by David Scott Robertson
1. Balance
2. Equilibrium
3. Alignment
4. Rhythm
These four words are very important to my Christian life. They are at the forefront of my prayer life these days. I'm asking God to help me grow in these godly qualities in ever increasing measure in my daily life. I need them more than my necessary food. In fact, I'm willing to forego my necessary food for a season (fast) to obtain them, if necessary.
1. GODLY BALANCE
I want the Lord to help me live a balanced life. Jesus pulled it off, so with the help of our Father, why can't I?
"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52).
Jesus Christ was able to balance his growth intellectually, physically, spiritually and socially. I'd like that to be a reality in my life, wouldn't you?
I want to eat a balanced diet. I want my checkbook to be balanced. I want my car tires to be in balance. I want to balance the time I spend at work with the time I spend at home with my family. I don't want to burn out or rust out in ministry. I want there to be a healthy (not necessarily perfect) balance between praise and worship, between prayer and Bible study, between doing the work of the Lord and loving the Lord of the work.
2. GODLY EQUILIBRIUM
Equilibrium is similar to balance but to me it has more to do with the "inner game." It is processing information from the Lord properly to keep things in balance. Spiritual equilibrium assists me in knowing when to accept criticism as valid and when to reject rejection. It helps me distinguish God's voice from the voice of the world, the devil, or even my own self. Equilibrium, in the spiritual sense, helps me sort through "the urgent" as is competes with "the important." It helps me keep the main thing the main thing and live life in the right order (priorities).
In the natural, if you have an "inner ear" problem, then your balance will be negatively affected. You can get dizzy, disoriented, and "off balance" possibly (probably) causing you to experience difficulty doing ordinary things well. In the same way, if you experience "spiritual inner ear problems" you can also easily get "out of balance" and subtly (but assurededly) veer off track a degree or two. This may not sound like much of a problem in the short-term but in the long-term you can suffer harm. If a rocket, for instance, leaving earth is off by only a degree or two from its intended target a million miles away, it will certainly miss it.
The ability to listen and hear God's voice, discern God's will, and then follow through with obedient action is what I call spiritual equilibrium. And I want it.
3. GODLY ALIGNMENT
Alignment to me is super important. It means accepting the responsibilities of being under authority so I can enjoy the benefits of being in authority. I want my body to "line up" under my soul. I want my mind, will, and emotions to "line up" under my spirit. I want my spirit to "line up" with the Holy Spirit of God so that I walk in perfect submission and total obedience en route to maximum fruit. Alignment means I impeached my flesh nature as president of my life and replaced it with Jesus Christ, the King. I substituted a democracy of my own making with the theocracy of the kingdom of God. I am craving the Lord to help me live in perpetual alignment with His will for my life so that I can live long and prosper.
4. GODLY RHYTHM
Finally, there's rhythm. What I'm praying for is for my life to be "in rhythm" or "in sync" with God's plan and timing for my life. The right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing. I don't want to get ahead or lag behind God's timetable for my life. Jesus was never rushed or in a hurry and He never succumbed to feeling frustrated and aggravated because He didn't get what He wanted when He wanted it.
If I can break through to godly rhythm in my life, I guess I will feel like test pilot Chuck Yeager did when he broke through the sound barrier and flew into the history books. I want to "rip a hole in the atmosphere" and get the turbulence behind me instead of in front of me. That, I believe, can be accomplished when we get in the very center of God's will and timing for our lives. We'll find ourselves in the right place at the right time most all the time when we live in this realm.
So there you have it. I may not be able to say it just right, but I do want to be able to pray it right so I can obtain these breakthrough godly qualities and get a little farther down the road in my pursuit of Christ-likeness.
DSR
7/25/04
Sunday, July 25, 2004
Sunday, July 18, 2004
Divine Detour
by David Scott Robertson
I got in my car and turned the key in the ignition and nothing happened. Huh? I had been driving my 1998 Toyota Corolla for YEARS without this happening. Suddenly, without warning, my car battery was dead and it was dark, it was raining, and I didn't have jumper cables.
