Tag: Abba’s House

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America The Life of Faith Through The Looking Glass

Echoes of A Christmas Carol

Through the Looking Glass

Dickens

In 1867, during a visit to Chicago, Charles Dickens read A Christmas Carol at a public reading. There was a man in the audience by the name of Fairbanks, who owned a factory. He was so moved by what he heard that he decided to break his tradition of being open on Christmas Day, and gave his employees the day off. Not only that, he gave a turkey to each and every employee.

We never know how the words that we speak will affect someone else, and how that can spread to affect many. Whether a literary masterpiece or a kind word spoken in secret, the tongue holds great powers of healing and encouragement.

As we begin this Christmas Season – the season of peace on earth and good will to men – may we all remember to let our words be seasoned with love, garnished with hope, and simmering with kindness and good cheer. May the love of Jesus be evident with every word we speak.

“And so, as Tiny Tim observed, ‘God bless us, every one.'”

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The Mysteries of God Through The Looking Glass

The Mercy of the Lionheart

Through the Looking Glass

The story is told that, while walking around the perimeter of a castle wall one evening, King Richard the Lionheart was struck in the shoulder and neck by an archer’s arrow. Days later, as he lay close to death, he asked that the captured archer be brought before him. As the would-be assassin stood before the dying King, expecting to hear the order of execution, he heard these words instead:

1227101031a“Live on, and by my bounty behold the light of day”.

King Richard then ordered the young man to be freed, and given 100 shillings.

The Bible says that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”. It was our sins that nailed Jesus to the cross.

But…

It was HIS mercy that cried out, “Father, forgive them.”

It was HIS grace that put all of the riches and resources of Heaven at our disposal.

As we enter into a week of Thanksgiving for all of God’s goodness toward us, let us all remember to put His mercy and grace at the top of the list.

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Living It Out In Real Time The Life of Faith The Mysteries of God The Secret Place

Following The Father’s Voice

Leaves1As we enjoy the colors of fall, in the midst of a season of thanksgiving, this seemed like a good thought for today…

Jesus’ challenge to us  – His calling – is to “follow on”.

What an exciting call!

Jesus acknowledges us as joint heirs with Him, saying literally, “What is Mine is yours.” And the Holy Spirit wants to guide you into the treasure chest of what God has for you.

We have, for too long, kept our hands behind our backs, Leaves3afraid to plunge them into the fruit basket of the Spirit, not opening up the presents God has for us. There is so much to experience – so much to see. Jesus cries, “Follow on!”

A simple, yet potentially double-edged Ashanti proverb begins Javaka Steptoe’s picture book entitled In Daddy’s Arms, I Am Tall, a powerful collection of poems celebrating African American fathers. The proverb reads…

When you follow in the path of your father, you learn to walk like him.

Leaves2In Jesus’ arms, I don’t have to worry about the future! The future is in the hands of my Father. He will whisper in my ear, and He will say, “This is what I am going to do if you trust me and step out in faith. My gifts are here to help you live in peace and joy.”

— from the book, Kisses from the Father
by Ron Phillips

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America The Bible The Life of Faith

Lord, Liar, or Lunatic

I recently read an article that was disturbing beyond belief – as a Christian, a pastor, and an American.

The Conservative Baptist Association of America is suing the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs after two chaplains were openly ridiculed by the leader of San Diego-based VA-DOD Clinical Pastoral Education Center program**. This program is designed specifically for chaplains who want to be able to minister to soldiers and veterans in VA hospitals. Among other things, the lawsuit filed alleges the following:

  • The Instructor (for the program) told the chaplains that it was the policy of the VA in general (and her in particular) that chaplains should not pray in the name of Jesus.
  • In October 2012, the Instructor told the class she believes God could be either man or woman. When Chaplain #1 referred to The Lord’s Prayer, she “angrily pounded her fist on the table and shouted, ‘Do not quote Scripture in this class.’”
  • In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook school shooting, Chaplain #2 mentioned during a group discussion on counseling that he would tell a parent that “there is evil in the world.” The Instructor retorted, “You don’t actually believe that do you?”
  • In January 2013, the Instructor told the chaplains “there is no room in the program for those who believe they are right and everybody else is wrong.”

As Christians, we have a Bible that is our source of strength, wisdom, and instruction. As Americans, we have a Constitution that guarantees the inalienable rights of it’s citizens to believe, worship, and speak, as is stated:

KS77810Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

According to this Amendment (the FIRST Amendment contained in The Bill of Rights), we as Americans are guaranteed the right to free speech – speech that, right or wrong, may offend some. We are guaranteed that government CANNOT prohibit the free exercise of religion. If our “religion” states that Jesus is Lord, it is our right, not only to believe such, but to speak it as well.

