UNITY IN DIVERSITY: EMBRACING GOD’S MOSAIC!

Welcome to Tuesday, the *_17th day of DECEMBER 2024._* This is OUR MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION! Receive your *GOOD NEWS* as our joy is divinely rebirthed at *_Christmas!_*

 

  *As God reigns, His mercies that are glorified above judgment will cause you, your spouse, children, ministry, and endeavours to possess your possession before this year leaves the stage for a new one. You will receive the blessings of Christmas with abundant joy and fulfilment, in Jesus’ Name!_*

AMEN!

 

Our *THEME:*

*_“UNITY IN DIVERSITY: EMBRACING GOD’S MOSAIC!”_*

 

  *TEXT: John 17:21.

*_“That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you.”_*

 

Our *BIBLE PASSAGE:*

*1 Corinthians 12:12-27.*

 

  *_I Corinthians 12:12-27 – (Unity in Diversity in One Body)

12. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
13. For by one Spirit we were all baptised into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
14. For in fact, the body is not one member but many.
15. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it, therefore, not of the body?
16. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it, therefore, not of the body?
17. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be?
18. But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.
19. And if they were all one member, where would the body be?
20. But, now – indeed – there are many members, yet one body.
21. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”
22. No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.
23. And those members of the body which we think to be less honourable, on these we bestow greater honour; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty,
24. but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honour to that part which lacks it,
25. that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.
26. If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27. Now you are the body of Christ and members, individually._*

– 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.  (NKJV).

 

  And, Our *Hymn is: *_“THE FIRST NOËL”._*

 

The First Noël

Methodist Hymn Book 131
Text: Traditional English Carol (UMHB 245)
Music: Trad. English carol; harmony from Christmas Carols New and Old
Tune: “The First Nowell.” 

Meter: Irregular with Refrain

1.    The first Nowell the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.Refrain: Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.2. They looked up and saw a star Shining in the east, beyond them far; And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night. (Refrain)3. And by the light of that same star Three Wise Men came from country far; To seek for a king was their intent, And to follow the star wherever it went. (Refrain)4. This star drew nigh to the northwest, O’er Bethlehem it took its rest; And there it did both stop and stay, Right over the place where Jesus lay. (Refrain) 5. Then entered in those Wise Men three, Full reverently upon the knee, And offered there, in his presence, Gold and myrrh and frankincense. (Refrain)

6. Then let us all – with one accord,
   Sing Praises to our Heavenly Lord,
   That hath nade heaven and earth of nought,
   And with His blood mankind hath bought.
   (Refrain)

 

 

The credits for the hymn *_“THE FIRST NOËL.”_*

Originally called ‘The First Nowell’, this Hymn is a traditional Christmas carol originating from the Cornwall region in England. Believed to have been written around the 1400-1500s, the lyrics to “The First Noël Christmas Song” are actually an adaption of the original song. The true author may never be known! However, we do know its current form was first published in Carols Ancient and Modern (1823) and Gilbert and Sandys Carols (1833), both of which were edited by William Sandys at Wikipedia.org and arranged, edited, and with extra lyrics written by Davies Gilbert for Hymns and Carols of God.  The word Nowell is an early English synonym for Christmas, from the French season of Christmas – Noël. The French word Noël ultimately derives from the Latin word Natalis [dies] “[day] of birth”.

The inspiration for this song comes primarily through Bible dramatizations – popular at Christmas time among those seeking miracles upon earthy eventful episodes like Jesus’ birthright based on the Gospel accounts in Luke 2 and Matthew 2!

 

  The *GOOD NEWS!*

*_Let me lead you as we pray:_*

 

1. God has commanded a blessing for your life – and my life – this Christmas: I intercede for you today – You will be favoured and no one will usurp your testimony, in Jesus’ Name!

 

2. God has wiped our sorrows away: every angel of favour that will guide you into your positive endeavours are now manifesting, in the mighty Name of Jesus.

 

3. (Luke 11: 20) With the finger of God, O Holy Spirit – I cast into the abyss, every enchantment and evil spell against your life and your helpers, in Jesus’ Name.

 

4. With you, I step into positive manifestation of fulfilment. Success and greatness have become my reality: Everywhere I turn, I see the goodness of the LORD, now and forever, in Jesus’ Name.