How could this happen to a fine Christian young man like me? Don't I pay my tithes faithfully? Don't I read my Bible every single day? Don't I try to have a decent prayer time on a regular basis? And now my car battery is dead and I'm stuck. That's makes about as much sense as my getting diarrhea on a missions trip I took to Indonesia one time.
Was God mad at me? Did I slip up and sin along the way and now God is rebuking me through my car? Am I being tested for patience or tempted through frustration?
This impromptu dilemma taught me three valuable lessons about suffering that we may benefit from learning.
1. KEEP THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE
A dead car battery is really not a major deal. It may have been inconvenient but it was not life threatening. Millions of other people have to deal with body parts not functioning properly on a daily basis and all I faced was a minor and temporary problem one rainy night. Look at your problems in light of the bigger picture.
2. GUARD YOUR ATTITUDE
I needed to keep my attitude in check. Kicking the car, throwing my keys, slamming the hood, and grumbling and complaining about the whole deal would be senseless, particularly if anybody saw me acting in such an immature way. In this case, I had to ask others for assistance--something men generally don't like to do! But people watch (and listen to) how we react to the same problems they face. If we can maintain a positive, faith-filled, joyful attitude during a crisis--large or small--we can make a lasting impression that God can capitalize on later.
3. LOOK FOR GOD IN THE "DIVINE DETOUR"
I don't view a dead battery as "God's judgment" unleashed on my life. Rather, situations like this can be approached with a sense of excitement to see what God is up to. I have learned in walking with Jesus for over three decades now that often unexpected problems lead to unexpected pleasures and opportunities. Furthermore, God's Word contains comforting promises that bring balance and hope into the situation like these classic passages:
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way" (Psalm 37:23 KJV).
Knowing these facts from the Bible can alleviate needless stress, activate faith, initiate God's miracle provision, and advance God's plan in and through the Christian's carefully monitored, closely observed, and divinely ordained life.
Back to the dead battery story. All is well and everything worked out fine (according to God's plan).
- I borrowed jumper cables from a man whom I am now going to breakfast with next week.
- I got home without incident and replaced the battery for $20 the next day.
- My dad assisted me in the replacement and we went to lunch afterward for some father/son time.
- The delay may have saved my life from a tragic accident.
- Who knows what trouble the Lord kept me from or what opportunity the Lord is leading me to through this unplanned diversion?
The next time something negative or inconvenient happens to you--large or small--may I encourage you to keep things in perspective, guard your attitude, and look for God's fingerprints in the "divine detour"?
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4).
DSR
7/18/04
I got in my car and turned the key in the ignition and nothing happened. Huh? I had been driving my 1998 Toyota Corolla for YEARS without this happening. Suddenly, without warning, my car battery was dead and it was dark, it was raining, and I didn't have jumper cables.
How could this happen to a fine Christian young man like me? Don't I pay my tithes faithfully? Don't I read my Bible every single day? Don't I try to have a decent prayer time on a regular basis? And now my car battery is dead and I'm stuck. That's makes about as much sense as my getting diarrhea on a missions trip I took to Indonesia one time.
Was God mad at me? Did I slip up and sin along the way and now God is rebuking me through my car? Am I being tested for patience or tempted through frustration?
This impromptu dilemma taught me three valuable lessons about suffering that we may benefit from learning.
1. KEEP THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE
A dead car battery is really not a major deal. It may have been inconvenient but it was not life threatening. Millions of other people have to deal with body parts not functioning properly on a daily basis and all I faced was a minor and temporary problem one rainy night. Look at your problems in light of the bigger picture.
2. GUARD YOUR ATTITUDE
I needed to keep my attitude in check. Kicking the car, throwing my keys, slamming the hood, and grumbling and complaining about the whole deal would be senseless, particularly if anybody saw me acting in such an immature way. In this case, I had to ask others for assistance--something men generally don't like to do! But people watch (and listen to) how we react to the same problems they face. If we can maintain a positive, faith-filled, joyful attitude during a crisis--large or small--we can make a lasting impression that God can capitalize on later.
3. LOOK FOR GOD IN THE "DIVINE DETOUR"
I don't view a dead battery as "God's judgment" unleashed on my life. Rather, situations like this can be approached with a sense of excitement to see what God is up to. I have learned in walking with Jesus for over three decades now that often unexpected problems lead to unexpected pleasures and opportunities. Furthermore, God's Word contains comforting promises that bring balance and hope into the situation like these classic passages:
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way" (Psalm 37:23 KJV).
