being snapped at. I knew in my heart something had to change, this was not what either of us had ever wanted, we were best friends not enemies, and somehow we had to get back to that if this marriage was going to work for both of us.
       So I finally did what I should have done from the start. I stopped running to the phone with the problems in my marriage, I stopped seeking out advice from secular therapist and magazines, and I started asking my Father to heal what was broken. This is my grand secret to what changed things for us. I started praying for my marriage, praying for my husband, praying for myself, and started applying respect. When he frustrated me, I'd pray about it, and sometimes as I prayed I realized that I was getting upset over something trivial that would be better to just cover with grace and move on from. Other times I vented to God and I prayed for changes in Nick to occur; then God would show me how I needed to change too. This is what worked, this was what changed things for us. I started focusing on the good in him and let God deal with what is less than perfect in us both. I started to trust that everything was going to be fine between us, because we have the Lord in our hearts and He has us in the palm of His hand.
       I wrote this today hoping to share my experience and the knowledge that the Lord provided through this experience because it is so easy to get lost and lose what is really important to us when we are looking at the world. When we aren't taking our issues to God first its easy to wind up seeking things out of our selfish desires, to act on hurt with hurt rather than forgiveness, or not stop to think about the long term effects of our actions. It's easy to let the gossip in and taint what you have, but if you instead go to God first, and let Him lead you things just seem to fall into place. When you learn to lean on God, and to love like He loves your relationships will succeed, because God is not only our example of unconditional love, but is love Himself. Be blessed.  

Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

1 Corinthians 13:4-13

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.        

New Name

      More than ten years ago now, I was told by a secular therapist that I was seeing for depression that the cause of my deep pain and sadness was that I cared too deeply for others and that I needed to guard my heart more, I needed to put up walls to protect my fragile feelings. And I did as she said, in fact I did it so well that I went from being caring and fragile to earning myself the nickname "Ice Queen." I was brutal and heartless, especially towards my younger brother and my tormentors at school, but the lack of compassion didn't stop with them. I was mouthy and rude, I had no problem telling people 'where to go' as the expression is, and I really didn't care if I hurt the person I spoke to. The therapist's advice didn't help or heal, it didn't get me out of depression, instead it led me down an even darker path, one where rage, cruelty, and unforgivenness ruled my heart and actions.
       God did not leave me in that darkness alone though, He gave me a ray of light in my baby sister. Having to take care for her drew out my tenderness and kept me from totally giving into the pain that had quickly become wrath.  I loved my sister with all I had in me, to me she was the answer to prayer and I was grateful for her presence in my life. Then there was also my best friend at this time, a girl who insisted on dragging me to church and youth group as much as she could get me to go. These two people kept the love and light alive in me, nurturing the tiny flame that the world had nearly extinguished. But otherwise I wore my nickname like a badge of honor, using it to keep everyone else at a distance, the 'Ice Queen' became who I was. Until sometime later when God brought someone else in to my life who would help me to heal and to learn to love again, someone who would help me to see and appreciate what God was doing in my life; later I would marry that man and take his name, but this isn't the new name I want to talk about today, the new name the Lord gave me is not only 'Thorn' but in Jesus I am 'Redeemed.'
       This is nothing new with the Lord, He has given many new names when people become His, He promises us a new identity when we abide in Him and walk in His ways (Ephesians 4:21-24). He did it for Abram and Sarai, changing their names to reflect the promise over them, thru the Lord they became Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 17:5) the 'father of multitudes' and the 'mother of nations.' Thru the Lord, Jacob whose birth name means 'supplanter' became Israel 'having power with God'(Genesis 32:28), and Jesus changed the name of Simon 'God has heard' to Peter, 'the rock' (John 1:42). All of these changes were made to reflect the new person, the new life and future they had because of God working in and thru them, and this is available to you too!  
       I want you to know today that you don't have to carry around those old names anymore, you don't have to go around life as the 'loser', the 'drunk', the 'thief', the 'bum', the 'worthless' or the 'forsaken' none of those are the name by which the Lord calls you. When you come to Him with openness He will give you a new heart, a new spirit (Ezekiel 36:26), and He changes what you are called; in Yeshua you are 'redeemed', 'blessed', 'forgiven' and 'cherished.'  With Jesus in you, you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Be blessed in Jesus name.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Ephesians 4:21-24
21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
             

Together We Serve

       Something that I have come to really appreciate recently is the counsel of Godly brothers and sisters. In this last year God has done much to show me that it is not only a good thing to have friends who are in the body but necessary for growth. We need others in our lives to help us keep focused when the storms of life try to set us off course, we need others to help us accept God's truth even when it breaks our hearts, we need others to confirm that what we believe is a message from God really is, because it is so easy to deceive ourselves with the things we want. We need others to share their knowledge and gifting with us to help serve the Lord's purpose and grow in our relationship to Him and the body. I have learned this past year that each of God's children's is a precious gift in our lives and not to be taken for granted.
        Before I let others into my life it was often hard to determine if I was following God's will or my own. Without others to discuss the choices, and the signs I was receiving it was much easier to convince myself that what I wanted was God's will for my life. Without others I lacked knowledge and understanding of some Biblical principle, and would repeatedly get stuck in the same cycles and mistakes because of not knowing or not seeing that I stepped outside His will for my life. Without others I had no prayer support, no one to pray for me or with me, no one to come in to agreement on my prayers, leaving them and me less effective and often discouraged.
       But this changed as I started to let others in and built connections within the body. I found that as I poured my gifting and talents out to them, they poured back into me. As we prayed and worked together for our Lord, my knowledge and understanding increased, as well as my faith, my gifts, my confidence and my love for God and others. As the connections continue to grow deeper I am seeing more and more the presence of God manifested in my life and the lives of those who serve Him. Thru all of this I learned the hard way that to be part of the body of Christ, is to need Him and the others who abide in Him, because we are one body of diverse gifting and functions (1 Corinthians 12: 4&12).
       I am reminded as I finish writing this of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 which reads '9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.'  When I read this passage it seems to say to me that we are stronger against opposition when we have the support of others, and I can truly say that has been the case in my life, that has been what God has shown me. Be blessed in the name of Yeshua my dear brothers and sisters.

John 15:1-8

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Romans 12:3-8
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

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.

Ephesians 4:16
From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

      

1 John 1:5-9

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.