But, more than that, we as Christians are held to a higher standard than even the Constitution. We stand on the Living, Inerrant Word of the God of the universe… the Bible. If we are who we claim to be, and believe what we claim to believe, then our mandate and responsibility are crystal clear:

We must believe. Jesus is either exactly who He said He was, or we all just need to sell our churches and go home. He is either the Lord of the Universe, or He was a lunatic. Some religions claim He was a good man, a great teacher, or a prophet. Sorry – not possible. If He was not exactly who He claimed to be, then He was a liar who has led billions of people astray. That would not be someone that anyone in their right mind would consider to be a “good man”.

We must receive. Jesus said:

“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me” ~ John 14:6

Jesus didn’t say “I am A way” – He said, “I am THE Way”. The idea that “all paths lead to God” may play well talk shows, reality television, and group therapy sessions, but the problem is that it just is not the truth. There is ONE Way to God – through the door marked by the blood-stained cross of Jesus. The cornerstone of our faith is that belief.

We must tell the world. One of the last recorded things Jesus said on this earth was what we now refer to as the Great Commission:

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ~ Matthew 28:19

We know from Scripture that not everyone will welcome the Good News of Jesus. As Paul told the Corinthians…

Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles… ~ 1 Corinthians 1:22-23

BibleWe live in a society that has sacrificed conviction for convenience, belief for bogus arguments, and freedom for the cold, bland bowl of lies, served up by “The First Church of ME”. However, we are called to be — and MUST remain — a Light in the world. Make no mistake about it – what looks like a fight with radical forces within our government is really a battle being waged on a much greater battlefield. There is a war in the Heavenlies being fought for humanity. And at the end of the day, when all of the arguments have been made, we must do as Paul told the Ephesians…

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (emphasis added).

When all is said and done, Heaven and earth will pass, but the words of Jesus will remain forever. So take heart, believer! After all… among His life-giving words are these:

“I have overcome the world.”

** If you would like to read the article in it’s entirety, go here.

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America Living It Out In Real Time The Bible The Life of Faith The Mysteries of God Through The Looking Glass

In Remembrance

KS77759As we take this day to honor our veterans and their service to our nation, we are once again reminded of the bravery, dedication, and sacrifice of our brave service men and women. Our country is safe and free, in large part, because of the admirable service of those that have made the decision to dedicate their lives to military service. To all who have served in our armed forces, past and present, we honor you today.

But while this day is marked by much fanfare and excitement, this past weekend, another anniversary passed without the pomp and ceremony surrounding Veterans Day.

On November 9-10, 1938, the event known as Kristallnacht occurred throughout Germany and Austria. On the night of November 9, riots began that targeted Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues. Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken Glass) was called such because of the broken glass shards that littered the streets from all of the broken windows from Jewish-owned establishments. The rioters included non-Jewish civilians, SA paramilitary personnel, and non-uniformed SS agents. While not an “official” government operation, authorities looked on at the death and destruction, and did nothing. By the morning of November 11, over 1,000 synagogues were burned, over 7,000 Jewish-owned businesses were destroyed or damaged, around 30,000 Jews were incarcerated in concentration camps, and at least 91 Jews were killed. The events of Kristallnacht were the dawn of, and ushered in, the Holocaust – resulting in the murder of approximately 6 millon Jews.

Dachau 2So why am I discussing the events of Kristallnacht on Veteran’s Day?

Because it was our servicemen who were responsible for liberating some of the Nazi concentration camps such as Buchenwald, Mauthausen, and Dachau at the end of World War II. It was our brave soldiers who witnessed first-hand the atrocities, and exhibited compassion to the thousands of Jewish prisoners who had suffered under the cruelty and barbarism of the Nazi regime.

And it was our President (Harry Truman) who recognized the State of Israel on May 14, 1948 — eleven minutes after David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the Jewish State of Israel.

As an American, I am proud of the support our nation has given Israel these many decades. As a Christian, I understand the necessity of supporting the Jewish people. The promise that God made to Abraham was a covenant promise that is alive, well, and still in effect today…

I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you. ~ Genesis 12:3

In a time in history when we are again seeing the rise of anti-Israel sabre-rattling from rogue nations, as well as radical Muslim organizations, it is important for America to let the world know that we stand squarely and unshakingly behind our Israeli friends. We must reject any idea or ideology that weakens Israeli security, and lock arms with our best friend in the Middle East. In doing this, we are not just fulfilling our duty as believers in Christ, but we are honoring our own heritage.

