A godly nation is Christ-centred. Christ's body is the gift to this world.
What joy for the nation whose God is the LORD, whose people He has chosen for His inheritance. Psalms 33:12
Friendship is truly a wonderful thing. Being able to get to know people of different characters and personalities, sharing sweet memories with them, and learning from one another is a gift like no other. No human ever wants to be alone - Man wasn't designed that way. God made Eve for Adam, the perfect partner to complete Adam. God designed us for unity with one another and He has commanded us to love one another as we love ourselves.
Being able to walk in this life surrounded by many different faces is like walking in nature and seeing thousands of different plant life - all of unique beauty, all serving purpose. It is a masterpiece in the making!
This is like how God sees us. No, not like a plant in nature, but a unique person of beauty and purpose. He designed you and I, knitting us together in our mother's womb, and knowing us before the world even began. Every human on this planet is of God's design, and He sees us all the same - beautiful and on-purpose. God has no favourites - Jesus died on the cross for everyone. He loves us all unconditionally and He desires each of us to turn from our wicked ways and follow Him. He desires a godly nation with Christ at the centre.
As children of God, us brothers and sisters in Christ have become one body. We all serve different purposes, just like a body has many parts, but we all make up one body (1 Corinthians 12:12). Parts of the body can't work without another part and therefore at the centre of Christ's body - Jesus Himself is. He is the cornerstone. We are the church. He is the life-giving, heart-pumping breath to this body and without Him we are nothing. All we know and all we serve and follow is because of Christ's work within us and that is why there is such joy for the godly nation. A godly nation is Christ-centred and that is what the world desperately needs. The world needs Jesus.
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
We are God's ambassadors - lights shining in the darkness. The world turns and the darkness is growing but that's when the light shines even brighter! As God's holy nation, we ought to keep shining His light! And more importantly, we need to stay in unity with one another as Christ's body! There is nothing as uplifting than an encouraging word. Solomon says it is like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body (Proverbs 16:24). A psalmist also wrote that God's Word is sweet - even sweeter than honey (Psalm 119:103). When we refresh ourselves in God's Word daily, we can refresh others. And when we refresh others, our faith grows and the body of Christ strengthens!
That is why we share testimonies - to testify to God's awesome power and uplift one another in our faith. When God pours in, He overflows our cup. And then we can't help but pour out His goodness, sweetness, and faithfulness to others.
Today, I want to encourage you to take a moment and thank God for the godly friends and family He has brought across your life. Whether it was for a season or for many, God speaks through His godly nation and He will always encourage you through His people. I can think of many times when just at the right time I received a phone call from a close friend, and that phone call would make my entire week! God uses His body - His beautiful and purposeful body.
And friends, make every effort to surround yourself with godly people. Bad company corrupts good character. Yes, it is so important to go out into the world and spend time with unbelievers as God will use you in many ways. Jesus ate with sinners and chose twelve unholy men to be His disciples. We are no better than the person next to us, but we have Jesus, and He's the difference. Surrounding yourself with godly people calls for our faith to grow, for challenges to arise and for God to strengthen and prepare the church for what is to come. We are Jesus' bride - holy and acceptable by His blood that washes us clean and His body that makes us whole and new. We are also His bride in preparation for His return and we can't be sleeping when He does.
Living in unity with one another is a testament of God's Presence. So, encourage one another in Christ. Talk about Jesus together, pray for one another, read Scripture together, and worship our Father together. Correct one another in love and allow God to grow you just as He does the flowers in the fields. The church is only as strong as the people in it, and when we aren't diving deeper into Jesus, we lose touch of unity in the body. The body parts malfunction and the whole body becomes tired. Unity in the body is the start of revival, and it starts when we seek God with all of our hearts. When we put down our sinful ways and compromise, let go of our lives completely, and wholeheartedly follow Jesus - one by one He will gather His sheep and thousand by thousand will His people come running to Him - where we all belong! Hallelujah!
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." John 15:12-15
Father God, we come to You in the Name of Jesus. Thank You Lord for friends, family, and the people You have created. Thank You that we do not have to live life alone but in the company of You, Lord, and our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray for unity in the body God. May the church wake up and wholeheartedly seek You Jesus. Lord, may You prepare Your bride in holiness and righteousness, and may You use us for Your Kingdom. Thank You Jesus for my lovely friends and family, and I pray for all my friends and family who have yet to follow You. Thank Your for Your Presence with us God, and for Your comfort. We give You all the glory, power, and honour God. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Thank you Amber 💞