The price you pay for the unity that I seek is nothing compared to what you will lose if you refuse to seek and find such unity. (ML 3452:25)

I'm talking about a bond between us that is so strong that nothing will be able to separate us! I'm talking about a love that is so personal that it weeps, it aches, it feels when your loved one is in need or in trouble or being tested and tempted by the Enemy. I'm talking about a desire for another's happiness that is so real that you're willing to sacrifice your own personal preferences or desires or privacy because you want to see your brethren, your family, your loved one, happy. I'm talking about a love that is so rich and warm, so alive, that you who have personal, private relationships are moved to open your arms, your hearts, your lives, to others.
The kind of unity that brings the blessings of God is hot, vibrant, moving! It's not complacent or lethargic, just taking things as they come‚ ho-hum. It's going on the attack to reach out; to feel what the other person is feeling; to dry their tears; to bear their burdens; to feel their afflictions; to minister to those who are sick and nurse them back to health; to listen with a loving, open ear to those who need to pour out; to be a caring and understanding friend to those who need a friend; to pray for those in need; to let their heartaches be your heartaches; to make their hopes and dreams your hopes and dreams.
The unity that brings down the blessings of God is the kind that says, "My Family, my Family, I know it's right, my Family!" It's the kind that gives the other person the benefit of the doubt, that thinks positively of him or her rather than negatively, and is not critical but understanding and sympathetic.

Love is the key-having love, living love, desiring love, giving love, being loving! You can't do it on your own, but the Lord can do it through you! And in order to have that love-real love, the Lord's love–you have to learn humility.

The kind of love that I'm talking about is the kind that truly prefers the happiness of others to your own–the kind that lays down its life that others may live, the kind that's willing to sacrifice just so life can be a little easier for others. It's not easy; it's the most difficult law the Lord ever gave-the Law of Love. That's the kind of love that the Lord is asking each of you to have, and that's the kind of love that will bring about unity! So don't worry about everyone else‚ and whether or not everyone is doing their part to bring unity. Just ask the Lord to make you more loving-and then sincerely do your best to love‚ and you'll be bringing about unity!

But what is it that makes unity possible? What is it that brings us together and enables us to all strive for the same goals in harmony and unity? It's love-not our own love, which fails and falls short, but God's supernatural love. When we're living in His love‚ we're promoting unity. So the way to make a personal commitment towards living in unity with your mates and brothers and sisters is to make a personal commitment to love-to do the loving thing‚ the humble thing. If you do that, you'll be doing your part to live in unity-and that's what the Lord is asking of you.

My loves, the days are coming when this love and strong trust and brotherhood between you will save your lives, if you have cultivated these things. And if you have not, you will be left wounded and vulnerable. The only way to become practiced and skilled in how to defend yourself with this weapon of love against the Enemy is to begin using it now. Ask Me how you can be more loving. Ask Me to show you the areas in your personal life where selfishness is manifested. Ask Me to speak to you about how you personally can go on the attack to break down the walls that have risen between you and your brethren, how you can manifest more trust, more faith, how you can share more and be a greater support to others.

If I am going to be asking that you stretch yourself in ways that you haven't before, then you should know that with each request I ask, I have something special to give back to you. I may ask you to do something that is very difficult for you to do, but I will never ask something of you without giving you something in return that is worth more or of greater value. If you truly value your lives, then you will find that giving your life completely to Me and to My service is the best investment you could ever make. And when you look at it that way, you will find yourself asking, "What's the big deal anyway? Sure, I can do this for my Husband. He's given so much to me, it's not too much for Him to ask that I give everything of mine in return." As you continue to invest your life, sacrificing what you have in order to further My work, you will find that you have gained riches above what you could ever imagine or ask for.
The immediate return gift I give to My brides who give all and count it worthwhile to live in sacrifice to Me are gifts of happiness, love, satisfaction, fulfillment, and peace. They are brides who find a contentment that is hard to explain. They start doing things "just because." It's just because they love Me, just because they love others, just because they know that there is much more to come.

I know this is far above your natural ability. It's out of your reach to find such love on your own. If you try to do this in your own strength, the arm of the flesh, you'll be disappointed, frustrated, and tire of such labor. But if you call out to Me, simply asking Me for the love you need, and are then willing to put that love into action by faith, I will give you My love in such tremendous volume and power that you will know you have witnessed a miracle!
It takes desperate prayer, a believing spirit, and a willing mind and heart. Then follow this with many small steps of unselfish love, and you will become a new creature. You will think of others, have more concern, and feel for others' needs more readily. You'll be willing to give up your own plans and ideas to care for the weak.

The first thing to do is to realize that what makes Me happy is very different from what you think makes you happy. My joy isn't based on fleeting things that come and go, or your circumstances. My joy is based on the happy future, what will come to be, what potential there is in each situation—in you. My joy is based on the eternal things, on loving and reveling in all the words of Heaven, the joy of My creations‚ the joy of love, and all the other healthy, eternal joys that money can't buy.
Learn to find your joy in these things too, because that's where My joy lies. If you want My joy, ask for it, and ask Me to help you to see the things that are worth smiling about, and that can help to make you feel more carefree. If you base it on how you feel, well, you may not feel very joyful‚ because the Enemy is sure to bring obstacles and worries and condemnation and guilt trips and stress and many other joy–killing tactics so you won't have that special strength that comes from My joy.