Morning Meditation: "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over and through all and in all."- Ephesians 4:1-6

The Lord has written His covenant of love on our hearts as a letter for the entire world to read. And what it proclaims is the glorious message of God's amazing love for man, expressed in the death and resurrection of His Son, who brought us salvation, and unites us with Him for all eternity. Throughout the ages, every time this message has been received by faith, the letter rolled out like a sacred scroll to reveal a deeper, hidden mystery: the body of Christ was crucified on the cross, buried in the grave, and resurrected from the dead to form a new Body - the Church - which is made up of both Jews and Gentiles with Jesus Christ as the Sovereign Head. It is only to the degree that we, the Church, acknowledge the Lordship of Christ that we will keep the unity of the Body and proclaim "the manifold wisdom of God" to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 3:10-11). "Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through all things come and through whom we live" (1 Corinthians 8:6). Just knowing that the angels, including the evil ones, are observing the Church from the heavenly realm, should make us strive for greater unity; so they will give even greater praise to God for His wisdom in bringing salvation to man.  

As Christians, we belong to the living God, and have been given His Holy Spirit so we can proclaim Jesus Christ is Lord.   "...no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:3). When Jesus Christ is Lord of our life, He is the one in charge and has complete control. The Father entrusted Him with all authority (Matthew 28:18), and we should trust Him as well. When we submit to the lordship of Christ in the Church, the Holy Spirit will guide us greater unity. A united church, submitted to the lordship of Christ, and working to promote harmony - this is the letter we want the world to read - a beautiful proclamation that will astound the angels and glorify the Lord! Holy Spirit, help us to loosen the grip on the reigns of our life and give the Lord complete control to fulfill His purposes in us and in His Body as a whole. Thank You for being a trustworthy and faithful guide who is directing our lives for our good and for the glory of the Lord!

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,

continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him,

strengthened in the faith as you were taught,

and overflowing with thankfulness.

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow

and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition

and the basic principles of the world rather than on Christ.

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,

and you have been given fullness in Christ,

who is the head over every power and authority."

(Colossians 2:6-10)

Afternoon Devotion: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." - Colossians 3:12-15