Knowing these facts from the Bible can alleviate needless stress, activate faith, initiate God's miracle provision, and advance God's plan in and through the Christian's carefully monitored, closely observed, and divinely ordained life.
Back to the dead battery story. All is well and everything worked out fine (according to God's plan).
- I borrowed jumper cables from a man whom I am now going to breakfast with next week.
- I got home without incident and replaced the battery for $20 the next day.
- My dad assisted me in the replacement and we went to lunch afterward for some father/son time.
- The delay may have saved my life from a tragic accident.
- Who knows what trouble the Lord kept me from or what opportunity the Lord is leading me to through this unplanned diversion?
The next time something negative or inconvenient happens to you--large or small--may I encourage you to keep things in perspective, guard your attitude, and look for God's fingerprints in the "divine detour"?
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4).
DSR
7/18/04
Sunday, July 11, 2004
Two Minutes to a Miracle
by David Scott Robertson
"… but I said to the king, 'May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?' The king said to me, 'What is it you want?' Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, 'If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it'" (Nehemiah 2:3-5).
* * *
It's Monday morning. Early. It's barely light outside. As is my custom, I'm heating a cup of water to make some hot tea and getting ready to settle into a time of prayer and Bible study.
I program the microwave to heat for two minutes. The timer starts the countdown and as I watch the digital readout of descending numbers, it hits me. In the time it takes for me to heat a cup of water, God can do a miracle in my life.
I find myself saying out loud "Lord, before the water heats up you could heal my eye disease." You could inspire an idea that will save millions of dollars or thousands of lives. You could translate me to the third heaven and show me things unlawful to share. You could let the revelation of the gospel bring a lost soul I've been praying for to a knowledge of the truth and he could get saved before the microwave announces it's finished. Two minutes is plenty of time for the Creator of heaven and earth to do just about anything He wants to do in my life, or anybody else's life for that matter.
It's also a great opportunity to invest two minutes in worship, in praise, in intercession, in praying in the Spirit, in holy silence listening. Really, two minutes is far more time than God needs to implement miracles in response to the prayer of faith.
The Bible tells the story of Nehemiah, the cupbearer of King Artaxerxes, who prayed for less than ten seconds one time and God answered that short (most likely silent) prayer by granting unusual favor with the king (Nehemiah 2:1-9). God's response to Nehemiah's short prayer is one of the most astonishing encouragements to pray about anything, anytime, anywhere that I have found in the entire Word of God.
The Lord heard His servant's extremely brief and simple prayer, and God caused the king to grant Nehemiah a leave of absence from work, letters to regional governors guaranteeing his safe passage, the king's generous permission to requisition all the free materials Nehemiah needed to rebuild the fallen walls and decimated gates of Jerusalem, PLUS the added bonus of all construction materials necessary to build Nehemiah a house to live in while on his assignment!
If you ask me, that's a whopping return for a ten-second-or-less investment in prayer! If God can (and did) respond to one man's prayer that took a few seconds (see Nehemiah 2:4), can you imagine what God can do if a full two minutes worth of faith-inspired prayer is offered up to Him? If that were the case, just imagine what God can do in your life in the time it takes to actually drink a cup of hot tea!
DSR
7/11/04
"… but I said to the king, 'May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?' The king said to me, 'What is it you want?' Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, 'If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it'" (Nehemiah 2:3-5).
* * *
It's Monday morning. Early. It's barely light outside. As is my custom, I'm heating a cup of water to make some hot tea and getting ready to settle into a time of prayer and Bible study.
I program the microwave to heat for two minutes. The timer starts the countdown and as I watch the digital readout of descending numbers, it hits me. In the time it takes for me to heat a cup of water, God can do a miracle in my life.
I find myself saying out loud "Lord, before the water heats up you could heal my eye disease." You could inspire an idea that will save millions of dollars or thousands of lives. You could translate me to the third heaven and show me things unlawful to share. You could let the revelation of the gospel bring a lost soul I've been praying for to a knowledge of the truth and he could get saved before the microwave announces it's finished. Two minutes is plenty of time for the Creator of heaven and earth to do just about anything He wants to do in my life, or anybody else's life for that matter.
