Something that I’ve come to recognize and appreciate much more in recent months we who are children of God are connected together. I don’t mean only the connectivity of communication but the connectivity of family. Let’s take a quick look at four major factors that bind us together:
FAITH
The most fundamental factor is our shared faith in Jesus Christ. This goes far beyond mere belief. It is a shared acceptance of the fundamentals of our Christian faith. For me, these are expressed in the Apostle’s Creed. Despite denominational and cultural differences, if you are Christian your foundations of faith are not significantly different from mine. This faith is the glue that binds us together.
PRAYER
We are connected through the power of common or shared prayer. No matter where we are on this earth, He hears and responds to our prayers. Like the shield wall of the Roman square, our shared prayer both protects us and gives us strength. Over the past several months, Marty and I have been blanketed in prayer from every corner of the earth. Your prayers have strengthened and guided us. NEVER underestimate the power of prayer.
LOVE
As Christians we are to obey the Great Commandment. to love one another. While suspicion and hatred divides us, love binds us together. We cannot truly love without being connected.
COMMUNICATION (with the aid of technology)
Because of our shared faith and strengthened by prayer and love, we seek on another. From even the most remote corners of the earth we can come together to share. Today, because of communications technology, we are also able to reach our, to follow the Great Commission by spreading the Good News, sharing our testimonies of faith and love. As an example, our cadre of contributors here are spread all over the world. Together our contributions have reached people in over 200 nations over the past year, many of whom would never hear the Good News otherwise.
Not only are we united through these things giving us the strength in numbers, we can also connect on a more personal basis. If needed or just desired, I can reach out to individuals or small groups on every (inhabited) continent. It is truly amazing.
Connected and united we are a mighty force, led and commanded by our Savior in Chief. I am ever thankful for the universal church.
Shalom, Art
Alive in The Word
4hispraise
Amanda Beth
adopted80
aliveintheword
Bro Stef
debradoo
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faithfull4him
Ula
Lyn Leahz
Helen Murray
mtsweat
Ang blogger daw na si Iska
rickroehm
Rob Barkman
Steven Sawyer
Agreed, Art. What a blessing it is when travelling, to meet fellow believers and feel as if we’ve known them all our lives, simply because we are brothers and sisters in the Lord, sharing the bonds of love in the Christian family. There is instant love and fellowship.
From creation (and even before creation) God ordained that we live in families – our physical families, where we share a distinct closeness. He also gave us a spiritual family, as all His blood-bought, adopted children of all types and from all countries, become united in Christ. Then He gives us closer spiritual families, like our local Church family, or a group such as Gideons, or cell groups, or mission groups – and a group of contributors here at ChristianBlessings.
Indeed, we serve an incredibly amazing God who watches over His children, supplying our needs and working in us and through us to reach and bless others.
Praise God we are one in the bond of love.
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