Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "Learning to Fly!" for Sunday, 1 June 2014 - Read Ephesians 4:1-8

Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "Learning to Fly!" for Sunday, 1 June 2014 - Read Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love; 3 being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all. 7 But to each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Therefore he says, “When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.”[a]
Footnotes:
a. Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
There is one body and one Spirit . . . one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.(Ephesians 4:4-6 (NRSV))
Every year, my husband and I watch purple martins nest in our backyard. We enjoy watching the parents busily feed their new babies. One evening, a flock of purple martins was flying all around our yard, crying out excitedly. The adult birds were flying with a small baby bird in their midst! Some would fly above and in front of the baby urging the baby on, while the others would fly behind and below. I soon realized I was witnessing a baby purple martin learning to fly! The baby bird had emerged from life in a dark nest. Now, with the help of the flock, it was flying into a bright, beautiful, and new world. The whole flock seemed to be dancing in the sky, celebrating the event with joy. As new Christians emerge from the darkness of unbelief into a new life of faith in the body of Christ, brothers and sisters in the faith can become like that flock of birds — lifting new Christians up, urging them on, and encouraging them in the faith. We can celebrate their faith journey with joy because we know these new Christians will experience a relationship with God and feel God’s limitless love.
The Author: Ramona Barr (Texas, USA)
Thought for the Day: How can I help new Christians in their faith journey?
Prayer: Dear God, inspire us through the help of your Holy Spirit to encourage our brothers and sisters in the faith as we celebrate with joy our relationship with you. Amen.

Prayer focus: New Christians
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