'division' Tagged Posts
Daily Devotions
Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.” vs. 10 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 The news that Paul had gotten from Corinth after his departure was disheartening. Because members of the congregation had come from different cities and had come to faith through the influence…
Daily Devotions
But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” vss. 27-28 Luke 6:27-31 In the gospel of Matthew, following the beatitudes, Jesus tells his disciples that they are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Luke’s version of the beatitudes is similar, but here Jesus’ instructions to the disciples describe more fully what it means to be…
Daily Devotions
Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!” vs. 51 Luke 12:49-53 Not everything that we read in the gospels brings joy to our hearts. Oh, there is much that is beautiful and inspiring, but Luke wasn’t in the business of censoring Jesus. Even when his words were disquieting and disturbing, Luke included them because they were a true reflection of what life in Christ is like. Jesus…
Daily Devotions
For the insolent have risen against me, the ruthless seek my life; they do not set God before them. But surely, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.” vss. 3-4 Psalm 54:1-4 Many are saying that these are the most divisive times they have experienced, and national polls bear that out. Some have become reluctant to share their ideas and opinions with those they do not know–they don’t want to offend, and it’s hard to…
Daily Devotions
Romans 14:1-6 … “Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them.” vss. 2-3 There had been a controversy among believers about the propriety of eating meat that had been offered to idols. (It was readily available in the markets.) Some felt that followers of Jesus should abstain from such food–Paul didn’t…
Daily Devotions: January 24, 2020
January 24, 2020 For full passage click: 1 Corinthians 1:14-18 … “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.” vs. 17 The essence of the Gospel is not related to personality or powerful preaching. In fact, one of the greatest threats to the Good News has been the tendency of gifted speakers to claim it as their…
Daily Devotions: January 23, 2020
January 23, 2020 For full passage click: 1 Corinthians 1:10-16 … For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters.” vs. 11 Paul evidently knew Chloe from the time when he had lived in Corinth. Now he’s been in contact with some of her associates, and he’s been informed of the quarrels that have caused divisions in the congregation he started there. We can still hear the disappointment in…
Daily Devotions: December 8, 2019
December 8, 2019 For full passage click: Matthew 3:7-12 …“But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?’” If John was an Essene, as many scholars presume, and the son of a priest, as Luke attests, he knew the Pharisees and the Sadducees well. They likely represented for him the ruling parties in Jerusalem, the ones who regularly fought for…