 

5. Let every agent of schism sent against my nation, my relationships, and my reunion with God perish by fire – in Jesus’ Name.

 

6. (Acts. 13:6-12) In the strength of our diversity, I arrest every antagonist of Jesus’ Church’s greatness with blindness, deafness and dumbness as we walk in the power of God’s presence of unity – in the Name of Jesus Christ.

 

7. (Isaiah 51:9-11) Awake, O arm of the Lord and dislodge every spirit of restlessness and disunity in our nation, community, family and life, in Jesus’ Name.

 

AMEN.

 

 

*_I command them to vanish from your life, home, ministry, and endeavours NOW: every sickness, emotional, financial or spiritual barrenness and failure – in Jesus’ Name!_*

 

Our *GOOD NEWS* is titled,

*_“UNITY IN DIVERSITY: EMBRACING GOD’S MOSAIC!”_*

 

  *TEXT: John 17:21.

*_“That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you.”_*

 

*Hymn on focus: _“Great is thy Faithfulness.”_*

 

Beloved, *_Divine Power_* is essential to Christian living. The Almighty God’s presence in the life and deeds of a Christian makes it possible for us to see the manifestation of divine possibilities and fulfilment. When we are in God’s presence of unity – in diversity – He will have His way and make all our impossibilities give way to positive achievements. Hence, we need *_“UNITY IN DIVERSITY, EMBRACING GOD’S MOSAIC!”_*

 

Accepting that we essentially require divine power in our quest to make a success of the GOOD NEWS we receive, let us embrace understanding as we define Unity, Diversity, Embracing, and “God’s Mosaic” as a way to stimulate general knowledge of our GOOD NEWS THEME.

 

*_Unity_* is the state of being united or joined as a whole: We can say *_Though tribes and tongues differ in Nigeria, the patriots’ resolution to uphold the Nation’s unity has become the mainstay of the nation’s wealth and importance to the rest of the world._* 

• Unity is the state of forming a complete and harmonious whole, especially in an artistic context: *_the repeated patterns in the modelling of the figure gives the sculptural piece a sensory unity and artistic harmony._*
• Unity [count noun] is a thing forming a complex whole: *_Pundits agree that of our citizens’ unity during every sporting occasion is a force that ensures the Nation’s relevance in International Sports._*

*_Diversity_* is the state of variety – being assorted, mixed or very different: for instance, *_there is considerable diversity in the African dress sense. • [in singular] being diverse is to have *_newspapers were obliged to allow a diversity of views to be printed._*

Diversity is the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.: *_equality and diversity should be supported for their own sake | cultural diversity within God’s business helps generate religious organisations’ success._*

*_Embracing_* is the action of a character who accepts (a belief, theory, or change) willingly and enthusiastically. For example – *_besides traditional methods, artists are embracing new technology._*

“Embrace” is the word used to include or contain (something) as a constituent part: *_Godliness makes people embrace God’s Mosaic in their activities—love, faith, grace, giving, and service._*

 

*_God’s Mosaic_* Mosaic refers to a picture or pattern produced by arranging small pieces of gemstone, tile, glass, etc.: mosaics on the interior depict scenes from the Old Testament | [mass noun]. Godliness embraces God’s Mosaic in its activities. God’s Mosaics for human living are found in the Holy Books to guide God’s worshippers.

I am a Fine Art practitioner, hence my love for mosaics. In biblical terms, a Christian can embrace several “divine mosaics” that reflect the character and teachings of Christ. Here are five key mosaics:

1. Love: Central to Christian teaching, love of God encompasses love for our neighbours – for others, not being self-centred. Jesus emphasised this in Matthew 22:37-39, where He stated that the greatest commandments are to love God and to love one’s neighbor as oneself.

 

2. Faith: Faith in God and His promises is essential for a Christian’s walk. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. A strong faith enables Christians to trust in God’s plan and purpose.

 

3. Grace: Understanding and accepting God’s grace is crucial. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds Christians that they are saved by grace through faith, not by their own works. Embracing grace allows believers to extend forgiveness and compassion to others.

