Word Study For Today: The Gospel According to Luke Chapter 19.
Devotion: UNITED WE’RE BLESSED!
Text: Genesis 11:1-9. | Mark 3:23-26. | Psalm 133:1-3.
Jesus said >“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.”[Mark 3:24 NIV]. Division crumbles. To be divided connotes to be disunited and that in itself means to sever union, to separate; it means dis-join or to set at variance; it means to alienate.
When a kingdom, a house, an organization, a people, are divided(being at variance, separated, disunited), they lack the synergy of voice and force to accomplish any course. Scripture says it’s not about numbers but it’s more about the synergy, the oneness, the force of unity >“Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you.”[Lev. 26:8 NIV]. When men come together they do more than what each one will do on their own.
Being of one mind, one language, one heart, one focus, one goal, one vision, one purpose, will cause the scope of accomplishment to be wider. We all can do more; we can achieve the most insurmountable task if we can all be of one mind (being in one accord).
The apostles, alongside the women (Mary the mother of our Lord Jesus inclusive) and Jesus’ brothers ensured they all were of one mind after Jesus’ departure. >Acts 1:14 (NASB)==>“These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”
It is in this oneness that the day of Pentecost came and they all in oneness(unity of purpose) received the baptism of the Spirit with the clear evidence of speaking in tongues. >Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV)==> 1)“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2)And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3)Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4)And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
They maintained this unity, allowing no division, no separation, and they grew in number, having additions in thousands to the number of those who believed in the Savior Jesus Christ. By unity they built the kingdom >Acts 2:46-47 NASB)==>“46)Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47)praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
The place of unity(oneness, one accord, same page), is a pleasant place to be. In the place of oneness, the Lord Almighty has commanded
(instructed, compelled) blessings. >Psalms 133:1, 3 (NKJV)==> 1)“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 3)It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.”
Blessing is commanded in unity… little wonder Jesus said, where there is division the house can’t stand [obviously division will bring about a curse if there be words and opposites].
We must align as members of one body[the church, family, co-workers of same organisation,etc]; there and there only, can we achieve great feat as against being defeated. The place of fusion of hearts, seeing through the same keyhole makes us to see and hence pursue the same thing and this strengthens us in achieving big results no matter how impossible they may seem at first.
In Genesis 11, the bible says in vs 1, > “Now the whole earth had one language and one speech.”
ONE LANGUAGE, ONE SPEECH, >>> UNITY!
God looked at these people and said > “And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.”[Genesis 11:6 NKJV].
Wow! You can’t be stopped or stalled where you have the power of unity. Husband unite with your wife, parents unite with your children, members of the body of Christ unite, co-workers unite, groups and association members unite, friends unite, partners unite … and nothing you purpose to achieve will be impossible; no goal will be stopped. The force of the fusion of heart and mind will bring about an accomplishment.
“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;” [I Peter 3:8 NKJV].
Prayer Action:
-Praise the Almighty Father of nations.
-Pray for 15 minutes in the language of the Spirit that descended at Pentecost.
-Pray to God the Father to release grace upon you today, to dwell in unity[in the right place and with the right people].
-Pray for unity in the body of Christ and in the nations of the world.
-Pray against division and its attending curse; Ask the Lord for the unprecedented blessing of unity.