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Healing Living It Out In Real Time The Bible The Life of Faith

Upsize Your Future to God-Sized

Across the WaterAccording to the World Health Organization, by the year 2020, the number 2 disease in the world will be depression. Worse than that, suicide will be in the top 5 causes of death worldwide.

In his wonderful book, Moving Beyond Depression, Dr. Greg Jartz cites four stages of this debilitating affliction:

  • Loss of the ability to experience joy.
  • Loss of hope.
  • Sense of no positive future.
  • An attitude of “what’s the use?” “Why carry on?”

All of this leads to an atmosphere of negativity and negative self-talk which manifests itself in anger, fear, guilt, and shame.

Now, I would go a step further and add one more thing to Dr. Jartz’s list: Demonic oppression. Fear, anger, guilt, and shame are normal emotions that, given the opportunity to linger (ie: dwelling on them) will become spiritual strongholds of wrong thinking, inviting demonic pressure. After all:

  • Anger drains optimism.
  • Fear steals hope.
  • Shame and guilt crush joy.

Overcoming this paralysis of hopelessness requires a change of mind and heart – a paradigm shift.

For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Get Rid of Stinking Thinking

Moving from heaviness to hope requires a choice… your choice. Albert Einstein once said that “Significant problems cannot be solved at the same level of thinking that created them.” Make a decision to tear down the strongholds of wrong thinking, evict the agents of darkness, and upsize to God-sized… GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES!!!!

Evaluate Your Situation Honestly

Only the truth will set you free. We find in the above verse a promise… God has a plan for your life!

However, the context of this verse is interesting. The people are already in captivity. God may not take you out of your circumstances, but may choose to bless you in the midst of them!

Get The Basic Stuff Right

We have to recognize that the plans of God are not fanciful schemes. In the case of the people Jeremiah was talking to, God didn’t hit them in the head with a gold brick. Sometimes, the resources and answers are not immediate. Instead, God’s desire for us may be to affect change where we are. That may mean to settle in, build homes, start businesses, grow families, and be positive influences in the places where God puts us. Just do the normal, everyday stuff with all of your heart, and watch what God can do. Do it with gusto, and expect to prosper where you are (even if it is in a place of governmental hostility and oppression).

Claim A God-Sized Future

We may not always see the end result of the promise, but God’s promises about our future is multi-generational. We may not see the prophetic word fulfilled, but our children and grandchildren can!

So what should you do to claim the future God has for you?

  • Make God’s promise your plan.
  • Make prayer a priority.
  • Make the pursuit of God’s Presence a Holy passion.
  • Realize that God’s Presence is the Pathway to Prosperity.

Friend, you have a God-sized future waiting for you! Take hold of His promises today!

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Living It Out In Real Time The Life of Faith The Secret Place Through The Looking Glass

Finding Your Place In The World

Through The Looking Glass2Here is an interesting quote I recently heard…

For me, in personal living… in fulfilling our place in the world… in faithful use of our talents… each of these is a spoke in the circle of successful living. Prayer is the hub that holds the wheel together. Without our contact with God, we are nothing… With it, we are ‘a little lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor’.

These words were not uttered by a famous preacher or evangelist. They were spoken by Conrad Hilton, the man who founded the Hilton chain of hotels… a successful businessman who understood the power of prayer, and that a relationship with God is CENTRAL to any lasting success we can have in this world.

In God’s economy, being a success isn’t about money or fame… it’s about a right relationship with Him. It’s about seeking Him in every decision, and trusting Him to guide your every step.

Do you want to be a success on God’s terms?

Understand the power of prayer in your life, and you’ll discover a supply of peace, contentment, and hope that never ends.

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America Living It Out In Real Time The Life of Faith

The Buck Stops Here

Well, this seems to be the $17 trillion dollar question:

“What is going on in Washington?”

It is disturbing to witness the dismantling of our nation right before our eyes. What we are seeing taking place in Washington right now is nothing short of tragic. There is confusion, division, and unfortunately, deception.

LOTS of deception.

Mystery surrounds the “dismissal” of nearly 200 high-ranking military officers for reasons that range from “questionable” to “absurd”. Scandals continue to plague the NSA, the IRS, the State Department, the Pentagon, the Justice Department, and the White House. Questions go unanswered concerning the Benghazi attack, the mistreatment of our allies, and the assault on our Constitution. And as the inexcusable deception related to Obamacare is unfolding before our eyes, the influence and positioning of Muslims in seats of governmental power is slipping “under the radar”… unnoticed, unchecked, and unhindered.

To say “I am alarmed” by the Islamic infiltration of our government at some of the highest levels would be a gross understatement.

