Be United

1 Corinthians 1:10

"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."

Currently, our nation is divided and torn apart by disagreement. There are so many things that everyone is "choosing sides" on right now that it is mentally and emotionally exhausting! If you turn on the news, the only thing they seem to highlight is all the chaos and hate happening. But that is NOT the whole picture. I KNOW it's not, and I refuse to believe that the whole country hates each other. There are so many of us that love each other, despite their views on politics, mask wearing, and whatever else you choose. Some people don't seem to realize that yes, it IS possible to disagree with someone but still be respectful and kind. 

I'm sure as God is looking down over his people, He is heartbroken by how torn apart we currently are. When the coronavirus first started hitting the United States and we were all closed up in our homes, it really seemed like the majority of our country was united and "in this together". Sadly that seemed very short lived. Soon, the new debate will be whether you choose to get a vaccine or not. 

The Lord wants us to be united, and to treat one another with love and respect. In 1 Corinthians 1:10 Apostle Paul writes that Jesus wants us all to agree with one another and have no divisions among us.  While the thought of that is wonderful, sadly, I highly doubt we will see a day like that anytime soon. One thing we should all be able to agree on is that we should all be treated equally in all matters, and no one held in any higher or lower regard because of the color of their skin. I tell my kids all the time, that God made his people in all shapes, sizes and colors, and that he loves each person equally. We are ALL brothers and sisters in Christ and we should be treating each other as such. 

I challenge you! Let's continue to shine our lights during these difficult and emotional times. Do something kind for someone! One kind gesture from you can lead to another kind gesture to another person. This world needs more Jesus and more kindness right now, so let's get it going!

Do something kind!

Pay for the persons order behind you in the the drive thru
Help and elderly person at the grocery store
Mail a card or a letter to someone
Call or text someone to let them know they're important to you
Have food delivered to a loved ones home
Leave positive reviews for items you have purchased online from small businesses
Let someone in front of you in the check out line at the grocery store
Leave prepackaged snacks by the door for delivery drivers
 Donate blood
Compliment or encourage a coworker
Add a positive comment into a conversation that may be turning negative
Cut your neighbors grass if they are elderly or not feeling well

There is an endless list of things you could do to brighten someones day and touch their spirit. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ! Let's start treating each other like we are!

xoxo,

Stephanie Gammon

IG: @faith.and.creativity

Fall in Love With Jesus

All in All 

Free Unity Printable
by Hillary Krippaehne
Available in the Creative Worship Facebook Group

I Prayed for You Today

Good morning, sweet friends, it's such a joy and pleasure to be here with you again!


Today is a short blog post, but one that I wanted to send as an encouragement.  Every week in the Creative Worship Prayer Warriors group, a good number of us rallies together to bless the name of the Lord.  Every person there is in turn blessed by the communal support and value of being a sister in the Lord - a sister under One Heavenly Father.

Tim Keller writes something truly amazing about this connection that we have - in Christ - as we lift our voices, crying out to God in this very unique and specialized form of communion:
"When we believe in Jesus, we are united to Him.  We are "in Him" as Paul says repeatedly.  This means that what is true of Jesus is true of us.  Because He has the perfect and secure access of an obedient child to the Father, so now do we."
And more, "When we pray in Jesus' name, therefore (don't you love how Tim Keller writes so eloquently???), we do so with supreme confidence and yet humble dependence on unmerited grace." (Prayer, p. 106)
He's saying that when we pray, there is intimacy with God the Father Himself because of our connection to Christ.  Ones who are written in the Book of Life, engraved on the palms of His hands, have unique and intimate fellowship with Him who created us - Him who spent precious blood for the souls of us all - our Heavenly Father.

We are not just saying words; we are speaking a different language.  This language that can only exist in the perfect connection between us and God.
Prayer is one of the most potent and powerful methods of communication; and we should never stop praying. 

Pray for each other.
Pray for your friends.
Pray for your mailman.
Pray for your neighbor.
Pray for your spouse.
Pray for your kids.
Pray for that one who hurt you.
Pray for that missionary.
Pray for their outreach.
Pray...

"Begin Again"

"In This Together"

Pray.
And don't stop.

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.  And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace," (Philippians 1:3-7)

Much love,
Deeds
IG: @mercies_journaled
Youtube: Mercies Journaled

The Sweetest Privilege

The privilege of praying for others is one of the sweetest gifts. When someone you know is struggling, carrying their needs to the Lord is a blessing. Not only is it a blessing for them, it blesses the person praying as well.

Paul, the apostle, with Timothy at his side is writing a letter to their brothers and sisters in Colosse. In the greeting of the book of Colossians, starting with verse 2, Paul asks for God to give them grace and peace. Then the next words from Paul’s hands are words of precious encouragement. He tells them “we always pray for you and we give thanks to God.” 

I had to stop right there. Do I ALWAYS pray for my brothers and sisters? Do I always give thanks to God for them?

He goes on to talk about the hope they have of heaven. He tells he has heard such good things about them and the love they have for others. He then says again “we have not stopped praying for you.” He goes on to say he asks God “for complete knowledge of his will and spiritual understanding.” 

Do I pray like that? Do I ask God to grow my brothers and sisters? 

In verse 11, Paul prays they will be “strengthened, and have all the endurance and patience they need.” Lastly he prays that they will be “filled with joy always thanking the Father.” 

Recently a sweet sister of mine was going through a tough spot. The Lord drew me to these verses. I had been praying for her for a couple of years...since right after I met her. 

Now I had the sweet privilege of praying for her to be strengthened, and have patience. I got to pray for her to have wisdom in some decisions she needed to make. Most of all I prayed that she would be filled with joy and that she would always be thanking the Father. 

Who has the Lord put on your heart today that you needs your prayers? It’s a sweet privilege. Don’t miss your opportunity! Remember the example of Paul.

“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father..”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:9, 11-12a‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Art behind the story:

For the background, I used distress inks and the smooshing tecnique. The flowers are the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps set of the month called Doodle Florals.  Like I often do, I stamped them on card stock, colored them with a water brush and distress ink, then fussy cut them. The word "remember" is from the set called Note This. 

If you're interested in this technique, be sure to join the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps VIP Facebook group.  I'll be doing a LIVE there at the end of March to show how to do this.  Would love for you to join us!

Until next time,

Gayle 

Patio Ponderings