 

4. Giving: Giving is one of the divine mosaics a Christian must embrace to excel, in biblical terms.

Yes, “Giving” reflects the heart of generosity and stewardship that is in line with biblical teachings.

*Biblical Foundation:* Scriptures such as 2 Corinthians 9:7 emphasise that God loves a cheerful giver. This highlights the importance of giving *_with the right attitude_* rather than givsng out of obligation.

*Expression of Love:* Giving is a way to express love and support for others, as seen in Acts 20:35, which states, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” This mirrors God’s ultimate gift of Jesus Christ’s life to humanity at Christmas.

*Community Impact:* By giving, Christians can help those in need, support their communities, and further the mission of the church, while receiving the inner peace of benevolence, they foster a spirit of unity and compassion.

Embracing the mosaic of giving allows Christians to actively live out their faith and contribute to the well-being of others, reflecting God’s love and generosity.

 

5. Service: Serving others reflects Christ’s example and teachings. Mark 10:45 states that Jesus came to serve, not to be served. Christians are called to serve others in love, using their gifts and talents to impact their communities positively.

By embodying these divine mosaics, Christians can grow in their faith and effectively witness about the love and character of God. This introduces our God-given *GOOD NEWS* for this week.

 

 

Our *GOOD NEWS:*

*_“UNITY IN DIVERSITY: EMBRACING GOD’S MOSAIC!”_*

 

  *TEXT: John 17:21.

*_“That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you.”_*

 

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, we find ourselves in a world that seems fractured by division and strife. It is a time when ideological battles, political strife, logical incongruence, and social tensions threaten to overshadow the beauty of the community. The headlines scream discord, distrust, and disunity, leaving many to ponder whether finding common ground at these End Times is possible. Yet, as followers of Christ, we are called to a higher purpose that emphasises unity amid our diversity. Today, let’s explore this profound biblical principle, understanding that within our differences lies a divine design meant to enrich our lives and glorify our Creator.

 

*I. God’s Design for Unity.* (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)*

 

In 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, the Apostle Paul masterfully illustrates the body of Christ as a unified – yet diverse – entity. He writes, *_“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ._* Each body member, though different, plays an essential role. The foot cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you,” nor can the eye claim superiority over the ear. Each part is vital and valuable, contributing to the overall functionality and health of the Church. Today, God’s design for unity in the Church mirrors this imagery. Our differences—be it in gifts, cultures, or perspectives—serve a divine purpose. We must keep an open heart and avoid judging others without exhausting every means of peace-making. As the bible posits – after one-on-one and Church efforts have failed – we must be in possession of plausible evidence of a person’s wrongdoing before going public (social media or Law Court). Our intolerance and flagrant disregard for biblical due process have dragged us into the present quagmire we find ourselves.  Our uniqueness is not a hindrance but a means to fulfil God’s plan through collaborative effort and love!

 

*II. The Beauty of Diversity.*

 

Reflect for a moment on the beauty of a mosaic. Individual pieces, each unique in colour, shape, and size, come together to form a stunning artwork, reflecting the masterful creativity of the Artist. Likewise, our diversity reflects God’s creativity and intention. Each of us is a piece of God’s divine mosaic, uniquely gifted to contribute to the whole.

 

As Archbishop Desmond Tutu wisely noted, *_“Differences are not intended to separate or alienate. We are different – precisely – to realise our need for one another.”_*

When we embrace our diversity, we tap into many perspectives that enrich our community and deepen our understanding of God. It is only together that we can truly reflect the love of Christ.

 

*III. Overcoming Division*

 

However, we recognise that division often arises from fear, misunderstanding, hatred, and pride. In times of distress, some may retreat to echo chambers and build walls rather than bridges. We must combat these tendencies by fostering empathy, actively listening to one another, and cultivating humility.

 

Let us strive to be more like our Lord, who, in 1 John 4:18, reminds us that “perfect love casts out fear.” When we choose love over fear and understanding over judgment, we pave the way for unity to flourish.

 

*IV. Embracing Unity in Christ.*

The cornerstone of our unity rests in our shared identity as children of God. *_Our primary identification should not stem from political affiliations, social status, or personal preferences, but from our faith in Christ._*

Galatians 3:28 reassures us: *_“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”_*

 

In Christ, our divisions disappear. Through Him, we are invited to a fellowship that goes beyond our differences and creates bonds of love and understanding which unconditionally overlook others’ wrongs.

