STRIFE
STRIFE WORTH CONSIDERING, 4/23/19 (On my desk this morning.)
Today’s Scripture
“It is an honor for a man to cease from strife…”(Proverbs 20:3, AMPC)
A Mark of Honor
If we realized the destructive force that strife is, we would be more careful to not allow it into our relationships. It can creep into relationships by starting small, maybe through a comment or a wrong look from someone, and can then escalate into something much bigger. When we let our guard down and say things that are disrespectful, hurtful or demeaning, we’re not just damaging our relationship, we’re inviting the destructive spirit of strife into that relationship. But when you choose to cease from strife and overlook an offense, you are acting honorably and honoring God. How do you avoid strife? The Bible tells us that love covers over many offenses. Love stops strife. It means that you give people the benefit of the doubt. You consider what they may be going through instead of focusing on how they reacted to you. Maybe someone was short with you at the office, but they may have a loved one in the hospital. Instead of getting upset, walk in love—be patient and kind to them. Look for ways to walk in peace with the people in your life and put an end to strife!
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for Your hand of victory in my life. Give me the wisdom and courage I need to walk away from strife so I can focus on the destiny You have prepared for me. I love You and bless You in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
My Comments,
Strife usually goes hand and hand with Stress and Anger. Jesus taught it was OK to get angry but not to get into sin about it. I have been told on good authority that getting into a strife/stress adrenaline mode for just 5 minutes shuts down our immune system for about 24 hours. And of course if we react in kind, our reaction is usually destructive to some degree in the relationship. In fact in Kentucky, where I grew up, feuds could last for generations. And to the place where no one could remember how it started. Yesterday I was talking to a young man that went into a big adrenaline rage over something that had happened a long time ago. I explained to him that he was wasting his life over something that could not be fixed. You can not fix yesterday you can only trust GOD with it and find peace in the fact that GOD will bring a valid judgment to every wrong. But that the time has past and will not return. So why give more time to be destroyed. Life is a precious gift, every day if we will live only in the day. Not in the yesterdays or tomorrows but make today count for eternity. To do justly, to love mercy, and walk humbly with thy GOD, Micah 6:8
When I was a little boy of about 8 and bored and broke in my home town of Frankfort I found my Uncle Frank sitting on a stone wall in front of the Old State Capital Building. I set down with him and we talked for a while and out of no where he pulled out a 50 cent piece and gave it to me. In 1940 that was a lot of money, you could go to the show, have popcorn and ice cream for $25 cents. Of course as all of us do, eventually he passed away. But I sure hope he made it into GOD’s Kingdom as I want to thank him again for that .50 piece on the warm sunny afternoon in Frankfort when he loved me so well. LOVE is what GOD is trying to teach us. Love for ourselves, love for others and love for HIM. As HIS new kingdom will be totally saturated with love, humility, obedience and righteousness. We have been given a life time on planet earth in this temporary dimension of time to discover how to live in that coming kingdom, if we want to. So what kind of memories are you making? The Great Creator has not given up on wanting to make us in HIS image but HE needs our Faith and Permission in order for the restoration to be real. HE want to restore us to HIS original design prior to Adam’s pride and rebellion and defection. Christ Jesus came to make that a possibility. The ticket has already been paid in full. All that is needed is for you to decide, with your heart, to get on board, Rom.10:9-10. Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy, Ken<><
www.Trinity-Aloha.org (Past Issues of “Worth Considering” are available as a link on this Home Page.) This Friday 4/26 House Church Gathering at 6 PM 85-4554 Mamalahoa Hwy. So. Capt. Cook, HI 96704…. Pot Blessing…..
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