It's also a great opportunity to invest two minutes in worship, in praise, in intercession, in praying in the Spirit, in holy silence listening. Really, two minutes is far more time than God needs to implement miracles in response to the prayer of faith.
The Bible tells the story of Nehemiah, the cupbearer of King Artaxerxes, who prayed for less than ten seconds one time and God answered that short (most likely silent) prayer by granting unusual favor with the king (Nehemiah 2:1-9). God's response to Nehemiah's short prayer is one of the most astonishing encouragements to pray about anything, anytime, anywhere that I have found in the entire Word of God.
The Lord heard His servant's extremely brief and simple prayer, and God caused the king to grant Nehemiah a leave of absence from work, letters to regional governors guaranteeing his safe passage, the king's generous permission to requisition all the free materials Nehemiah needed to rebuild the fallen walls and decimated gates of Jerusalem, PLUS the added bonus of all construction materials necessary to build Nehemiah a house to live in while on his assignment!
If you ask me, that's a whopping return for a ten-second-or-less investment in prayer! If God can (and did) respond to one man's prayer that took a few seconds (see Nehemiah 2:4), can you imagine what God can do if a full two minutes worth of faith-inspired prayer is offered up to Him? If that were the case, just imagine what God can do in your life in the time it takes to actually drink a cup of hot tea!
DSR
7/11/04
Sunday, July 4, 2004
What to Do When Trouble Finds You
by David Scott Robertson
"JESUS COULDN'T PLEASE EVERYONE."
I love this statement because it really takes the pressure off me. If Jesus, being perfect, couldn't please everyone while on earth, what hope do I have? The underlying truth of that statement is that Jesus didn't come to please everybody. That wasn't His assignment. The fault was not found in Him but with those that found fault with Him.
Where am I going with this? Well, it all came about the other day when I innocently logged on to check my email…
A few days ago I received an email from someone I didn't know. It was a stinging, scathing rebuke and verbal assault on me for my writing "Thoughts About God." Apparently a friend on my distribution list had forwarded one (or more) of my "Thoughts" to them. The person vehemently disagreed with my views (no problem there) and bludgeoned me with his words (problem). He thoughtfully ended the email with "love you my Christian brother."
Another example. Recently, my pastor was preaching his Sunday morning message and used me as a sermon illustration (that's what staff pastors are for!). He told the congregation the story of how a former church member had absolutely no use or respect for me. This person so chaffed under the my authority as an associate pastor that they not only refused to submit but elected to leave the church rather than remain and solve the problem (instead she and her husband left and started their own church). My pastor shared with our congregation how I had tried to make overtures of reconciliation that were soundly and repeatedly rejected to the point that my pastor instructed me to stop trying to make things right. Whoever made the statement "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me" obviously had never been cussed out.
I'll bet you who are reading this can identify with me. Somewhere along the way you've been misunderstood too. Your motives were judged before all the facts were in (and please understand that we NEVER have all the facts!). You were labeled, stereotyped, booked and sentenced before you even knew there was a problem!
What's an imperfect Christian like me to do? Well, I don't know it all but at least I know a few things NOT to do:
Don't get mad.
Don't get jaded.
Don't get cynical.
Don't get even.
Don't stop what God started.
Don't call off what has God called on.
If you've ever been mistreated, misrepresented, misquoted, misinterpreted, then you've joined an elite club that has many distinguished members of profoundly misunderstood people. Here are a few of your longstanding fellow members:
PAUL THE APOSTLE - All he ever wanted to do was preach the gospel and they beat him, stoned him, and imprisoned him for it. PAUL'S RESPONSE: "So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man" (Acts 24:16).
DAVID, ANOINTED BY THE PROPHET SAMUEL TO BE KING OF ISRAEL - All David ever wanted to do was be faithful to one man who was his boss, his father-in-law, his general, his best friend's dad, his king, that is, Saul, who was hunting him down like an animal to murder him. DAVID'S RESPONSE: "May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you" (1 Samuel 24:12).
