“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 1 Corinthians 1:10-11

Senior Living said: A man and his wife were walking through a park in Miami one afternoon when they saw a Cuban family enjoying a picnic. The family was tossing scraps of bread to a raccoon and saying repeatedly, “Oye, chico, ven aca” (Come here, boy!).

The man thought for a moment and laughed. He confessed to his wife that his first reaction was, “That’s silly. Raccoons don’t speak Spanish!”

Whatever our background, it’s our nature to see the world through our own experiences. This can sometimes create a problem when well-meaning people from different backgrounds try to resolve conflict, each carrying his or her own assumptions for how the world “should” work.

When we look at much of the disunity in our churches today, this has been the crux of the issue: People from different ages, races, and backgrounds come together with their own ideas of how Christianity works. But the truth is that these ideas are just that… ideas. They’re preferences based on our own life experiences.

To have unity in our churches, we as members must submit our preferences to a simple question: What is the best way to carry out the Great Commandment of loving God and loving people? So instead of just fighting for what seems right to you, question your own assumptions and be part of the conversation for how to move forward in unity!

Ask God to help you see your opinions on non-biblical matters as secondary to unity in the Body of Christ.

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.1 Peter 5:10

Such a little while…. a very little while, The late Dr. Gordon loved to read it, Yet a little while, how little, how little! which is the literal rendering of the Greek. A little while! compared with the eternal years; with the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; with the compensations which await us in the Home of God. Though our life were one long agony, it would seem but as yesterday when it is past; a dream, or a sleepless watch in the night, when the morning breaks.
There is a limitation to our suffering. It is only for a little while; but every moment has been fixed by the immutable purpose and love of God. The hour of darkness is timed with an exact measurement. You shall not suffer one moment more than is absolutely necessary for your perfecting of God’s glory; and for every moment there is an ample supply of grace.

But remember also that in Christ God has called you to his Eternal Glory. You heard that call years ago, and have been following it through days of evil and nights of pain. But the gifts and calling of God are without repentance, and He is waiting to fulfill his eternal purpose. What a banquet that will be when God will satisfy the expectations of those whom He has called to partake of it! And the suffering is being used in ways you little understand to perfect, stablish, and strengthen you. It is from sick chambers and torture-rooms that God brings forth his veteran hosts in the day of battle. Think not so much of affliction as of the love of Christ, and the blessedness of being like Him and with Him for ever.

Some time ago an article appeared in the Reader’s Digest telling about a  most unusual tree called the “Bristlecone Pine.” Growing in the western  mountain regions, sometimes as high as two or more miles above sea level,  these evergreens may live for thousands of years. The older specimens often
have only one thin layer of bark on their trunks. Considering the habitat of  these trees, such as rocky areas where the soil is poor and precipitation is slight, it seems almost incredible that they should live so long or even survive at all.

The environmental “adversities,” however, actually contribute to their longevity. Cells that are produced as a result of these perverse conditions are densely arranged, and many resin canals are formed within the plant. Wood that is so structured continues to live for an extremely long period of time. The author Darwin Lambert says in his article, “Bristlecone Pines in richer conditions grow faster, but die earlier and soon decay.” The harshness of their surroundings, then, is a vital factor in making them strong and sturdy. How similar this is to the experience of the Christian who graciously accepts the hardships God allows to come into his life.– F B Meyer

While everything depends on prayer, prayer isn’t everything we ought to do. We need to put feet to our prayers. If we expect God to do what we can’t we must do what we can. As someone long ago said, ” God feeds the sparrow, but He doesn’t throw the worm in its nest. J. R. Miller put it this way:

Knowing this might not change your circumstances but it can change your attitude and actions. Because of God’s grace “..all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose“(Rom. 8:28). It is no wonder that we call it “amazing”! It is more than adequate for every need and available to whosoever will receive it. Through grace we can deal with every trial, decline every temptation, defeat every enemy, do all things, depend on every promise, defend against pride, deepen our relationship with Christ and delight in every day.

I can’t tell you how many tImes I’ve heard someone say, “I hate waiting!”. Actually I’ve said it myself numerous times, and I wasn’t lying. I hate stoplights, lines, appointments, and things that keep me from my plans. I’m not proud of my impatience—just telling it like it is. Although I have to confess that I ought to be more mature, I need to be honest about this. Too many times I’m like the fellow who prayed, “Lord give me patience, right now”. But when we wait on the Lord it is always worth the wait– the time is never wasted. James Smith wrote: