Scripture for Tuesday, December 20 (12/20

The scripture for today, December 20, is 2nd Corinthians 12:20b as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-cover-kindle-new-medium“…. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.”

It can happen among well-meaning people trying to accomplish the same good work but from a different angle. Do we insist our way is the best way, and people will be lost if the committee/congregation doesn’t do things our way? Do we then get hurt and think (or say) everyone else doesn’t love the lost like we do? Then are we tempted to just drop out?

A good test when personalities clash is to ask ourselves, “Would this congregation survive without me?” Of course, it would. It did before we came and would after.

A good solution: If our heart is set on a certain good work, but no one else’s heart is, do what we can alone. We don’t need a committee to follow our heart.

Let us prefer one another, honor one another, and love one another. We are family ~ God’s family.

#Quarrels, #Jealousy, #Ego, #Temper, #Heart, #GoodWorks

Scripture for Monday, December 19 (12/19)

The Scripture for today, December 19, is Romans 12:19 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

inside-cover-medium“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

Thank God he took away the old Law of Moses and gave us the new Law of Jesus Christ instead. Under the Law of Moses, they often had to take revenge themselves. They had to stone adulterers and children who were disrespectful to their parents. If someone killed a relative, they were obligated to go out and kill that person. If someone knocked the eye or tooth out of a relative, they were obligated to go out and take that person’s eye or tooth.

Now God says forgive and do good to your enemy (verse 20-21). That’s what God did to us ~ we who once were his enemies as sinners. As we are merciful to others, he is merciful to us. 

Forgiveness is not condoning evil, but wishing the best for whoever did something bad to you. Hard to do? Indeed! But, with God, anything is possible. So, let go of it. Let go of them. Let God take care of it. He has released you of that burden. Released you to “overcome evil with good”. 

#Vengence, #Revenge, #Vendetta, #Resentment, #Hatred, #Ego, #Forgiveness, #Love