JESUS CHRIST, THE MESSIAH - All He ever wanted to do was preach the good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom for the captives, release the prisoners from darkness, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who grieve in Zion, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and the garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:1-3). But alas, the God-Man, the perfect, sinless, faultless Holy and Anointed One, the Only Begotten Son of God was, according to the opinion of the religious leaders, so offensive that they deemed Him not fit to live. JESUS' RESPONSE: "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21).
The Lord impressed on my heart one day while pondering such things that "at any given time there may be a small number of people upset with you. But until I make you aware of it, don't worry about it. When I do, do your best to make things right." Does that bear witness with you? Doesn't that sound like something God would say? How does the Bible tell us to make things right?
* * * 4 STEPS TO BIBLICAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION * * *
1. GO "QUICKLY" TO THE "ONE" WHO HAS OFFENDED YOU (OR WHOM YOU HAVE OFFENDED): "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over" (Matthew 18:15).
2. RETURN, IF NECESSARY, TO ESTABLISH THE MATTER WITH ONE OR TWO OTHER WITNESSES: "But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses'" (Matthew 18:16).
3. TAKE THE MATTER TO YOUR PASTOR/CHURCH LEADERS: "If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector" (Matthew 18:17).
4. TREAT THE OFFENDER AS A PAGAN - "Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him" (Titus 3:10).
* * * 5 PRACTICAL THINGS TO DO WHEN TROUBLE FINDS YOU * * *
1. PRAY (Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6-7).
2. REFUSE TO ALLOW YOURSELF OR YOUR FAMILY TO GET CAUGHT UP IN A CRITICAL SPIRIT (Joshua 24:15; Numbers 13:32-14:2).
3. RUN (DON'T WALK) TO THE SCRIPTURES FOR INSTRUCTIONS (Psalm 119:9-11; Proverbs 18:19).
4. GO OUT OF YOUR WAY TO BE NICE TO THE "OFFENDING" OR "OFFENDED" PARTIES (Romans 12:20; Luke 6:36-38).
5. IF SOMEONE COMES TO YOU WITH GOSSIP OR A GRIEVANCE ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE, ATTEMPT TO THE CONNECT THE TWO PARTIES RAPIDLY (Proverbs 3:27; Matthew 5:9).
* * * 7 BENEFITS FOR HANDLING CONFLICT WISELY * * *
If you will do these things, here are seven benefits for handling conflict wisely that will be yours: (1) answered prayer (Matthew 18:19), (2) unhindered prayer in your home (1 Peter 3:7), (3) you will love life and see good days (1 Peter 3:9-10), (4) You will dwell in God's sanctuary (Psalm 15:1-3), (6) honor (Proverbs 20:3), (7) contentment (1 Timothy 6:6), fellowship (Amos 3:3), and a wonderful opportunity to glorify God (John 15:8; Matthew 5:16).
DSR
7/4/04
"JESUS COULDN'T PLEASE EVERYONE."
I love this statement because it really takes the pressure off me. If Jesus, being perfect, couldn't please everyone while on earth, what hope do I have? The underlying truth of that statement is that Jesus didn't come to please everybody. That wasn't His assignment. The fault was not found in Him but with those that found fault with Him.
Where am I going with this? Well, it all came about the other day when I innocently logged on to check my email…
A few days ago I received an email from someone I didn't know. It was a stinging, scathing rebuke and verbal assault on me for my writing "Thoughts About God." Apparently a friend on my distribution list had forwarded one (or more) of my "Thoughts" to them. The person vehemently disagreed with my views (no problem there) and bludgeoned me with his words (problem). He thoughtfully ended the email with "love you my Christian brother."
Another example. Recently, my pastor was preaching his Sunday morning message and used me as a sermon illustration (that's what staff pastors are for!). He told the congregation the story of how a former church member had absolutely no use or respect for me. This person so chaffed under the my authority as an associate pastor that they not only refused to submit but elected to leave the church rather than remain and solve the problem (instead she and her husband left and started their own church). My pastor shared with our congregation how I had tried to make overtures of reconciliation that were soundly and repeatedly rejected to the point that my pastor instructed me to stop trying to make things right. Whoever made the statement "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me" obviously had never been cussed out.
