Devotionals for the Heart: Harmony

How To Live In Harmony
A devotional by Sharon Musgrove

“I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”—1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT

The Apostle Paul wrote the above words to a church that is mirrored in our western churches today. Paul was instrumental in the formation of the Corinthian congregation, spending over a year bringing together people who were used to living self-serving, indulgent, and sinful lives. In his absence, they reverted into disunity. Like them, today’s church needs Paul’s preaching on living in harmony, as we too unravel in disagreement.

Paul begins by telling the Corinthian church how grateful he is for them and how in Jesus Christ they’ve been gifted “eloquent words” and all knowledge (1 Corinthians 1:5 NLT). But then he points out that they are using their gifts against one another by quarreling (verse11) and arguing over who is following the better leader (verse 12). Somewhere along the line the members regressed from a “we mentality” to a “me mentality.”

Does the world know we are Christians by our love for one another? Or are we better known for being argumentative? Are we using scripture and our spiritual gifts against one another in a “me first” mindset? Have we stunted the growth of the church by our divisions? Christ implores us to live in harmony.

What does it mean to live “of one mind, united in thought and purpose”? Paul’s letter to the Corinthians informs us today in this “one mind” way. Chapter by chapter the Apostle lays out truths that are applicable now.

Let’s read some of those truths found in God’s Word (The Holy Bible):

• Jesus is the foundation of our collective, everything we bring to the church must be supported and aligned with Him (1 Corinthians 3).
• There’s no human hierarchy. Leaders are no better than followers. We’re all following Christ’s lead (1 Corinthians 4).
• Behaviors that do not build up others, but promote self over others, destroy the community. Normalizing these behaviors creates a cancer with the Body (1 Corinthians 5).
• The physical body is sacred and is to be treated with respect and mutuality in relationships. (1 Corinthians 6-7).
• We are each in various stages of maturity and need to be both mindful and respectful of the maturation process of others, giving them the same freedom to grow as God gives us (1 Corinthians 8-9).
• When we want more than what God deems good for us, we create idols that destroy. Everything we do is to seek not our own advantage, but God’s glory (1 Corinthians 9-10).
• Neither men nor women are made independent of one another (1 Corinthians 11).
• God has imparted spiritual gifts on His followers, unique to the individual, but for the purpose of common good (1 Corinthians 12).
• Love is the core of everything, revealing itself in patience and kindness, lacking in envy, pride, arrogance, or rudeness. Love does not demand its own way, nor is it irritable or resentful. It is not happy with injustice, but thrills with truth. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13).
• Pursue with eagerness putting your spiritual gifts to use for the edification of the community, to increase it. And in doing so, be considerate of others in an orderly and appropriate way (1 Corinthians 14).

When Paul heard of the discord within the church, he quickly addressed them with the loving heart of a Godly overseer. He told them how valuable they were, how much they meant to him, and then redirected them with instructions in these basics of harmonious living. We need to follow suit with one another, because without unity we fail to live out Christ’s calling.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, we submit to You. We ask your forgiveness for our self-serving, indulgent, and sinful lives. Create in us a desire to live in Christian unity and to prioritize others as Christ modeled. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “If We Are The Body” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Sharon Musgrove is a self-proclaimed sociologist. The opportunities opened to her, over the years, have led her on a fascinating journey observing human behavior.

She has a diverse background in business, fitness, and health industries. This background led her to a unique position writing curriculum and teaching for two private, Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both programs primarily served women in the homeless community.

Sharon has traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the rural Maasai communities. She’s been privileged to participate in Leadership camps for maturing young women. These annual camps have a mission of encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often abused young Maasai girls.

Identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she’s served, Sharon sees all people as needing more encouragement regardless of cultural or socioeconomic status. Within these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its transformative power has become her passion.

In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys her garden, health food, travel, and a good story. She and her husband, Jeff, divide their time between Oregon and Hawaii. They have two grown children.

Currently, Sharon is encouraging others via her inspirational blog, but prefers sharing face to face. Additionally, she is studying Christian fiction writing.

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Connect with Sharon:
Website: Sharonmusgrove.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sharon-Musgrove-Untethered-102208978041060

Devotionals for the Heart: Your Gifts

Your Gifts Have A Unique Purpose 
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us . . .” 

– Romans 12:4-6 (NIV)

Can a hand function as a foot, or a foot as a hand?

Not effectively because each is uniquely designed for a reason. Though similar in the digits of fingers and toes, the vast differences between the two are in their design, structure, and purpose. The hand provides strength, power, and protection to the body. The foot provides support, balance, and mobility of the body.

In this same way, God created each of His children with a special purpose. To each one He establishes a unique destiny with gifts to match. Why then do we desire to change ourselves or our circumstances, ignoring our unique gifts? A choir member wishes to be the lead vocalist on the praise team. An usher wishes to be the deacon. The Sunday school teacher wishes to be the credentialed pastor. A youth pastor wishes to be the senior pastor. A band leader wishes to be the musical director, and so on.

These wishes are all a part of the proverbial “grass is always greener on the other side” mentality. Wishing to be other than you have been called or designed to be by God is the same as wanting to trade in your hand for your foot. If the position is not what He designed you for, then you won’t function properly within the body of Christ.

When we covet someone else’s gifting in the body, we are taking our eyes off the mark, which is in Jesus Christ. This type of sin will hinder us and our purpose. Hebrews 12:1-2 says that we are called to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (NIV, emphasis added). Don’t miss the enduring hope in that instruction! Jesus pioneered the way for us to fulfill our calling both faithfully and effectively. Rather than looking to someone else’s gift to fulfill your purpose, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, who knows your unique giftings and will champion them to completion within you.

In this festive holiday season, there are so many of our unique gifts that we can humbly offer to God for His purpose. More than anything else, let us be willing to be the extensions of His hands and His feet by offering to others His unending mercy and everlasting love.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, thank You for the unique gifts within me that You designed for your purpose. Help me to use my gifts as You intended them as I keep my eyes fixed on your Son, Jesus Christ, who died so that I can live in hope and victory. Show me how to be a part of the Body of Christ with a cheerful heart—whether hand or foot, arm, or leg. Thy will be done. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Reflection Question: What has God shown you is your unique gift in the Body of Christ? Tell us about it in the comments section!

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Author Bio:

Mirachelle Canada is a writer, playwright, screenwriter, and theatre director/producer from Northern Virginia, where she teaches television production at her high school alma mater. 

She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Script & Screenwriting from Regent University and is an alumnus of Act One: Hollywood Film & Television Writing Program.

Mirachelle is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, American Fiction Writers Virginia Chapter, The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and Your Novel Blueprint.

She is currently working on her first historical fiction novel set during WWII.

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Connect with Mirachelle:
Website: www.mirachellecanada.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirachellecanada/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miracan