But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.
Ephesians 2:13-14 (ESV)

Reflections: Our county has a lot of churches. On Saturdays and Sundays we have people gathering in a place to give honor to God. Some Churches have upbeat music and some have beautiful a capella singing. Many places have more traditional structures, yet some meet in store front buildings - even some homes. Despite all the differences in style and historical heritages we all have one thing in common… God.

God created his church to commune with him and each other. Paul wrote to Israel and the Gentiles to show how now through Jesus’ death and resurrection we have no more barriers between Jews and Gentile. You could not have two more opposite ways to worship than a person with little to no knowledge of the God of Israel and the people of God. One was steeped in tradition and ordinances and the other totally immersed in the world now with a fresh set of eyes seeing God working in all new ways.

When I first started attending church I always thought I could never teach or preach because of my learning disabilities or lack of training. If I would have stayed with that mentality I would have never stepped out in faith to be a pastor. The “us and them” way of thinking was not uniting God's people.

Despite our many denominations, histories, and even interpretations of scripture, it would be hard to deny that God would not want us to divide the people who call ourselves followers. God is always calling his children to Himself.

Let’s remember that when we gather together, or in our separate houses of worship, that we gather to worship God - not a movement, style or denomination. The greatest shepherd is calling his sheep all together as one flock.

Challenge: Even though God made each one of us unique he desires his children to be together.

Discussion:
1. How many friends or acquaintances do you have that go to different types of churches?

2. Do you identify yourself to others as a Christian or do you identify yourself with a denomination or specific church more?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, let your children be the example of ones that unify to an ever dividing world. Let us show how love can see through the fog of differences to see the most basic of needs and that is You, Father. Amen.
________________
Bio: Quenton Wells is a Granbury native. He and his wife grew up in Granbury and dated in high school where they both graduated. After high school they moved off to attend collage only to move back and raise their daughter in their home town. Quenton started ministering at Granbury Baptist Church in 2008. In 2013 Granbury Baptist started a new church in Cresson in the old First Baptist building and renamed it Red Door where Quenton was named as the Pastor. Of all the great things happening with Red Door, the most exciting has to be starting Celebrate Recovery in 2015.