Daily Reading: 5-20-16
Ephesians 4:1-6 New Living Translation (NLT)
The LORD, our Tree of Life, calls us to come, taste, and see that God is Good (Psalm 34:8). We gather and grow as we partake of the grace flowing from our Tree. Jesus teaches he is the Vine and we are the branches of this amazing life-giving Tree (John 15:5). As we stay connected to our Source and one another we become bound (wrapped by grace) as One loving, forgiving, peacemaking and Spirit-led people who extend Hope to the world. Victory is all about making a “grace connection” to the Tree in the Father’s Vineyard or Garden. The Apostle Paul urges the Church at Ephesus to remember and apply the power outflowing their connection to God.
Ephesians 4:1-6
Unity in the Body
4 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.
5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.
It is our desire for Oneness with the Living God (One LORD and One Faith) that brings the baptism of the Spirit (Spirit gives God’s life to our spirits); the Father desires to connect all creation in His Love. If you have connected to Christ, you are a branch called and capable of producing the fruit of grace. The Spirit brings the power. May we allow the grace flowing from the Tree into us, today, spill out and flow from us into others in a humble, gentle, patient and loving manner. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Then, others will taste the righteous fruit from God’s Spirit. Perhaps with that taste you give them they will also come and see that the LORD is Good.
Prayer: Father, thank You for connecting me by Grace to Your Life. Your love for me is amazing and I will forever be grateful. With my gratitude, help me to bear the fruit befitting a branch from Your Tree. Help me to give others a taste of Your goodness, today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.