From: John & April Correia <[email protected]>
Subject: Encouragements From The Heart - July 3, 1998
Date: Wednesday, July 02, 1997 22:02 PM

(Paul the apostle speaking), As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.  This is why it says:  "When He ascended on high, He led captives in His train and gave gifts to men." [Ps. 68:18]  (What does "He ascended" mean except that He also descended to the lower, earthly regions?  He who descended is the very One who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)  It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  Then  we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.          [Ephesians 4: 1-16]  

Are you living a life worthy of the calling you have received?  There is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all; do you believe/been taught contrary?  Beloved this is Biblical unity in the body of Christ.  Walk in the light of this truth - for it's Truth shall set you free.
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The above message (poem, story, etc.) is sent to you as a ministry of encouragement.  Please feel free to pass the encouragement on to others. If you'd like to be added to the mailing list reply to  [email protected] Subject:  "add to"  Encouragement's From The Heart.   Have a joyous and bountiful day in the Lord!
April Correia
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