Mark 3:25 - Stand Together

Step 1: Pray. Select.  

Today was the first day in over a month I wasn't able to complete my prayer time prior to starting my day. In fact, I am now writing in the evening, after dinner, and hope the Lord can help me pick up where we left off earlier.

When I woke this morning, the words, "a house divided cannot stand" were ruminating in my mind over and over again. I decided to pray over Mark 3:25 today as the Holy Spirit clearly has a message he was trying to convey.

Step 2: Write. Read. Circle

Mark 3:25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:

• A House

• Against Itself

• Cannot Stand

Step 3: Re-Write

With a focus on the words that stood out, here is the personalized sentence(s) placed upon my heart:

• Jennifer, a house against itself, cannot stand.

Step 4: Visualize

As I meditate on the words the Holy Spirit gave me, I look up from my keyboard and take notice of the view of my backyard through the large sliding glass doors. An incredibly sturdy and lush tree is lit up in all its majesty by the solar flood light shining upward from the base. I have seen this tree a thousand times, but tonight, I notice the branches extending upward from the thick, strong trunk. I notice how each of them twists and turns perfectly to create a sizeable round umbrella of leaves that shade our yard year-round.

Funny, even though they are unique and have a different way of expressing themselves through their curvature, I never noticed the beautiful balance that stems from the trunk prior.

The Holy Spirit is prompting me to notice that while we can extend and reach new heights individually, it is essential to be grounded in Christ. We are not caged in or held captive to the body; we are merely an extension with an assignment to take what we receive from the trunk and grow more branches and leaves. The tree and its many branches and leaves emulate true discipleship.

The trunk has been tried and tested through different weather, elements, and soil conditions over many years, yet here it stands. Supporting its branches with anything it needs.

It is an essential message for the church or any level of discipleship: although we venture out on our own, we cannot divide or separate ourselves from the word and the gospel.

I repeat, "A house against itself cannot stand."

It's funny, as I look at each branch, thick and thin, I realize that if any tried to jump away from the tree or broke off, it would fall and not be able to stand on its own.

Holy Spirit tells me that even though others are on a different path or have different views or perspectives, we must not separate when presented with conflicting ideologies. We must remain sturdy, steadfast, and unmovable, which can only happen if we are attached to the trunk.

I think about meaningless arguments we have with family, loved ones, friends, etc., and how most if not all, arguments are when we forget we belong to the same trunk. We are all valuable, providing balance and reflecting the roots below where we cannot see. We would hold on a little tighter to the principles or the nutrients the trunk provides, and in turn, when we focus on the core, we realize we are all a part of one beautiful body. If we divide, we essentially are killing ourselves by our own account.

Friends, in tough times, the Holy Spirit is asking me to take a closer look at my circumstances to be reminded that the family member, the friend, the loved one, or anyone else we encounter is cut from the same cloth. If I have quarrels with other branches, the answer is not to cut off from the tree trunk but to lean in more and pull from the trunk's nutrients, which it provides from the roots, allowing me to expand and extend my knowledge like never before.

Step 5: Ask. Seek

The words that came to mind were:

• Holy Spirit, sometimes it is easier to isolate to keep peace, but in the long run, I realize this is dangerous because I may not be able to stand firm in a windstorm. What can I do today to shift this flawed perspective so I remain in the community even through times of turmoil?

Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive

"It is not easier to isolate. It is more complicated since you are vulnerable to the enemy's lies when you are alone. A small situation or simple hurdle can turn into an overwhelming mountain when you are tired or weak and a storm suddenly comes. Your Father warns in Genesis 2:18:The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. Stay in the body, especially in tough times, even though you may feel vulnerable. If you stay connected, you can be reminded by others who have gone before you, like Jesus has, of your path in alignment with the Father's will. When you are off track, they can help you grow in the right direction to benefit the group. It may not always be easy to live intertwined with others; however, the trunk must continue to reach and extend to the light through each branch to survive in the soil conditions in this world. Stay sturdy in the word, don't divide from the trunk and other branches rooted in the same soil as you, and reach for the light to continue to give back to the very thing giving so much to you."

"Step 7: Pray. Confirm

Holy Spirit help me stay connected even when I want to isolate. Please help me focus on the light while pulling from your word daily, even when times are tough. Please give me the wisdom and discernment to recognize that in the heat of the fire, we are one body and there to support one another through any circumstance.

Father God, thank you for allowing me to be a part of the body of Christ Jesus and my wonderful family, friends, and loved ones. Thank you for making others so I am not alone. Amen!

If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.

Step 8: Share. Testify

If you workshopped any of the verses mentioned above using the 8-Step Prayer Practice, we would love to hear from you in the comments below about what the Holy Spirit showed or spoke to you today.

Don't forget to Spread hope and share HERE if you have a miracle or testimony. We want to see how God is working in your life!

Conclusion:

Stay connected to your roots.

Don't try to stand alone; you will most likely fall victim to the storms of life.

Being connected doesn't mean you are confined.

Be grateful for the love of the Father, always knowing what is best and creating others to get through life's challenges together.

God bless you all today! Take care of each other since we are all one body.

See you tomorrow, friends!