Consider, if you will, this case…

Many of you remember the moral scandal that brought down New York Congressman Anthony Weiner. What you may not know is that his wife Huma Mahmood Abedin, a Muslim, worked for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, serving as Deputy Chief of Staff. While Ms. Abedin was working for Hillary Clinton, she was simultaneously working for a journal promoting Islamic supremacist ideology founded by Al-Qaeda financier Abdullah Omar Nasseef. Her parents support and worked for the terrorist organization led by Sheik Yusuf-al-Qaradawi, the notorious Muslim Brotherhood jurist, who has issued fatwas calling for the killing of American military personnel and suicide bombings in Israel.

In light of these facts, how in the world did Huma Abedin get the kind of high-level security clearance she would have to have in order to work in the State Department, and with unfettered access to the Secretary of State of the United States of America?

Why has nothing been done about Muslim extremists? Why do the questions about Benghazi go unanswered? Why has this administration repeatedly and recklessly chosen to align itself with terrorist organizations such as the Muslim Brotherhood – at the risk of irreparably damaging our relationship with our #1 Middle-Eastern ally, Israel?

After 9-11, one would think that a long, hard look would be taken before appointing anyone remotely tied to Islam to a high-level government post. However, this administration has chosen to openly welcome Islamists into the upper echelons of U.S. power. Consider these…

Arif Alikhan – Assistant Secretary for Policy Development for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Mohammed Elibiary – Homeland Security Adviser.

Rashad Hussain – Special Envoy to the (OIC) Organization of the Islamic Conference.

Salam al-Marayati – Obama Adviser and  founder of Muslim Public Affairs Council and its current executive director.

Imam Mohamed Magid – Obama’s Sharia Czar, Islamic Society of North America.

Eboo Patel – Advisory Council on Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships.

So, what can we do? What must we do?

We must pray. We must commit ourselves to prayer and fasting for this nation to return to God. We must encourage our friends to do the same. This has gone far beyond “politics as usual”. This battle has long since crossed into the spiritual realm with the very soul of our nation at stake. We must heed the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14, humble ourselves before the Lord, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wickedness. Then, and only then, will we see the healing of our land.

We must stand for truth. We ARE still a nation under God. No amount of history revisionism can change our Judeo-Christian heritage and foundation. It is time for the church to once again be the church, and stop cowering in the corner of society, fearful of offending hand-picked, government-approved special interest groups dedicated to immorality, ungodliness, and the dumbing-down of Biblical values. It is time for the Billy Sundays, the D. L. Moodys, and the Jonathan Edwards of this generation to arise!

We must stand with Israel. While this administration has done its level best to marginalize and insult our best friend and closest ally in the Middle East, WE THE PEOPLE must never lose sight of the promise that God made to Abraham thousands of years ago when HE promised to “bless those that bless you.” We must pray for Israel, support it in any way we can, and never fail to hold accountable those in our government who fail to do so.

We must communicate with our representatives. It is high time that our elected officials be reminded that they are our representatives, not our rulers; that they were sent to the state house to serve the people, not to enslave the people. Whether Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Liberal, Conservative, or anywhere in between, these people must be held accountable for the decisions they make on behalf of the people, and understand that failure to act in the best interest of the people will result in their removal by the people.

buckstopsherefrontsmallPresident Harry S. Truman famously had a sign on his desk in the White House that read, “The Buck Stops Here”. It is time for our representatives to stop kicking the can of responsibility down the road to future generations and stand up for what is “true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy” (Philippians 4).

As I have said before, May America bless God once again!

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Fresh Oil New Wine 2013 Friendship Living It Out In Real Time The Life of Faith The Mysteries of God Through The Looking Glass

Recognizing Greatness

Through the Looking GlassI have often said that I pity anyone who isn’t from East Tennessee in the fall. With the changing of the colors, and the cool, crispness in the air, it truly is a beautiful place to be.

However, the coolness in the air prompts my mind to wander back a few years, to a time when my team and I were on our way back from the Gambia in Western Africa. We had just finished a week of ministry, it was early January, and we had a short stay in Barcelona, Spain on our trip home. Barcelona just after Christmas is a beautiful place… much of the seasonal decor is still up, and that, combined with the hustle and bustle of after Christmas shoppers and the beautiful architecture of this centuries-old Spanish city made our short stay most enjoyable.

Antonio Gaudi was a famed architect, responsible for some of the most celebrated architecture in Barcelona. When Gaudi died, half of the city of Barcelona mourned his death.

This made the circumstances surrounding his death even more tragic.

