I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1'3 WEB.By the look on his face, I could see that we were making a lasting impression on the visiting evangelist. Some of the praise and worship team at the front of the church were now arguing loudly with the sound crew who were at the back of the church, while the evangelist sat on the front row between them and looked at the spectacle in puzzled amazement. It was another heated discussion about the monitor mix. As I slowly sank lower behind my keyboard, the Holy Spirit quietly left the building.
What followed was one of the driest church services I have ever sat through. I felt sorry for the speaker as he labored to bring his message later. The praise team should have ushered in the Spirit of God and set the atmosphere, but we were too busy fighting amongst ourselves to notice that He had left. Our attitude mattered more to Him than the chords we played, more than the words we sang.
God does not like it when His children argue, and He wants us to live in unity and peace with one another (Psalm 133:1). Paul wrote: "Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?" (1 Corinthians 6:7) and "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 4:30). We certainly grieved Him that day. When someone else is having a bad day, it does not give us the freedom to mirror them, and it always takes two or more to argue.
It is easy to get offended in church and nurse those hurts like a dear old friend. Eventually, everything that person does or says becomes negative to you, and it begins to poison your spiritual life. Even a simple word from them can cause an explosion as the volcano of bitterness inside you erupts.
Strive to maintain peace. Blessed are the peacemakers. Learn to bite your tongue and keep your livid thoughts to yourself. Don't be so important in your own eyes that you can't overlook another's weakness. Don't let a small thing become a big thing. It's not about Me, Myself, and I, but about us. We all make up the body of Christ. Can't we just get along?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me shake off the hurts, rejections, and offenses I encounter. Deliver me from the negativity and cleanse me from any bitterness in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!Note: FAAD group members (Fight Against Anxiety & Depression) today is"Feel Good Friday!". This event is about lifting up each other up! We all have times when we are weak, but together, we can get through it! We invite you to share anything that may have prompted a good feeling in your heart today. Even if you're having a bad day, perhaps look to encouraging scriptures, prayers or thoughts, and testimonies of God's work. Whether you are suffering from anxiety or depression or just want to help, all are welcome to join!:
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Yes please Lord Jesus, amen.
Amen
Yes indeed!!! Amen!!!
Amen!
Amen
Amen. I pray this in my marriage in Jesus Name.
AMEN. Heavenly Father, Please bless us all with peace &goodwill. I Thank you for blessing me. AMEN
Please help me Lord to not get so angry when I'm offended. In Lord Yeshua's name I ask this ,Amen.
Thank you Bro. Dion for this prayer today for All who said it and agree with this prayer. In today's time, we all need the Lords guidance and protection. Help us Heavenly Father in your son's name Jesus, Amen
Amen Good Morning Everyone
Amen,praise Jesus Christ our Lord and savior.
Amen!!
I needed this message today, thank you Pastor Dion! Heavenly Father, please help me shake off the hurts, rejections, and offenses I encounter. Deliver me from the negativity and cleanse me from any bitterness in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Amen , Glory to God ! God bless everyone .!!!
I am so grateful for these daily devotionals and for Pastor Dion. I feel God speaking to me in these devotionals as if they are specifically for me.
Dear Heavenly Father I humbly ask You to control my emotions when there is a situation that we get involved with. Lead us to understand that is better to show how Your love work in us. I pray this In Jesus Christ name, Amen.
Thank you Pastor and Sylvia, this devotional show us how love and peace works in any situation we encounter. God bless you both, Amen.
Yes this is a tough issue. I'm hurt easily which is a shortcoming I've prayed about many times. Strengthen me dear God Amen
Amen
Excellent teaching, Pastor Dion!
Praise God. Amen!
Amen!
Thanks for the devotional. I read the last paragraphy about peace. Blessed are the peacemakers. I try not to "stick foot in mouth" I am content most of the time. I enjoy the small things I keep it simple...I go slow...I need to be sure of myself. I started fasting about that today and about another issue. so far, God is with me and so is my fiance' I am happy to be the body of Christ.
Thank you Dear LORD for helping me to think positive most of the time. When I am negative, I recognize it, walk away, and talk about it to get me back to thinking positive. You are my great Physician. Please continue to help me with what I am going through at the present time. I love you LORD in Your name I pray, Amen
Amen, Lord Jesus!
Amen. Sometimes it's hard to turn the other cheek, but when we do we are blessed for it! May we all find peace with each other and in our own lives.
Todays message is such a great and needed message. We are all human and we all make mistakes even us Christians that love the Lord dearly. Sometimes our anger gets the better of us and we lose it. I am pretty sure we are all guilty of this at least once in our lives. As humans we also have a tendency to judges other people and this can certainly lead to problems. Lord, God please help your people, who you love, to try to stay neutral and not get involved in name calling or fights with the other people in the body of Christ. We are called to respect and Love each other as ourselves so why are we fighting. Help us Father to overlook hurtful comments from other people and walk away, or give a kind word to someone that is acting offensive. In the mighty name of Jesus I Pray!