Month: August 2022

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil, or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3:8).

*Insight*

During the NFL’s 2013 season, Ritchie Incognito and Jonathan Martin has every reason as teammates to be friends, but they weren’t. Incognito constantly harassed and bullied Martin. He even threatened to kill Martin and his family. Incognito claimed it was just locker room talk —and was typical in the NFL. But it was too much for Martin, who quit the team citing emotional issues and fearing for his life. Martin admits he had some culpability as well in the issue, saying he was far too passive in dealing with Incognito’s threatening behavior.

Consider all these reasons these two men had to be friends. Both were NFL football players, on the same team, with the same coach. Both were starters and wanted to win. Both were millionaires. Yet, somewhere along the way, they forgot they were on the same team.

In much the same way, Christians of all stripes have many more reasons to honor one another than to dishonor one another. Both have the same owner, the same Savior, the same Spirit living inside them. The same playbook, the Holy Bible to draw from, and the same enemy who daily battles against them.

AS believers in Christ, our similarities are far greater than our differences. So we have a choice today, to be a force for unity in the body of Christ. As far as it depends on us, pursue peace with all men (Romans 12:18) by working with others to accomplish the greater work of salvation for the lost, and bringing glory to God our Father, through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father God, help us to accomplish what You have already ordained for us to accomplish and do. Let us with all our hearts work as unto You and not unto men, while bringing You further glory by working together in unity with the body of believers You have brought together.

In Jesus name, Amen

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we do not look at the things which seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”   (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

*Insight*

The best way to tackle an obstacle is to see it as an opportunity. And through Christ, that’s what everything you and I face really is — an opportunity to grow in your faith, an opportunity to impact others for eternity, and an opportunity to experience God’s presence be renewed in an increasing way through His love for you. Think of all the obstacles we read in the Scriptures that stood in the way of men and women of faith that were turned into opportunities for God to be glorified and His people blessed. Joseph’s betrayal and imprisonment in Egypt led to the salvation of the Hebrew people from famine. Queen Esther going before the king, an act that could have cost her life; to save her Jewish people from extermination at the hands of evil Haman. And King David’s years of running from Saul led to some of the most powerful and encouraging Psalms in the Bible. And ultimately, there is Jesus’ death for us on the cross which became our victory No matter if it’s an illness, a loss of a loved one, or job loss? Take your eyes off the trial you’re going through and fix them on the One who can turn anything in this life into a triumph to those whose faith and trust is in Christ. When you see yourselves with God’s eternal perspective, you realize there really are no obstacles He can’t overcome! And our lives are in Him.

Prayer: Lord give us Your perspective about our lives and strengthen us to keep our eyes and gaze fixed on Jesus no matter what trials comes our way. Amen.