Since arriving at Alcovy Mountain Baptist Church in December, I've continued to pray for our church to be of one heart and one mind. I had sensed that it was important. No, scratch that. I had sensed that it was CRITICAL that we not give in to the sin of division. Satan is well aware that a unified church is very dangerous to his plans, so he spares no expense in trying to stir up people against one another. A quiet conversation between two or three people centered on the things we don't like about another person can lead to tribes developing within the body of Christ. Once that happens, division is complete. Now the tribes begin seeking power for their own side only to realize too late that no matter who wins, everyone loses.  Jesus prayed in John 17:20-23 that we, as His followers, would be ONE as He and the Father are ONE.  That's an extremely tall order that can't be accomplished if ANY of us are seeking our own will.

This problem is as old as the church. Paul dealt with it in Phil. 4:2-3. He implored two women named Syntyche and Euodia to stop being divided. Their battle was hurting the church. We deal with the same things today. A person that feels they aren't given enough status or prestige in a church might seek to leave and take as many people with him as possible. While that person may feel justified in his actions, the result is division, a grievous sin against God and His church. 

Friends, God is working at Alcovy Mountain Baptist Church and the only way for Satan to stop that is to convince this body to war against itself. When you see someone "stirring things up", recognize that as Satan's work and refuse to take part. God has called us all to a higher purpose. God has called us to be of the same mind. God has called us to be ONE with each other for the Glory of God and the salvation of the world around us. Please pray with me this week that God would place a shield around our church body and protect us from any who would seek to separate us from each other. 

Love you all,

Pastor Clark