Day 10- 10/7/14 Life Together- Agreeing

10/7- Tuesday I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.(1 Corinthians 1:10).

Bonhoeffer: “Unison singing, as difficult as it is, is less of a musical than a spiritual matter.” 
Note: [Trinity Presbytery meets today at Lake Murray Presbyterian to talk about some controversial matters].

Thoughts: Agreement is symbolized by singing in fellowship. Singing in harmony means to compliment each other with the different perspective and talents we have.  Singing in unison means to agree to mold my talents for a common note- or goal.  The people of God need both harmony and unison singing.  We need both different perspectives and an ability to work together- submitting my way to a common way. 
    In this passage we are reminded that faith and intellect work together to form agreement.  We are called to be united in mind and thought.  Mind and thought could cause pride and division- when we think we are right and cannot listen.  But mind and thought combined with faith hope and love can be bent to think in harmony and unison with each other.  When the church is united it is a beautiful thing.  When people become critical and destructive inside the church, the church languishes and is paralyzed.  Let us learn to bend our minds, voices, and actions toward each other to compliment and unite for the glory of God!

Prayer: Lord, unite us!  Lord, we want to agree, help us to do that.  

7/18/13- The Practice of Being One

All the believers were united and shared everything...Every day they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. (Acts 2:44,46)

Thoughts: The Church does many things to practice its unity.  Gathering for worship, unified reading, sharing in giving, singing, prayer, passing of the peace.  This is the practical side of unity unspoken at a Christian worship service.
      Simply gathering together is an act of purposeful and important unity.  This is a unity that is missing in cyber church.  While there may be some excitement in seeing a large number of hits at once to a site, it is not the same as rubbing elbows, looking someone in the eye.  Cyber gathering is safer.  There is no danger of catching the flu, or hearing a baby cry, or smelling someone with bad breath.  But, there are some things well worth the gathering.  Where two or three are gathered together in my name- there am I in the midst of them- Jesus said.
     Unified reading is a uniting the voice of the church around one common reading of God's Holy Word.  It is not just united voices, but it is also listening to a common voice.  The Holy Spirit speaks when the people of the Spirit join together.
     The people of God give to the Lord together as a part of their worship of the One who provides all things.  Part of worship is giving to those in need- and that begins first with the people of God in that house.  Unity occurs when we lend each other a hand.
     Singing is not restricted to the people of God, but rarely do the people of God who worship Christ not sing at all.  Harmony is a melding of voices around a common theme.
     Prayer is the lifting up our hearts to God together.  It is not just talking to God, but lifting up hearts.  Again in Matthew 18 Jesus indicates that praying together is much more important than praying individually.  We are called to agree in prayer (Mt. 18:19) and then God will listen to our prayer.  We find God's will when we agree together.  The unity of believers is ever-so close to the will of God.  While we may pray over the phone, or say we will pray via email or text, it is not the same as praying together, united in will to God's will.
     Greeting one another is another thing underestimated today.   As part of the fellowship of the Church, the apostle Paul said, "Greet one another with a holy kiss" (Romans 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26).  Greeting, touching, is an important part of the fellowship (koinonia) of the church.  Such a touching implies togetherness.
    Throughout worship there is a togetherness.  It is a lifting up our little lights (as in a candle light service) to the One light of the world.

Prayer: May my light shine for you, O Lord.  May my light join other lights to make one brighter light that glorifies you together.