Simple Yet Effective

Christians may have a great understanding of the bible and what it says. God may even be able to help us build on that understanding giving us greater understanding but sometimes greater understanding- however GREAT is not always effective in those quick, spare of the moment decisions.

We must live in the Spirit of God.

Where does the mind go in conflict, struggle, persecution, oppression, sadness, frustration, anxiety and so on....?

The mind seems to have no speed limit at times and if not watchful and alert will give us disastrous results.

We know what sin does to our lives. We know where our hope and confidence should be. We know how we should love and where our focus should be.

We know God is love and what can be built and not built from His love -which is foundational.

But sometimes all this understanding, however very helpful, needs to be simplified for that split second where the mind needs to go from human understanding to spiritual understanding.

When we are in a stressful or high tension moment- our mind sometimes moves way too fast and before we know we have either said or did the first something that came to mind or we feel like "we" have to gather all these pieces of Godly wisdom together before we speak or move and before we know it the moment is here and gone and we have not spoken anything of God's love or truth "into" the situation.

No I am not saying we do not need to be prepared by reading the bible and going to church and spending time with the Lord. Rather I am saying be prepared by also putting your mind on the starting line where you can receive what God wants you to say and/or do in that split moment.

John 6:63 "It is the Spirit who gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to give you are spirit and life."

Romans: 12:2 "Don't copy the behavior and customs of the this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is."

Exercise your mind for a moment. Think of a situation that is a challenge to you. Now without saying it as something hokey but in truth- say to yourself: "God is love and God loves me."

What just happened to your mind when you did this? If you believed that God is love and he loves you then your mind restructured its thinking to Holy Spirit thinking.

From this point peace "can" rule and this peace helps align your thoughts to where it should be and how it should act.

Jeremiah 17:7 "But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence."

Psalm 147:11 "Rather, the LORD's delight is in those who honor him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love."

Simple yet effective... God is love and God loves me.

Division within the Church…

From the Inspirational Study Bible

How many pulpit hours have been wasted on preaching the trivial? How many churches have tumbled at the throes of miniscuity? How many leaders have saddled their pet peeves, drawn their swords of bitterness and launched into battle against brethren over issues that are not worthy discussing?

So close to the cross but so far from the Christ.

We specialize in “I am right” rallies. We write books about what the other does wrong. We major in finding gossip and become experts in unveiling weakness. We split into little huddles and then, God forbid, we split again…

Are our differences that divisive? Are our opinions that obtrusive? Are our walls that wide? Is it that impossible to find a common cause?

“May they all be one,” Jesus prayed.

One. Not one in groups of two thousand. But one in One. One church. One faith. One Lord. Not Baptist, not Methodist, not Adventist. Just Christian. No denominations. No hierarchies. No traditions. Just Christ.

Too idealistic? Impossible to achieve? I don’t think so. Harder things have been done, you know. For example, once upon a tree, a Creator gave his life for his creation. Maybe all we need are a few hearts that are willing to follow suit.

(From No Wonder They Call Him Savior by Max Lucado)

Max Lucado then asks these questions:

What differences divide believers today?

What issues do you think Christians should not fight over? What issues are worth discussing?

What can we do to build a sense of unity in the church?

Why is a lack of unity harmful to the church?

How can believers remain unified when disagreements arise?

How can you help your Christian brothers and sisters focus on the common ground you share?

Tension and Conflict within the Body of Christ.

In our men’s bible study group we have been studying the book of Acts. Like most bible study groups we come from a variety of different Christian churches and have found that tension and conflict aren’t rare within a specific church or among different churches.

These are some of the questions we have been asked in our study guide which I thought would be helpful to you, the believer.

What causes tension and disagreements in the church today?
Example answers: (Traditions, maturity, legalism, self-centered beliefs, demons, spirits, unguarded thoughts and speech, course jokes, different perspectives on God’s word, personal agendas.)

Why is it important for Christians to get along?
Example answers (To function as a body in love and purpose, to encourage those and reach those in our church and community for Christ. To show we can get along even when we disagree.)

What can we learn from the early church leaders about resolving our differences?
Example answers (They had an assigned group of people that prayed, considered solutions, and presented a solution to the people. The people were engaged in the solution process. They probably had individuals who also interceeded and had intercession.)

What do I usually do when I feel tension in a relationship?
Example answers (I get mad, a blow them off, I internalize everything until presumption, guess work, feelings of inadequacy, judgement has got the best of me or overwhelmed me.)

How can I improve the way I resolve conflict? (Stay calm in Christ, lament to Jesus and let him speak to you about the situation, acceptance on disagreement then agreement on both sides. Try to see if there has been a miscommunication. Why is there tension? Was it something as simple as a person's tone of voice or a misunderstanding of the chosen words that were actually said. Did you just happen to be the brunt of someone's bad day? Am I demonstrating and acting in love?)

What happens when believers criticize and argue with one another?
Examples: (Shows disobedience to God, God has a difficult time working through them "trespasses". Hurt, resentment, anxiety, murmuring, judgments can cause problems to get bigger and affect and involve more believers.)

What character traits do believers need to get along with each other?
Examples: (Love, forgiveness, allowances of misgivings and failures, Holy Spirit, obedience to Christ, a love for people, focus on Christ, understanding of different maturity levels, what God’s words says.)

How can we cultivate these qualities?
Examples: (Depend and trust in God, live them out by his Holy Spirit not our will, refer to scripture often, prayer, be respectful, seek a common interest or bond in the relationship. Drop the dispute)

Harmony among believers (EXCELLENT Scriptures references)
(Proverbs 17:14, Romans 12:16; 15:5-7; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 3:3; 6:1-7; Ephesians 4:2-4; Philippians 2:3,4; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15; Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 3:8,9.)

Questions came from "Life Lessons, with Max Lucado. Book of Acts"