Satan loves for churches to compete against each other ...

But God loves for churches to complete each other. That's the message laid out in a YouTube video clip I just watched by Craig Groeschel, pastor of LifeChurch.tv a dynamic and fast-growing church. You may cut and paste the url address: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RpZEe4w4fY&feature=channel) if you have the patience to click over to YouTube and watch it, but it's worth the watch. You can probably also access it easily by typing "Satan loves for churches to compete against each other" in the YouTube search box. You can also subscribe to the LifeChurch.tv channel and search for it there.

The bottom line is that the need to reach people with the transformational message of the Gospel is greater than any one church can accomplish in isolation. Churches need each other desperately to advance the mission more effectively and to show the world the reality of our profession (what comes out of our mouths).

Our church is going through a study called "Your Church Experiencing God Together" by Henry and Mel Blackaby. Last week we learned that God has no orphans. When someone comes to faith in Christ, that person is birthed into a spiritual family, a living body and the kingdom (of God). The local church is a spiritual family, but it is also a part of the worldwide (indeed universal) Kingdom of God!

Friends, if we are true believers in Christ, then we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus Himself said that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Mark 3:24. God calls us into a love relationship with Himself and with each other; that is the essence of our faith. This week let's focus on how we can move past our divisions and silly competitions. Let's focus on how we can show love and aid to all brothers and sisters in Christ; wherever they may happen to go to church. Jesus said that's how the world will know that the Father sent Him. See John 17:20-26.

This applies even if you feel you've been wronged by a Christian brother or sister. See Matthew 5:23-24. Even then, God's desire is that His children would be reconciled. I know that this is never easy, and it takes patience, courage and prayer. But how can we be a witness to a watching world if we can't along?

Please stop and quietly think about that.

Blessings; Pastor Wayne