Daily Devotional
How Do You Handle Conflict?
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”
1 John 3:16-18
February 29, 2024
Ponder This
When considering reconciliation within the Church, the first thing you need to do is to consider your relationship with the person who has sinned against you. He or she is your brother or sister. This is somebody that has come out of the womb of grace, somebody who, along with you, calls God Father. And you must consider that relationship even when you are at odds with that person. You may argue, “Maybe he’s not a brother. Maybe he’s never really been saved. Maybe he just has his name on a church roll.” Well, if he’s not a brother, then he’s lost and he’s blind, and he deserves the pursuit of God in unity and prayer even more because he needs to be reconciled to God. But if he is a brother, then to harm him is to harm yourself because you’re both spiritual siblings and members of the same body.
- How do you treat people when you feel at odds with them? Does that reflect Christ? Why or why not?
- Why do you think we often abandon a loving response when we start to have conflict with others?
Practice This
Express love to someone with whom you have had difficulty.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