You see, three days before, Gaudi was hit by a tram. As he lay injured in the streets of Barcelona, no one would come to his aid. Cab drivers looked at his ragged attire and passed him by, afraid he wouldn’t be able to pay the fare. This renowned architectural genius died in a pauper’s hospital from those very injuries.

We pass people by for many reasons…

… the way they look;

… the way they act;

… they don’t look or talk like us;

… they see the world a little differently from the way we do;

… or, we’re simply just too busy to take the time.

However, Jesus said in Matthew 25:40…

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

In this parable, He is making it very clear that the manner in which we treat others (yes, our enemies too) is the way we treat Him. Our attitude toward Him is reflected in the way we treat those around us. The fact is that, when we pass people by, we are passing by greatness. Just like the passersby in Barcelona failed to recognize the great artist that lay wounded before them, we are passing up the opportunity to reach out to the very people Jesus died to save… people made in the image of God Almighty, who have great worth and potential in the eyes of Christ.

So… the next time you are about to pass someone by, look again. What you see in their face may be the very face of Jesus.

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Living It Out In Real Time The Bible The Life of Faith The Mysteries of God The Secret Place

Strange Fire or Fresh Fire

On Wednesday night at Abba’s House, I was asked to address the recent controversy surrounding statements made by John MacArthur, Pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA. On the proverbial eve of releasing his new book, Strange Fire, Pastor MacArthur hosted a conference at his church by the same name. The Strange Fire Conference was October 16-18, 2013 and was dedicated to attacking Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians.

Before I continue, I would like to state unequivocally that I have a great deal of respect for what Pastor MacArthur has accomplished. He serves in a thriving congregation that has done much for the Kingdom of God. Many lost have come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ under his leadership and ministry. There is a lot he is doing that I believe is – as Philippians 4 says – “true, noble, right, and pure”.

With that being said, I believe that his stance on the Gifts of the Spirit, support of cessationism, and his related and unrelenting attacks upon his brothers and sisters who believe and walk in the fullness of the Spirit are – quite simply – wrong.

With real threats like militant Islam, creeping socialism, moral breakdown, government meltdown, crime and violence, it would seem that there are other targets of greater importance in the battle against the enemy of our souls than those who reside within the walls of the church. Yet, in his new book Strange Fire, MacArthur “opens fire” on fellow Christians. The famed pastor and teacher, who (it appears) has become the resident theologian for Southern Baptists and many evangelists, is continuing his attack on Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians with the publication of his book, as well as last week’s conference.

As the modern arbiter of cessationism, MacArthur is of the belief that the miraculous gifts ceased with the death of the last apostle or at the closing of the Biblical canon (around 100A.D.).

The problem is that this approach has no Biblical support and very little historical validation. His views are simply a regurgitation of the late B. B. Warfield’s views. The teachings of Warfield were a reaction to the events surrounding “Azusa Street” and the mighty Pentecostal awakening in the early 20th century!

I have absolutely no doubt that there are extremists, heretics, and hypocrites among us in every belief circle and corner of Christendom. However, Pentecostal Christianity is the fastest growing part of God’s Kingdom worldwide. It is obvious from what I read, have heard reported by witnesses, and have observed with my own eyes that miracles, signs, wonders, and gifts have not ceased. I have personally witnessed miraculous events, not just within the walls of Abba’s House, but in other churches throughout America, and foreign countries as well.

Cessationism (birthed by Calvinism) is killing both the spirit and the mission heart of Evangelicals. I wish this blog gave me adequate space for a full answer, but it does not. However, in my Essential Guide series of books on the Holy Spirit, I deal Biblically, historically, clearly, and spiritually with all of MacArthur’s attacks.

Volume 4 of the series, An Essential Guide to Spiritual Gifts, answers the cessationist argument in Chapter 3 called, The Availability of Spiritual Gifts Today.

For those of you reading this blog, I will make all 4 Essential Guides available for a gift of $25.00–postage paid (this is a discount of nearly 50% from our regular price… discounted price good through Nov. 2). This includes:

  1. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
  2. Speaking in Tongues
  3. The Gift of Healing
  4. Spiritual Gifts

Simply call our order line at 1-800-877-6493 and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you. Ask for the Fresh Fire blog offer. If the operators are busy, please leave a message, and someone will get right back to you. You can also order online by clicking here.

You can also download these at Kindle, as well as Barnes and Noble.

Remember Luke 3:16, “…He will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire…”

There’s nothing strange about that!

Ron Phillips

PrayerP.S. As I shared from my heart during the service, this picture was snapped by one of my staff members. Our Wednesday night crowd was taking a moment to pray for our brother, Pastor MacArthur. I believe it is time for the body of Christ to heed the words that Paul wrote to the Ephesians and “Make EVERY effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)