 

*V. Practical Steps Towards Unity:*

 

To live out this calling, we must take practical steps towards unity. Seek to build intentional relationships across the divides that separate us. Collaborate with those who look different, think differently, or come from various backgrounds. Together, we can engage in conversations that challenge, inspire, and ultimately draw us closer to one another’s God.

 

Let us act, as Pope Francis reminds us: *_“Unity does not imply uniformity… It involves the joyful recognition and acceptance of the gifts the Holy Spirit gives each one.”_*

 

As we reflect on God’s word and the wisdom of spiritual leaders, let us reaffirm that our unity in Christ transcends all earthly divisions. Our differences are not meant to divide us but to enrich our community. Embracing unity in diversity mirrors the essence of the Trinity – diverse in persons yet perfectly united in spirit, nature and purpose.

 

May we choose love over hate, understanding over judgment, and unity over division. As we do so, we fulfil Christ’s prayer in John 17:21: “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you.”

 

*_Let us be known for our love for one another, celebrating our diversity while standing firm in our unity in Christ. Tribal considerations should cease to rule our decisions and allegiance. Let us reason together and be united in love without any myopic or prejudicial intents. Together, we will heal divisions within our community and shine as a beacon of hope in a fractured world, in Jesus’ Name. Amen._*

 

*_I pray that the Holy Spirit will open our eyes, giving us the ability to see beyond the physical; open our ears to hear His voice of instruction, our minds to discern the perfect law of liberty, and our hearts to receive the overpowering reason that overpowers emotions, in Jesus’ Name!_*

*_Amen._*

 

* * *

 

*I now prophesy, according to the Word of God, that YOU will not become Satan’s prey in this End-Time where the enemy of God strives to win souls through human beings’ growing inordinate ambitions to live in a world without GOD. The human desire and demonic demand of this ageing world will not swallow you up – in Jesus’ Name.*

 *_At Christ Jesus’ inspired word, the great help of God will cause you to flourish, annihilating your fears and destroying the traps set for you at these dangerous times, in Jesus’ mighty Name. ONLY BELIEVE!_* 
GLORY BE TO GOD!

 

*_Alleluia!_*

 

 

  *Again, Let Us Pray!*

 

1. (Acts. 13: 6-12) *_My Father, My God: Let every Bar-Jesus waiting to block our divine empowerment become blind, deaf, dumb, and powerless, in Jesus’ Name!_*

 

 

2. *_In Jesus’ Name, I speak against every opposition standing between the faithful ministers of God and their consecration: Let them perish now!_*

 

 

3. *_I am indomitable through Christ Jesus! Every “rise-but-fall” curse that beckons on me to follow the path of evil so that I may lose divine empowerment, I cast you into the abyss, in Jesus’ mighty Name._*

 

4. *_Where is my spiritual baptism to walk in the perfection of Divine Power? Manifest for the flourishing of God’s will, in Jesus’ mighty Name._*

 

5. *_O you dream of my divine exaltation, come to reality to benefit God’s Mission, in Jesus’ mighty Name._*

 

6. *_Grace of God, become my currency today: I possess my liberality of Finance Now, in Jesus’ mighty Name._*

 

7. *_O you Great Door of Fulfilment – Open before me; O you Treasure’s Store I possess your master keys, and I shall rise from grace to grace with thanksgiving – by the power of Jesus’ Name._*As God’s Anointed, I humbly prophesy, according to the Word of God, the evil declarations against your life are NOW divinely annulled and defeated, in Jesus’ mighty Name.*_Every plan of the Kingdom of darkness against your soul has perished – forever, in Jesus’ mighty Name._*

 

  *_As for me and my household – including these prayer partners reading, hearing and praying along – we shall serve the living God in sound health, good wealth and prosperity of our souls, in Jesus’ Name!_*

*_I love you, in Jesus’ Name!_*

 

*Amen. God Bless You!*

 

  *Enter To Worship… Depart To Serve!*  

 

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HAVE A VICTORIOUS CHRISTMAS AND A FULFILLING PREPARATION FOR THE NEW YEAR 2025, in Jesus’ Name.