I'll bet you who are reading this can identify with me. Somewhere along the way you've been misunderstood too. Your motives were judged before all the facts were in (and please understand that we NEVER have all the facts!). You were labeled, stereotyped, booked and sentenced before you even knew there was a problem!
What's an imperfect Christian like me to do? Well, I don't know it all but at least I know a few things NOT to do:
Don't get mad.
Don't get jaded.
Don't get cynical.
Don't get even.
Don't stop what God started.
Don't call off what has God called on.
If you've ever been mistreated, misrepresented, misquoted, misinterpreted, then you've joined an elite club that has many distinguished members of profoundly misunderstood people. Here are a few of your longstanding fellow members:
PAUL THE APOSTLE - All he ever wanted to do was preach the gospel and they beat him, stoned him, and imprisoned him for it. PAUL'S RESPONSE: "So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man" (Acts 24:16).
DAVID, ANOINTED BY THE PROPHET SAMUEL TO BE KING OF ISRAEL - All David ever wanted to do was be faithful to one man who was his boss, his father-in-law, his general, his best friend's dad, his king, that is, Saul, who was hunting him down like an animal to murder him. DAVID'S RESPONSE: "May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you" (1 Samuel 24:12).
JESUS CHRIST, THE MESSIAH - All He ever wanted to do was preach the good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom for the captives, release the prisoners from darkness, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who grieve in Zion, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and the garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:1-3). But alas, the God-Man, the perfect, sinless, faultless Holy and Anointed One, the Only Begotten Son of God was, according to the opinion of the religious leaders, so offensive that they deemed Him not fit to live. JESUS' RESPONSE: "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21).
The Lord impressed on my heart one day while pondering such things that "at any given time there may be a small number of people upset with you. But until I make you aware of it, don't worry about it. When I do, do your best to make things right." Does that bear witness with you? Doesn't that sound like something God would say? How does the Bible tell us to make things right?
* * * 4 STEPS TO BIBLICAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION * * *
1. GO "QUICKLY" TO THE "ONE" WHO HAS OFFENDED YOU (OR WHOM YOU HAVE OFFENDED): "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over" (Matthew 18:15).
2. RETURN, IF NECESSARY, TO ESTABLISH THE MATTER WITH ONE OR TWO OTHER WITNESSES: "But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses'" (Matthew 18:16).
3. TAKE THE MATTER TO YOUR PASTOR/CHURCH LEADERS: "If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector" (Matthew 18:17).
4. TREAT THE OFFENDER AS A PAGAN - "Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him" (Titus 3:10).
* * * 5 PRACTICAL THINGS TO DO WHEN TROUBLE FINDS YOU * * *
1. PRAY (Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6-7).
2. REFUSE TO ALLOW YOURSELF OR YOUR FAMILY TO GET CAUGHT UP IN A CRITICAL SPIRIT (Joshua 24:15; Numbers 13:32-14:2).
3. RUN (DON'T WALK) TO THE SCRIPTURES FOR INSTRUCTIONS (Psalm 119:9-11; Proverbs 18:19).
4. GO OUT OF YOUR WAY TO BE NICE TO THE "OFFENDING" OR "OFFENDED" PARTIES (Romans 12:20; Luke 6:36-38).
5. IF SOMEONE COMES TO YOU WITH GOSSIP OR A GRIEVANCE ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE, ATTEMPT TO THE CONNECT THE TWO PARTIES RAPIDLY (Proverbs 3:27; Matthew 5:9).
* * * 7 BENEFITS FOR HANDLING CONFLICT WISELY * * *
If you will do these things, here are seven benefits for handling conflict wisely that will be yours: (1) answered prayer (Matthew 18:19), (2) unhindered prayer in your home (1 Peter 3:7), (3) you will love life and see good days (1 Peter 3:9-10), (4) You will dwell in God's sanctuary (Psalm 15:1-3), (6) honor (Proverbs 20:3), (7) contentment (1 Timothy 6:6), fellowship (Amos 3:3), and a wonderful opportunity to glorify God (John 15:8; Matthew 5:16).
DSR
7/4/04
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