I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3.14

Life Together
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945)

“The more genuine and the deeper our community becomes, the more will everything else between us recede, the more clearly and purely will Jesus Christ and his work become the one and only thing that is vital between us.”

Church leaders have lots of priorities, just as their churches do. Do we allow our priorities to get in the way of building community among the members of the Body of Christ? Is community within our church, and with and among other churches in our community, a priority for us? Jesus has but one Body, and He would not be found fragmenting it through indifference, competition, and mutual suspicion. The one vital thing is Jesus and His work, and unity is crucial to that going forward (Jn. 17.21). The more we focus on Jesus, the more we abide in Jesus, the more He will enable us to overcome our differences and live and love together as one Body. It’s easy to hold on to the things that divide us; holding on to Jesus, and striving together for Him – that’s the key.

What are the top three priorities of your church? Is unity one of them? Should it be?

T. M. Moore

The vision of Christ
Growing in Christ requires a growing vision of Christ – where He is, how He is, what He’s doing, and how we may abide in Him. Our free 28-day devotional journey through Psalm 45, Glorious Vision: 28 Days in the Throne Room of the Lord, can help you fix the vision of Christ more firmly in your mind and soul. Download your free copy by clicking here.

What does love look like?
If we are to aim at increasing in love for God and our neighbors, we need to know what love looks like as it acts according to the Word of God. Download the free PDF on loving God and neighbors, and use the worksheet to help you identify needed areas of growth (click here).

Thanks to those of you who support our work with your prayers and gifts. Our heavenly Father supports The Fellowship of Ailbe through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.