![\"Heb4_16\"](\"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/Heb4_16.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n___________________________________<\/p>\n
I AM Accepted…<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n I have a dream that burns within my heart.\u00a0 I was very young when I first felt the fire of that dream.\u00a0 Its warmth has kept me going down a different path that separates my way from the world.\u00a0 Even in church circles I am different.\u00a0 A square peg trying to find my way through the round hole.\u00a0 Maybe you are too…and never realized it.<\/p>\n As a Christ-follower I never really understood why there were \u201cdenominations\u201d of believers. To me, a denomination is a mathematical term used to quantify or an English term used as an adjective to describe the more superior word (noun).\u00a0 Why do we need denominations in the family of God?\u00a0 My experience has been that denominations are exclusive, divisive and, well, negative.\u00a0 You must join, perform, and perpetrate the belief\u00a0for that church \u00a0to flourish.<\/p>\n A few years back, my \u201cword of purpose\u201d was Unity.\u00a0 There should be unity in the body of Christ.\u00a0 Unity in the Church (with a capital \u201cC\u201d).\u00a0 Does this thought ever cross your mind?\u00a0 Look at what the Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:4-6<\/span>:<\/p>\n \u201cThere 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.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n UNITY<\/strong> means we are all ONE<\/em>.<\/p>\n Jesus<\/span> established the Church.\u00a0 The members of the church were followers of the Way (John 14:6).\u00a0<\/span> The Way is a person:\u00a0Jesus<\/span><\/strong>!\u00a0 Jesus<\/span> is the Christ, the Messiah, the Lord of All.\u00a0 When we each stand before God we will be asked\u00a0 \u201dWhat was your relationship with Jesus<\/span>?\u201d\u00a0 The question will NOT be \u201cWhat denomination did you belong to?\u201d \u00a0The question will be \u201cWho<\/strong> <\/em>do you belong to?\u201d<\/p>\n When Paul stood before the council of Jews (as reported in Acts 24) he talks about his experiences and commitment to the Way.\u00a0 He was asked about his beliefs because they were radical.\u00a0 Paul lived his life following Jesus\u2019<\/span> example.\u00a0 He was \u201cAll In.\u201d<\/p>\n There is another word that describes someone who strives to live like Jesus<\/span>:\u00a0 Christian.\u00a0 Because Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah and the Son of God, He is known as Jesus Christ.\u00a0 Those who choose to live life by His example can call themselves Christians<\/em>.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, the world hears the term \u201cChristian\u201d and thinks \u201cPharisee,\u201d \u201cHypocrite,\u201d and \u201cJudgmental.\u201d\u00a0 Do those words describe your walk with the Lord?\u00a0 If we truly live our lives like Jesus, we will show love and compassion, grace and mercy, and generosity.\u00a0 The world will want to know us and our Savior.\u00a0 Jesus\u2019 life changed the world.\u00a0 Jesus living in you will change the world also.\u00a0 Let\u2019s change our world in Jesus\u2019 name and live it by His example.<\/p>\n Jesus gave us a gift.\u00a0 Have you accepted it yet?\u00a0 Just like with any new gift, we have to learn how to use it properly.\u00a0 Apply yourself to learning who Jesus is and what His life was about.\u00a0 Jesus will Rock your World!!!\u00a0 So, back to denominations\u2026<\/p>\n Paul, in his letter to the church in Corinth addresses the division in the church over which leader they were going to follow (1 Corinthians 1<\/span>).\u00a0 The man leading<\/em> the church was not as important as Jesus Christ as the head<\/em> of the church.\u00a0 The Corinthians received correction over their wrong thinking.\u00a0 We need to check our allegiances, too.<\/p>\n If this topic of Unity of the Body of Christ has sparked an interest for you, please read First Corinthians Chapter 1, ask God to give you an understanding of being \u201cOne with Christ,\u201d and a part of a larger body of believers (The Church).<\/p>\n Look at these words of beauty and warning:<\/p>\n \u201cEvery word of God proves true.\u00a0 He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.\u00a0 Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Proverbs 30:5-6<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAnd I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book:\u00a0 If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Revelation 22:18<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n These words are from the book of wisdom and the best friend of Jesus.\u00a0 Follow the Great I AM<\/strong>.\u00a0 Accept His Gift, it\u2019s free.\u00a0 Learn the Truth, follow the Way and let Him show you how to LIVE.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You have been chosen by Jesus<\/span>.\u00a0 You have been ACCEPTED<\/em><\/span> <\/strong>into the family of God.\u00a0 What is your response to Jesus?<\/p>\n We are a City on a Hill.\u00a0 We are to be shining the Light.\u00a0 We are ONE.\u00a0 United we will Stand. Divided we will FALL.<\/p>\n\n