31 DAYS OF UNITY CAMPAIGN

DAY NINE

  • 13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 15 Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Our spiritual journey begins with revelation, a new understanding of ourselves through the eyes of our Creator. We discover who we are, who we have been created to be, and who we can become through the love of Christ. This starting place creates space to hear from God, to gaze upon the beauty of God’s kingdom, and to gain sober judgment of ourselves. We seek truth in reflection, and we surrender ourselves to God’s call of repentance that always precedes our rebirth and healing. We lament together for the ways in which we have fallen short of God’s glory. We grieve the brokenness in ourselves, the church, and the world around us.

As you reflect on the passage for the day, ask yourself these questions:

  • What is God revealing to you about God’s nature?

  • Is there a call to repentance in this passage?

  • What is the Spirit showing you in this passage that we need to be encouraged by or challenged with?


TODAY’S PRAYER

Lord, reveal the ways in which we have failed to live in obedience to you and to love one another as the children of God. We long to be unified through your love and to live as the body of Christ. Renew our hearts and minds through your unending love, and give us the courage to surrender ourselves to your Spirit this day. Amen

Commentary: (Re)flect

Video Reflection

Today’s video reflection is from Dr. Miranda Zapor Cruz, Professor of Theology at Indiana Wesleyan University