11/16/2023 0 Comments What Is Our Role?We are called to forgive others and walk alongside of them. There is a mercy we need to show each other, and an obligation to provide justice at the same time. I was once told “You cannot look down on someone and look up toward God at the same time.”
Questions for further thought: 1. Describe a time when someone helped you with your burdens. 2. How did that assistance make you feel? Challenge: Whose burden is God calling you to carry?
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The early church had their share of disagreements. The scriptures show two such instances. Paul and Barnabas had an argument over personnel for their next mission trip. In another story, the Greek-speaking believers felt like they did not get their fair share of assistance from the Hebrew-speaking believers and spoke up. The 12 apostles (all Hebrew) decided to delegate to a committee of seven Greek leaders. Both times the Church grew!
Questions for further thought: 1. Name a time when a disagreement worked out for the better? 2. Did it change your view of the situation? How? Challenge: Reach out to someone who can help advise you on a conflict. 11/14/2023 0 Comments What If They Are Wrong?Some political positions are not Biblical. How do approach the topic? There are many options. You could try to correct them. You could debate them. You can just ignore them and let it go. Depending on the situation, Jesus did each of these things.
Questions for further thought: 1. Name a situation where correction is the best approach? 2. Name a situation where ignoring is the best approach? Challenge: In these situations, it takes wisdom to know how to approach them. Ask God to provide wisdom when you need it. 11/13/2023 0 Comments Which Side Does God Want Me to Take?Politics is a one vs. another system. Either a Republican or a Democrat will control the government. They often have either a conservative worldview or a progressive worldview. Paul speaks about living under two laws, but still obeying the law of Christ.
Questions for further thought: 1. What traits of a conservative worldview would Jesus endorse? 2. What traits of a progressive worldview would Jesus endorse? Challenge: Think about what conservative traits and what progressive traits you can develop as you grow closer to Christ. 11/10/2023 0 Comments Common GroundIt is inevitable that disagreements will pop up from time to time. If we are able to agree on something, even a small point, it will help us to see the other person or group as less of a threat. The apostles disagreed and could still call each other "brother" because they shared a common goal. Remembering our common goals and dreams can motivate us to treat each other with love and respect.
Questions for further thought: 1. Are you good at finding common ground with those whom you disagree? 2. How could you cultivate that talent? Challenge: It is a gift to be able to find common ground in the midst of disagreement. Pray for the wisdom and ability to find ways to be a peacemaker. Find someone in your life who has this talent and learn from them. 11/9/2023 0 Comments Be GraciousIt is best to be courteous, kind and gentle in our interactions with others, even when there is strong disagreement and even when we feel hurt by other's behavior. Disagreements often don't escalate when people act graciously toward one another. There may not be immediate resolution, but when both parties restrain from hostility, the chances of sharing ideas and listening to each other increases.
Questions for further thought: 1. Can you disagree without being disagreeable? 2. Are you able to listen to ideas opposing your own? Challenge: Listening to viewpoints that differ from your own can be difficult, but is a necessary step in understanding and moving forward in unity. Pray for the strength and wisdom to listen with grace and humbleness as Paul suggests in Ephesians. 11/8/2023 0 Comments Choose Your BattlesJesus, as Luke describes, gives the perfect example of how to choose your battles. The Pharisees weren't interested in solving anything and Jesus knew it. Rather than answer their meaningless question, designed to trap Him, He posed a question of His own. His question could not be answered by the Pharisees without condemning themselves. Jesus chose to not answer a question that would not be beneficial to anyone.
Questions for further thought: 1. Have you ever been in a situation that you felt trapped to provide an answer? 2. Could the solution have been to remain silent? Challenge: Jesus was smart to remain silent since the Pharisees motive was not to cause unity but to sew division. The lesson here is to not speak unless there is hope of moving towards harmony and progress. 11/7/2023 0 Comments Walk AwayWe are to avoid arguments that generate strife. Throughout the Bible we are told not to engage in these kind of disagreements. On biblical doctrine in which there is but one right answer, the Bible does not tell us to force the truth on others who have not had their eyes opened to the truth. To do this usually results in hurt feelings, scarred relationships, and really nothing being solved.
Questions for further thought: 1. Do you witness to others by shaming them? 2. Do you witness to others by showing them? Challenge: No one is attracted to someone who shoves ideas down our throats. Most times it is better to model behavior rather than mandating it. Debate topics that are worthy of debate. 11/6/2023 0 Comments UnityOn the night before His crucifixion, Jesus broke bread with His disciples and before He offered up His body to be broken, He prayed for the unity of all believers , so that the world may know. This is to be the outcome of unity in the church: that the world may know the truth of the Gospel by our love for Jesus, for each other as believers, and for all who may not yet know the truth. However, if we constantly display disunity, our testimony is invalid. We cannot display loving unity as God and Jesus do, while at the same time showing to all that we cannot or will not agree.
Questions for further thought: 1. Is your testimony one of attractive unity? 2. If not, how will you change? Challenge: If you are a people (church) that always seem to be at odds with one another, you will never be attractive to an unbelieving world. Work towards unity by applying some of the Biblical principles that we will discuss this week. 11/3/2023 0 Comments Belonging to Christ's BodyBelonging to something bigger than yourself brings an incredible amount of joy. Human beings are always looking for a group to feel connected with that has a common goal. This phenomenon is apparent in situations as light as fans at a football game or as serious as an Army platoon completing an operation. Individuals living isolated lives tend to be less fulfilled. When Christians embrace being a part of Christ’s body (the Church) and work together to further His Kingdom, we can experience the joy of belonging and fulfilling our purpose.
Questions for further thought: 1. How can you be more connected to other believers? 2. What does it mean to “have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had?” (v. 5) Challenge: Of course, it’s easier to just stay home, but next time there is an event, group, or project happening within the Church that pulls on your spirit, go. People don’t regret being too involved with others; they usually regret sitting on the sidelines and being disconnected. |
AuthorThis devotional is written every week by Hillcrest members. Archives
May 2024
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