Beyond Pettiness

Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;

so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
Proverbs 17:14

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments,
because you know they produce quarrels.
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome
but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
2 Timothy 2:23-24

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What is it in the human psyche that compels us to pursue a matter straight into the heart of a conflict? Do we just enjoy a good fight? For some reason, we frequently feel we must establish truth - as we see it - in even the most petty of disagreements. We often value our opinions more than we value our relationships.

Why is that? What so captures our indignation that we will sacrifice friendships and feelings over something that just isn't worth it? Blessed are those who do not have a contentious spirit within them, but most people at some time or another have struggled with one. It is human nature. We feel offended when people disagree with us, and we are bent on establishing who is right and wrong. Even when there is no right and wrong.

Does this mean there's no place for conflict? Obviously not. We are called to stand up for what is morally and spiritually right - to a point. Even Jesus was no stranger to conflict, and He is our model. But we must develop the discernment to know what is worth fighting for and what is not. Most of us find ourselves frequently confused on the issue.

When you sense a conflict escalating, what is your response? Do you take it as a challenge to win? Or can you step back and assess whether it is really worth fighting for? Broken relationships are no pleasure to God. He even inspires the writer to call a quarrel “sin” a few verses later (Proverbs 17:19). Petty squabbles once begun are hard to stop. They do not suit a child of God.

Learn to practice a discipline of restraint. Do not run from an important issue, but do not pursue a pointless one. Let relationships become more important to you than petty proofs and problems. God has done so with us. We must do so with others.

“I have never yet known the Spirit of God to work where the Lord's people were divided.”

- D. L. Moody

[An excerpt from "The One Year Walk with God Devotional" by Chris Tiegreen]

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"On days when Joy seems a distant memory, you need to seek My Face more than ever. Don’t let circumstances or feelings weigh you down. Instead, tell yourself the ultimate truth: I am continually with you, holding you by your right hand. I guide you with My counsel, and afterward I will receive you into Glory. As you make your way through the debris of this broken world, hold onto these truths with all your might. Remember that I Myself am the Truth. Cling to Me; follow Me, for I am also the Way. The Light of My Presence is shining on you, illumining the path before you."

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever." - John 14:16

- "Jesus Always" by Sarah Young

Scripture: Proverbs 3:27

 

Prayer: Author and Finisher of My Faith

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; 

Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; 

Do not forsake the works of Your hands.  

Psalm 138:8

Daily I walk along the path of choosing. Decisions of life and death constantly before me. My choices will either draw me to you or lead me away. Each day I will declare that you are my God and nothing, not even my own selfish desires, will rule my life.

I fall into your arms. Not because I'm weary or defeated, but because I know you are my only hope. You don't want me to strive and take control. You only ask that I rest in you and release every care.

Without you, I'm nothing. Though my mind seeks to know the outcome of every situation, I will trust you. Your love has never failed me. I don't need to understand all of your plans, I only need to believe that they are good. You are the Author and Finisher of my faith. Every one of your faithful promises will come to pass. You will finish the work you've started in me.

Excerpt from "Prayers on Fire: Praying the Psalms" by Brian Simmons

Growing in Christ

Growing In Christ - Appetite

Growing in Christ is a life-long journey where every experience along the way offers to enrich us. We are given opportunities to grow, to develop a Christ-like nature that coincides with that of our Heavenly Father. God created our innermost being in a fearful and wonderful fashion. As God shaped us, we were given the deposit of divine life (Psalm 139:13-16). Either we try to make ourselves grow in holiness and fail miserably, or we must yield and cooperate with the glorious intentions of God. “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).

Growing In Christ
When we first acknowledge Jesus Christ as our Savior, we become reborn. As with all newborns, our desire for nourishment becomes fervent and frequent. An infant’s piercing cries display a hunger that must be immediately satisfied. As Christians, we also should desire God’s Word so that we may grow up. “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk so that you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:2).

The goodness of God cannot be tasted in a cursory manner. We must see, hear, and touch; to truly taste the graciousness of Christ. The prophet Jeremiah understood the importance of making God’s Word part of his life by digesting and assimilating every morsel. “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight...” (Jeremiah 15:16). In growing, we learn that nothing is more agreeable to our soul and spirit than Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life. As we profess Jesus to be our Lord and Savior, we take Him into every relationship and in every capacity in which we act, including our appetite for Him.

David took great pleasure in the Word of God. Having a spiritual taste to read the Bible daily reflects an inner savor and relish of divine things. “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103). Often people associate “diet” with reducing their entire intake of food. Diet is not simply about eating less; it is about conscientiously ingesting more of the right things - less artificial, superficial; more authentic, i.e. the Truth.

It is in the Word of Truth that we grow and are nourished by the Lord. The spiritual food that we receive is then at home in us and remains as He is in us (John 15:7). Soon, we discover that God’s promises are there for us, ready to give energy to our entire being.