Connections

  "Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless." 

- 1 Peter 3:8 MSG

        The enemy loves ruining God connections because he knows how powerful those connections would be if they were fully realized. The enemy often realizes a God connection before we do. This is one reason we should practice forgiveness. When we allow love to fill our lives the Lord is able to restore what the enemy tried to destroy. The enemy usually gets his hits in first because he's been scheming behind the scenes. The only way the enemy wins is if we choose bitterness, resentment and a judgmental attitude. But if we allow love to rule and reign - if we give second chances - God will fulfill what He intended.

     You see, the enemy knows it takes connections, it takes unity, it takes a healthy thriving church body to walk in fullness. The enemy is always looking for opportunities to to cause division.  He's always lying, scheming and desperately trying to destroy relationships, but he can't win unless we allow our hearts to harden.
      "I have a serious concern to bring up with you, my friends, using the authority of Jesus, our Master. I’ll put it as urgently as I can: You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common." - 2  Corinthians 1:10 MSG

    When we allow love to cover the sins of our brothers and sisters -  realizing it's the enemy's goal to cause division, we stop his evil plans. What can the enemy do to a forgiving community? He can't stop restoration when we allow God to heal our hurt.  
      "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." - Ephesians 4:1-6 NIV

        I encourage you as I encourage myself, to always see past the obvious, past what the enemy may be trying to do and see what God's plan may have been. Then, forgive! God is a restoring God. It's our own sinful nature and hurt that stop His plans and the enemy knows this. If we settle in our hearts to be quick to forgive, quick to cover, quick to give out second chances, quick to love those who hurt us there is no limit to what God can do.
      "Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you." - 2 Corinthians 13:11 NIV