welcome to the days in Courage meant from our daily bread Jackson and have title are reading a house undivided
 on June 16th 1858 is the new Lee nominated Republican candidate for the US Senate from Illinois Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous house divided speech which highlighted the tensions between various factions in America regarding slavery it caused a stir among Lincoln's friends and foes Lincoln felt it was important to use the house divided figure of speech was Jesus used in Matthew 12:25 because it was widely known and simply expressed he use this metaphor so it would strike home to the minds of men in order to arouse them to the Peril of the times while a divided house can't stand then Pride opposite can an undivided house stands Unified
 in principle that's what the house of God is designed to be so made up of people from various backgrounds together with been reconciled to God and each other through Jesus death on the cross in view of this truth Paul in Ephesians chapter 4 offers this instruction to Believers in Jesus make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of Peace today when heightened tensions threatened to divide people who are otherwise United such as our families and fellow Believers God can give the wisdom and strength needed to keep Unity with one another through the help of the spirit this will cause us to be light in a dark divided world
 today's our daily bread devotional scripture reading is from Ephesians chapter 2 verses 17 to 22
 came and preached peace to you who are far away and peace to those who were near for through him we both have access to the father by one Spirit consequently you're no longer foreigners and strangers the fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household build on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the Chief Cornerstone in him the whole building is joined together in Rises to become a holy Temple in the Lord and in him you two are being built together to become a dwelling in which God Lives by his spirit
 shall we pray Jesus please grant us wisdom courage and strength to live in ways that demonstrate reconciliation with all people thank you Lord it's in your name we pray amen
 thanks for listening today my name is Arthur Jackson and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries