Category Archives: Patient

Understanding Divine Justice: Insights from Job 35

Have you ever questioned the fairness of life’s circumstances, wondering why the righteous sometimes suffer while the wicked seem to prosper?

In Job 35, Elihu offers insights into the nature of divine justice, challenging conventional wisdom and prompting us to rethink our understanding of God’s ways.

Reconnect: As we delve into Job 35, we are reminded of the ongoing dialogue between Job and his friends, each grappling with the profound mysteries of human suffering and divine justice. Elihu’s perspective adds a new dimension to the conversation, urging us to consider the complexities of God’s sovereignty and the limitations of human understanding.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Job 35

Elihu Sharply Reproves Job

      1Then Elihu continued and said,

      2“Do you think this is according to justice?
Do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s’?

      3“For you say, ‘What advantage will it be to You?
What profit will I have, more than if I had sinned?’

      4“I will answer you,
And your friends with you.

      5“Look at the heavens and see;
And behold the clouds—they are higher than you.

      6“If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against Him?
And if your transgressions are many, what do you do to Him?

      7“If you are righteous, what do you give to Him,
Or what does He receive from your hand?

      8“Your wickedness is for a man like yourself,
And your righteousness is for a son of man.

      9“Because of the multitude of oppressions they cry out;
They cry for help because of the arm of the mighty.

      10“But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker,
Who gives songs in the night,

      11Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth
And makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?’

      12“There they cry out, but He does not answer
Because of the pride of evil men.

      13“Surely God will not listen to an empty cry,
Nor will the Almighty regard it.

      14“How much less when you say you do not behold Him,
The case is before Him, and you must wait for Him!

      15“And now, because He has not visited in His anger,
Nor has He acknowledged transgression well,

      16So Job opens his mouth emptily;
He multiplies words without knowledge.”

Summary Key Points:

  • Elihu’s Assertion of Divine Justice: Elihu begins by asserting the righteousness of God’s judgments, challenging Job’s assertion that his suffering is unjust. He emphasizes that God’s justice transcends human comprehension and operates on a higher plane of wisdom and righteousness.
  • The Limitations of Human Righteousness: Elihu highlights the fallacy of attributing one’s righteousness to God’s benefit, arguing that human goodness does not elevate or diminish God’s glory. He underscores the importance of humility before the Almighty, recognizing our inherent limitations and dependence on His grace.
  • The Call to Await God’s Response: Elihu admonishes Job for presuming to dictate the terms of God’s justice, urging him to await divine vindication rather than questioning God’s integrity. He emphasizes the importance of trusting in God’s wisdom and timing, even in the face of uncertainty and suffering.

Call to Action:

As we reflect on the insights of Job 35, let us respond with:

  • Humility Before God: Let us cultivate a spirit of humility and reverence in our relationship with God, acknowledging His sovereignty and wisdom. May we surrender our doubts and questions to Him, trusting in His righteous judgments.
  • Patience in Waiting: In moments of trial and uncertainty, let us patiently await God’s response, knowing that His timing is perfect and His purposes are just. May we resist the temptation to demand answers and instead rest in the assurance of His faithfulness.
  • Seeking Understanding: Let us earnestly seek to deepen our understanding of God’s ways, studying His Word and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit. May we approach the complexities of divine justice with an open heart and mind, trusting in God’s goodness and wisdom.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, grant us the humility to submit to Your sovereign rule and the patience to await Your righteous judgments. Help us to trust in Your wisdom and goodness, even when we cannot fully comprehend Your ways. Lead us in paths of righteousness, and grant us the grace to surrender our doubts and questions to You. Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda


Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Elihu’s Patient Perspective: A Voice of Restraint Amidst Debate (Job 33)

Have you ever felt like your voice was drowned out in the noise of heated discussions, yearning for the right moment to speak your truth?

In Job 33, Elihu emerges from the sidelines with a voice of patience and wisdom, offering insights that speak volumes about the power of discernment and timing in conversations.

Reconnect: In the ongoing discourse between Job and his friends, Elihu’s entrance in Job 32 marks a significant shift in the dialogue. As Job and his companions grapple with the complexities of suffering and divine justice, Elihu’s patient observation and compassionate wisdom offer a fresh perspective that challenges and enlightens.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Job 33

Elihu Claims to Speak for God

1“However now, Job, please hear my speech,
And listen to all my words.

      2“Behold now, I open my mouth,
My tongue in my mouth speaks.

      3“My words are from the uprightness of my heart,
And my lips speak knowledge sincerely.

      4“The Spirit of God has made me,
And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

      5“Refute me if you can;
Array yourselves before me, take your stand.

      6“Behold, I belong to God like you;
I too have been formed out of the clay.

      7“Behold, no fear of me should terrify you,
Nor should my pressure weigh heavily on you.

      8“Surely you have spoken in my hearing,
And I have heard the sound of your words:

      9‘I am pure, without transgression;
I am innocent and there is no guilt in me.

      10‘Behold, He invents pretexts against me;
He counts me as His enemy.

      11‘He puts my feet in the stocks;
He watches all my paths.’

      12“Behold, let me tell you, you are not right in this,
For God is greater than man.

      13“Why do you complain against Him
That He does not give an account of all His doings?

      14“Indeed God speaks once,
Or twice, yet no one notices it.

      15“In a dream, a vision of the night,
When sound sleep falls on men,
While they slumber in their beds,

      16Then He opens the ears of men,
And seals their instruction,

      17That He may turn man aside from his conduct,
And keep man from pride;

      18He keeps back his soul from the pit,
And his life from passing over into Sheol.

      19“Man is also chastened with pain on his bed,
And with unceasing complaint in his bones;

      20So that his life loathes bread,
And his soul favorite food.

      21“His flesh wastes away from sight,
And his bones which were not seen stick out.

      22“Then his soul draws near to the pit,
And his life to those who bring death.

      23“If there is an angel as mediator for him,
One out of a thousand,
To remind a man what is right for him,

      24Then let him be gracious to him, and say,
‘Deliver him from going down to the pit,
I have found a ransom’;

      25Let his flesh become fresher than in youth,
Let him return to the days of his youthful vigor;

      26Then he will pray to God, and He will accept him,
That he may see His face with joy,
And He may restore His righteousness to man.

      27“He will sing to men and say,
‘I have sinned and perverted what is right,
And it is not proper for me.

      28‘He has redeemed my soul from going to the pit,
And my life shall see the light.’

      29“Behold, God does all these oftentimes with men,

      30To bring back his soul from the pit,
That he may be enlightened with the light of life.

      31“Pay attention, O Job, listen to me;
Keep silent, and let me speak.

      32Then if you have anything to say, answer me;
Speak, for I desire to justify you.

      33“If not, listen to me;
Keep silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”

Summary Key Points:

  1. Elihu’s Insightful Observation: Elihu begins by highlighting his attentiveness to the ongoing debate between Job and his friends. His patience serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most profound wisdom comes from observing rather than immediately engaging in dialogue.
  2. Elihu’s Humble Approach: Despite his eagerness to share his perspective, Elihu prefaces his words with humility, acknowledging that he speaks from a place of sincerity rather than superiority. His humility underscores the importance of approaching discussions with an open heart and mind.
  3. Elihu’s Compassionate Rebuke: Elihu’s words are not intended to condemn or belittle Job but rather to offer constructive criticism rooted in compassion. He gently challenges Job’s perspective, urging him to consider the bigger picture and trust in the justice of God.
  4. Elihu’s Call to Reflection: Through Elihu’s discourse, we are prompted to reflect on our own interactions and conversations. Are we approaching discussions with humility and patience, or are we quick to assert our opinions without considering the perspectives of others?

Call to Action: Let us heed the example of Elihu in Job 33 by:

  • Practicing Patient Observation: Like Elihu, let us cultivate the discipline of patient observation in our conversations, recognizing the value of listening before speaking.
  • Embracing Humility: Before sharing our own perspectives, let us approach discussions with humility, acknowledging that true wisdom often comes from a place of humility.
  • Extending Compassion: In our interactions with others, let us strive to offer compassionate feedback and guidance, seeking to uplift rather than tear down.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, grant us the wisdom and discernment to approach conversations with patience, humility, and compassion. May our words be a reflection of Your love and grace, guiding us to build meaningful connections and foster understanding. Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda


Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Elihu’s Silent Wisdom: Patiently Awaiting His Turn (Job 32)

Ever been in a conversation where tensions rise, opinions clash, and voices grow louder… and you feel unable to withhold your thoughts and truly listen to others?

In Job 32, Elihu stands as a model of patience, silently observing the discourse between Job and his friends. His restraint speaks volumes, reminding us of the wisdom found in measured words and attentive listening.

Reconnect: In the unfolding saga of Job’s suffering and the ensuing debate with his friends, Elihu emerges as a new voice, adding depth and dimension to the conversation. His introduction comes at a critical juncture, offering insight and wisdom that challenges the prevailing discourse while emphasizing the significance of speaking up in the face of uncertainty.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Job 32

Elihu in Anger Rebukes Job

      1Then these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2But the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram burned; against Job his anger burned because he justified himself before God. 3And his anger burned against his three friends because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 4Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were years older than he. 5And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men his anger burned.

      6So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite spoke out and said,
“I am young in years and you are old;
Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you what I think.

      7“I thought age should speak,
And increased years should teach wisdom.

      8“But it is a spirit in man,
And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.

      9“The abundant in years may not be wise,
Nor may elders understand justice.

      10“So I say, ‘Listen to me,
I too will tell what I think.’

      11“Behold, I waited for your words,
I listened to your reasonings,
While you pondered what to say.

      12“I even paid close attention to you;
Indeed, there was no one who refuted Job,
Not one of you who answered his words.

      13“Do not say,
‘We have found wisdom;
God will rout him, not man.’

      14“For he has not arranged his words against me,
Nor will I reply to him with your arguments.

      15“They are dismayed, they no longer answer;
Words have failed them.

      16“Shall I wait, because they do not speak,
Because they stop and no longer answer?

      17“I too will answer my share,
I also will tell my opinion.

      18“For I am full of words;
The spirit within me constrains me.

      19“Behold, my belly is like unvented wine,
Like new wineskins it is about to burst.

      20“Let me speak that I may get relief;
Let me open my lips and answer.

      21“Let me now be partial to no one,
Nor flatter any man.

      22“For I do not know how to flatter,
Else my Maker would soon take me away.

Summary Key Points:

  1. Elihu’s Patient Restraint (Job 32:1-5): Elihu, a younger observer in the debate, has remained silent as Job and his friends exchange arguments. Despite his youth, he has listened attentively, showing restraint and humility in refraining from speaking prematurely.
  2. Elihu’s Compelled Response (Job 32:6-10): Feeling a growing urgency and a sense of conviction, Elihu breaks his silence, explaining that age alone does not guarantee wisdom. Instead, true wisdom comes from a spirit attuned to God’s guidance, a truth Elihu emphasizes as he prepares to share his insights.
  3. Elihu’s Honest Appraisal (Job 32:11-22): Elihu candidly acknowledges his inner turmoil and the pressure he feels to speak out. He explains that he cannot remain silent any longer, compelled by a sense of duty to address the issues at hand. His words are driven by a desire for truth and a commitment to honoring God above all else.

Call to Action:

As we reflect on the introduction of Elihu in Job 32, let us consider the following:

  1. Practice Patient Listening: Like Elihu, let us cultivate the discipline of patient listening, recognizing the value of restraint in conversations where emotions run high. By listening attentively, we create space for understanding and empathy to flourish.
  2. Speak with Conviction: When compelled by truth and guided by wisdom, let us not hesitate to speak out with courage and conviction. Like Elihu, may we recognize the importance of sharing our insights respectfully and honestly, even when it challenges prevailing perspectives.
  3. Seek Divine Guidance: In moments of uncertainty and doubt, let us turn to God for guidance and clarity. Through prayer and reflection, may we discern His voice amidst the noise of conflicting opinions, trusting in His wisdom to illuminate our path forward.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, grant us the wisdom to discern truth, the patience to listen attentively, and the courage to speak with conviction when compelled by Your Spirit. Guide our words and actions, that we may honor You in all we do. Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda


Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Foundation 5: Conflict Resolution in Marriage

This is part 5 of a 9-part series I am sharing from Bible.org. (Link to Foundation 4: Communication in Marriage.

Walking through this series with your spouse or future spouse will bring you closer together in understanding one another and God’s intent for marriage.

—Link to Bible.org: 5. Foundation Five: Conflict Resolution in Marriage | Bible.org

—Link to PDF: 5. Foundation Five_ Conflict Resolution In Marriage _ Bible.org

How should couples resolve conflict in marriage?

Conflict is, essentially, part of human nature. After Adam sinned in the Garden, conflict ensued. When God asked him if he had eaten of the forbidden tree, he did not simply say, “Yes.” He said, “The woman you gave me, gave me the fruit and I did eat.” He indirectly blamed God and directly blamed the woman. The woman then blamed the serpent. When sin entered the world, so did conflict. In fact, God said that one of the results of sin would be conflict between the man and the woman. The wife would desire to control the husband and the husband would try to dominate the woman by force (Gen 3:16).

As we go throughout the biblical narrative, we continually see the fruit of sin displayed in conflict. In Genesis 4, Cain killed his brother Abel. In the same chapter, Cain’s son, Lamech, killed another man and boasted about it. In Genesis 6, the world was full of “violence,” and God decided to wipe out its inhabitants through the flood. However, the flood didn’t change the nature of man, and therefore, conflict has continued throughout history. The world has known no time without war or conflict, and unfortunately, marriages are not exempt.

Paul taught that one of the fruits of the flesh, our sin nature, is “discord” (Gal 5:20). We are prone to offend others, to be offended, to hate, to withhold forgiveness, and to divide. Sadly, all these fruits are prone to blossom within the marriage union. Couples should be aware of this, and therefore, prepare to resolve conflict in marriage. How should couples resolve conflict in marriage?

In Conflict, We Must Have the Right Attitude

The first principle necessary to resolve conflict is to have the right attitude—one of joyful expectation in God. It is good to remember that conflict does not necessarily have to be detrimental to a marriage relationship. Conflict, as with all trials, is meant to test our faith, reveal sin in our hearts, develop character, and draw us closer to God (cf. Rom 5:3-5Jam 1:2-4). Paul said this: “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Rom 5:3-4). Similarly, James said, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (James 1:2-3). Paul said that we should rejoice in sufferings, and James said we should consider it “pure joy” when we encounter them because of God’s purposes in them. God does not waste suffering, including conflict within marriage. God uses conflict to make us grow into the image of Christ (cf. Rom 8:28-29), which should be our ultimate goal.

Many times God uses our spouse as sand paper to smooth out areas in our life that don’t reflect Christ. It has often been said, “Marriage is not about happiness; it is about holiness. And when we are holy, then we will truly be happy.” In marriage, we enter the ultimate accountability relationship, which is meant to help us grow as God’s children (cf. Eph 5:25-27).

Therefore, as James taught (James 1:2) and Paul taught (Rom 5:3), we should encounter marital conflict (and all trials) with joyful expectation, not because we enjoy suffering, but because we know God’s purposes in it. We worship a God who took the worst sin that ever happened in the world, the murder of his Son, and made it the best thing. It is for this reason that we can have a joyful expectation, even in conflict. This isn’t a denial of pain. It is both a recognition of pain and a future hope. It is like a mother giving birth. Even in the midst of pain, there is a joyful expectation. Many couples, who have gone through very difficult conflict, developed some of the strongest marriages—marriages used to counsel and repair others.

What is your attitude when you encounter conflict with your mate? If we don’t have the right attitude, if we are angry at our mate and angry at God, if we are depressed, bitter, and disillusioned, then it will negatively affect our behavior and our spouse, and therefore, reap harmful consequences in marriage. Conflict is really just an opportunity to grow, and we should view it that way.

What is your attitude during conflict? Do you have a joyful expectation of the work that God wants to do? Do you expect him to make you holier? Do you expect him to strengthen your capacity to love? That’s how Scripture tells us to view all trials.

In Conflict, We Must Develop Perseverance

In continuing with what Paul and James taught about trials, both taught that trials produce perseverance. Paul then said perseverance produces character and character hope (Rom 5:3-4). James said that we should “let perseverance finish its work so that we can become mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:3-4, NIV 2011). In marital conflict, we must develop perseverance so we can produce the fruits God wants to cultivate in our marriage.

This is difficult because the natural response to trials and conflict is to bail or quit. And that’s what many couples do. At some point they say, “That’s enough; I can’t live like this” and they quit. Some do this by divorcing, others by distancing themselves emotionally and physically, as they stop working to fix the marriage. However, Scripture teaches us to persevere in trials, which includes conflict. The word means to “bear up under a heavy weight.” God matures us individually and corporately as we bear up under the heavy weight. He teaches us to trust him more. He helps us develop peace, patience, and joy, regardless of our circumstances. He helps us grow in character as we “let perseverance finish its work.”

In order to resolve conflict, we must develop perseverance. That’s essentially what we promised to do in our wedding vows. We committed to love our spouse in sickness and in health, for better or for worse. We should be thankful when it is “better” and persevere when it is “worse”. For those who do, there is fruit. Paul said, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

Do you feel like quitting? Hold on, because God has a harvest for you if you don’t quit.

In Conflict, We Must Sow Good Seeds

Not only must we have the right attitude when encountering conflict, but we also must sow the right seeds to resolve it. Paul said that whatever we sow, we will also reap (Gal 6:7). Sowing and reaping is a principle God set throughout the earth, and it is at work within every marriage as well. If we sow negative seeds, we will reap negative fruit. It we sow positive seeds, we will reap positive fruit.

Sadly, even though we all want a positive harvest in our marriage, we typically respond in ways that are counter to that. A wife wants her husband to spend more time with her, but in order to get that, she criticizes him. The fruit she desires is opposite of the seed she is sowing. The seed of criticism will only produce a negative fruit in her husband. Similarly, a husband, who wants intimacy with his wife, actually begins to withdraw from her. He withdraws hoping that this will draw her closer, but it actually does the opposite. The negative seed of withdrawing cannot produce the positive fruit of intimacy.

In conflict, we must do the opposite of what our nature desires. We may have a desire to raise our voice, and/or to hurt the other person, but these seeds will only produce negative fruits and potentially destruction in the marriage. To resolve conflict, we must always sow the right seeds.

Similarly, consider what Paul taught about how we should respond to an enemy. He said:

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. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:19-21

Paul taught that in response to an enemy, we must overcome evil with good. Instead of responding with anger or seeking revenge, we should sow kindness and generosity. If he is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. Instead of being overcome by evil, we must overcome evil by continually sowing good.

What good seeds can we sow while we are in conflict? Maybe, it could be the good seed of a listening ear. It could be the seed of affirmation. It could be the seed of service. Certainly, it must be the seed of unconditional love. In conflict, we must sow good seeds to reap a good harvest.

With that said, we must always remember that conflict resolution is very much like farming. Sometimes, it may take months or years to get the harvest we desire. Many become discouraged while waiting for their spouse to change or for the conflict to be resolved. Typically, in that discouragement, people start to sow negative seeds that only hinder the harvest they seek. A verse worth repeating while considering conflict resolution is, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). We must not only sow good seeds, but we must faithfully do it until God brings the harvest. We plant and water, but only God makes the seed grow in his time (cf. 1 Cor 3:6-7).

What type of negative seeds do you have a tendency to sow when in conflict? How is God calling you to sow positive seeds to reap a positive harvest?

In Conflict, We Must Talk to Our Spouse First Before Others

Another important principle to apply in conflict is talking to our spouse first before talking to anybody else. This is a principle that Christ taught about dealing with sin in general. In Matthew 18:15 he said, “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.”

This is important for several reasons. First, it shows respect for our spouse. It is disrespectful to discuss a problem with our mom, our friend, or anybody else not first discussed with our spouse. If our spouse finds out, it may actually cause more conflict. Secondly, every story has two sides, and those who are closest to us (such as family and friends) may not have the ability to give us unbiased counsel. Even for myself, as a pastoral counselor, I have to work really hard to not jump to conclusions after hearing only one side of the story. This does not mean that we shouldn’t talk to those closest to us, we should, but only after trying to resolve it with our spouse first. And when we do talk to others, we should still respect and honor our spouse.

Christ taught that when somebody sins against us, we should go to that person first (Matt 18:15). Many couples increase their conflict by bringing others in without first seeking to resolve it with their spouse alone.

In Conflict, We Must Seek Wise Counselors

Though this point may seem like it contradicts the previous one, it doesn’t. Christ taught that we should confront a person in sin one on one, and if they don’t respond, then invite others into the process, including the church. Matthew 18:16-17 says this:

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.’ 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.

Though this was originally spoken about a brother in sin, it certainly applies to sin or conflict within marriage. God made us part of the body of Christ, which includes our marriage. When a natural body is sick, it often results in fever. In a fever, the body simply recruits itself to bring healing. In the same way, a Christian marriage needs the body’s help to stay healthy. Marriages should always operate as a part of the body of Christ, but in times of difficulty, they need the body’s help even more.

For many, this is countercultural. While in serious conflict, many couples hesitate to invite anybody into their marriage to help. Pride keeps them from exposing themselves and getting the help they need. This is actually another result of the Fall. When Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden tree, they looked at one another, saw their nakedness, and hid. They then put on fig leaves. At the Fall, humanity lost its intended transparency. We hide from one another; we put on a fake smile even when things are bad. We hide behind our clothes, our houses, our jobs, and our hobbies. We are deathly afraid of people knowing us: our insecurities and our problems. We even hide from God, as Adam and Eve did.

However, in order to build the healthy marriage God meant for us, we must be willing to expose ourselves and seek help. In Matthew 18, Christ said that if approaching the person in sin does not work, we should bring one or two others for accountability. If that doesn’t help, invite the church. And if that doesn’t help, the church should lovingly discipline the erring mate. This is difficult, but if we are followers of Christ, we must trust he knows best. God wants to use other godly people to speak into our marriage and sharpen it as iron sharpens iron (Prov 27:17).

Who would you invite to help your marriage? They should be wise people who can understand you, and who are walking with Christ—preferably a married couple. Solomon said: “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure” (Prov 11:14).

Every president or king selects a cabinet with many advisers. The cabinet advises the president on foreign policy, educational reform, health care, etc., and this multitude of counselors helps bring victory. In the same way, a marriage needs a multitude of counselors, especially when in conflict. Yes, a couple should try to resolve the problem together first, but after that, they should seek help.

This should be considered even before getting married. Who will be your “many advisers” that make victory sure? It could be your parents, a wise couple in the church, your pastor, your small group leader, etc. The selection of these wise counselors takes great wisdom because all counselors are not created equal. These counselors should primarily use the Bible, as Scripture is sufficient to train us in all righteousness. Second Timothy 3:16-17 says this:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

God’s Word is useful to train and equip us for every good work, which includes marriage. Those who disregard Scripture, do it to their own peril and that of their marriage.

In finding counselors, ideally, the couple would agree on whom to approach. But at times when one mate doesn’t want help, the other mate may still need to seek help in obedience to Christ’s teaching in Matthew 18. This is how Christ intended his church to function. Not only should we depend on God, but we should depend on one another. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you” (1 Cor 12:21). By not using the body, we spiritually impoverish ourselves. Independent couples may spend their entire marriage spiritually sick, or even worse, the marriage may end in divorce.

Who are your wise counselors who help you achieve victory? Have you and your mate considered this question? Are you willing to allow the church to be involved in your marriage as Christ desires?

In Conflict, We Must Immediately Seek Resolution

Another important principle that must be applied in marriage is to seek to resolve conflict as soon as possible. Both mates should agree to this principle early in the relationship. Paul said in Ephesians 4:26-27: ”In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”

Paul says to get rid of anger before the day is over, because if we don’t, it will give Satan a foothold. What does this mean? “Foothold” is war terminology. It means that unforgiveness and anger will give Satan a door to continually attack a person or a relationship.

We learn more about this from the Parable of the Merciless Servant in Matthew 18:23-35. In this story, a servant owed his master a great amount of money, so he begged for mercy. The master forgave him the entire debt. However, this servant had a fellow servant who owed him a smaller debt. The servant with the debt pleaded for mercy, but the servant, who had been forgiven, instead threw him in prison. When the master heard about this, he became very angry and tossed the servant, whom he had previously forgiven, into prison to be tortured by the jailors. Listen to what Christ said to his disciples about this parable: “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart” (Matthew 18:35).

Christ said to the disciples that if they didn’t forgive others from the heart, God would do the same to them. Who are these torturers? No doubt, they refer to Satan and his demons (cf. 1 Sam 16:14, 1 Cor 5:5, 1 Tim 1:20). This is the consequence for harboring anger and unforgiveness towards others. If God has forgiven us of every sin we committed and will commit, how can we justifiably hold grudges against others, especially our spouse? When we choose to hold anger and bitterness, God hands us over to the enemy for discipline.

For many couples, because of their disobedience to God in holding bitterness and anger, their marriage has become a playground for the enemy. He lies to them; he accuses them. He tempts them to go outside of the marriage, and he also may bring sickness and other types of consequences for their rebellion (cf. Lk 13:11-16Job 2:4-7).

To make this situation even worse, Scripture says when we are walking in unforgiveness, God will not forgive us (Matt 6:15) and he won’t hear our prayers. Peter called for husbands to be considerate of their wives and to treat them with respect so that nothing would hinder their prayers (1 Peter 3:7). A marriage where the mates hold bitterness and anger towards one another is a marriage where prayer is powerless, which opens a greater door for the enemy to attack and bring destruction.

When in conflict, we must seek resolution immediately. Certainly, we can’t force somebody to forgive us or to desire to work things out. However, we can do as much as possible to live at peace with someone. Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

Are you holding a grudge against your mate? How is God calling you to seek resolution?

In Conflict, We Must Be Willing to Sacrifice

Intrinsic to the Christian life is sacrifice. We follow a Savior who left heaven and all the worship offered to him there to come to earth as a servant and die for the sins of the world. True followers of Christ should be known by sacrifice. In fact, Christ said that one could not be his disciple without taking up his cross daily (Lk 9:23). This life of a sacrifice should be especially displayed when in conflict. Paul said this to the Philippian church who was struggling with an internal conflict (cf. Phil 4:1-3):

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Philippians 2:3-5

In the context of a call to unity (cf. Phil 2:1-2), Paul said the Philippians should “do nothing out of selfish ambition”. The primary reason couples struggle with discord is because of selfishness. One person wants this, while the other wants that. However, Paul said to do nothing out of selfish ambition. In conflict, one must ask, “Is this desire something God wants, as displayed in his Word, or is this my preference?” Most conflicts are over selfish preferences instead of over something that genuinely matters, such as loving God and loving others, the two greatest commandments (cf. Matt 22:36-40).

Instead of being driven by self, Paul said to “in humility” consider others better than ourselves and to seek the interest of others. In conflict, one must ask, “How can I seek my spouse’s betterment or desires over mine?” Essentially, Paul was calling the Philippian church to live a life of sacrifice in order to be unified (v. 2). This sacrifice was further magnified when he said, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (v. 5). In the rest of the text, he described how Christ gave up his rights as God, took the form of a servant, died on the cross, and how God exalted him for his sacrifice (v. 6-9). This is the mind that should be in Christians, helping them to walk in unity with their brothers and sisters. And this is the mind that should be seen in every marriage, enabling them to walk in unity instead of discord (cf. Eph 5:25).

Christian couples should resolve their conflicts by caring more for their spouse’s desires than their own. They should humble themselves even as Christ did. He gave up his comfort and his rights to serve us.

How is God calling you to sacrifice in order to resolve conflict or a potential conflict in marriage? Is he calling you to give up a friendship that is a bad influence or causes discord? Is he calling you to help more around the house, to care more for the kids, to start participating in something your spouse enjoys but you don’t, to spend more time with your spouse instead of doing something else? How can you demonstrate Christ’s sacrifice in your marriage? Sacrifice is the secret to resolving conflict, while selfishness is the catalyst of conflict.

In Conflict, We Must Love Our Spouse Deeply and Cover His or Her Sins

Finally, when in conflict, we must love our spouse and cover his or her sins. First Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” The Greek word for “deeply” is an athletic word used of muscles stretching or straining.

This is a rich word-picture of our love during conflict. In the same way a muscle must be strained and stretched to develop and become stronger, God often strengthens our love through conflict and difficulty with our spouse. Even though this stretching hurts, it actually results in a greater capacity to love. Therefore, couples, who deeply love and cover one another’s sins while in conflict, gain the ability to love more deeply. Certainly, this must be an encouragement as we stretch our love to cover our spouse’s sins while in conflict.

Stretching our love will often mean overlooking and forgetting the failures of our spouse. First Corinthians 13:5 says love “keeps no record of wrongs.” God will call us to not even bring up some issues. While others, he will call us to firmly speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15) and work towards a resolution, especially when it involves sin.

How is God calling you to love your spouse deeply and cover his or her sins in order to resolve conflict?

Conclusion

Because sin became part of the human nature in the Fall, we are prone to conflict, even conflict with those we love most. For that reason, we must wisely prepare for conflict because it will happen in the marriage union. We can resolve conflict by:

    1. Having the right attitude: one of joyful expectation, instead of wrong attitudes.
    2. Developing perseverance instead of quitting physically or emotionally.
    3. Sowing good seeds to produce a harvest of righteousness in our marriage.
    4. Talking to our spouse first before talking with others.
    5. Seeking wise counselors to help us navigate conflict.
    6. Seeking to resolve conflict immediately to prevent opening a door for the devil.
    7. Sacrificing our rights and desires for our spouse.
    8. Loving our spouse deeply and covering his or her sin.

Conflict Resolution in Marriage Homework

Answer the questions, then discuss together.

1. What was new or stood out to you in this session? In what ways were you challenged or encouraged? Were there any points/thoughts that you did not agree with?

2. Most couples usually argue over similar topics. These are called “triggers”. This might be when the woman shops, the man watches TV, somebody doesn’t pick up after him or herself, etc.

Write down all the common triggers for arguments in your relationship. Why do you think these triggers commonly cause you or your mate to get angry?

3. In the session, we talked about not sowing negative seeds. Which negative seeds do you typically sow when in conflict (i.e. withdrawal, criticizing, complaining, seeking revenge, seeking to win arguments, etc.)? What about your spouse? How have you seen these negative seeds produce negative fruit? How can you sow positive seeds instead to reap positive fruit?

4. Solomon said in the multitude of advisers there is victory (Prov 11:14). Who would you talk to as a couple if you were having marital problems? If you were to choose a mentor couple for your marriage (someone to ask questions, to talk to about problems or successes, or even meet with regularly), who would you choose?

*Read the “Friends of the Opposite Sex?” article and answer the following questions:

5. What are your thoughts about the Chaplain’s warning to the sailors about relationships with the opposite sex?

6. How will you handle relationships with the opposite sex? What specific things will you do in order to protect your marriage from open doors?

7. Do you have any other thoughts or concerns about this issue?

8. After completing this session, how do you feel God is calling you to pray for your marriage? Spend some time praying.

Continue with Foundation 5a: Friends of the Opposite Sex in Marriage.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, help us to look to Your word to lead and guide us in conflict resolution in marriage. There will be storms and conflict. Let us not turn to the wrong counselors or the ways of men for how we are to resolve conflict. Let it draw us nearer to each other and to You as we strengthen ourselves by overcoming difficulty together in a Biblical manner.  Amen.  

 Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

What Did Jesus Mean When He Promised an Abundant Life?

Today I am sharing some thoughts around abundant life which I found on GotQuestions.org. While we always want to test everything against scripture, I find that this is a well laid out site that has generally sound answers to many questions.

What did Jesus mean when He promised an abundant life?  (GotQuestions.org)

In John 10:10, Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (ESV). Unlike a thief, the Lord Jesus does not come for selfish reasons. He comes to give, not to get. He comes that people may have life in Him that is meaningful, purposeful, joyful, and eternal. We receive this abundant life the moment we accept Him as our Savior.

This word “abundant” in the Greek is perisson, meaning “exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, more, superfluous, a quantity so abundant as to be considerably more than what one would expect or anticipate.” In short, Jesus promises us a life far better than we could ever imagine, a concept reminiscent of 1 Corinthians 2:9: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” The apostle Paul tells us that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, and He does it by His power, a power that is at work within us if we belong to Him (Ephesians 3:20).

Before we begin to have visions of lavish homes, expensive cars, worldwide cruises, and more money than we know what to do with, we need to pause and think about what Jesus teaches regarding this abundant life. The Bible tells us that wealth, prestige, position, and power in this world are not God’s priorities for us (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). In terms of economic, academic, and social status, most Christians do not come from the privileged classes. Clearly, then, abundant life does not consist of an abundance of material things. If that were the case, Jesus would have been the wealthiest of men. But just the opposite is true (Matthew 8:20).

Abundant life is eternal life, a life that begins the moment we come to Christ and receive Him as Savior, and goes on throughout all eternity. The biblical definition of life — specifically eternal life — is provided by Jesus Himself: “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3). This definition makes no mention of length of days, health, prosperity, family, or occupation. As a matter of fact, the only thing it does mention is knowledge of God, which is the key to a truly abundant life.

What is the abundant life? First, abundance is spiritual abundance, not material. In fact, God is not overly concerned with the physical circumstances of our lives. He assures us that we need not worry about what we will eat or wear (Matthew 6:25-32Philippians 4:19). Physical blessings may or may not be part of a God-centered life; neither our wealth nor our poverty is a sure indication of our standing with God. Solomon had all the material blessings available to a man yet found it all to be meaningless (Ecclesiastes 5:10-15). Paul, on the other hand, was content in whatever physical circumstances he found himself (Philippians 4:11-12).

Second, eternal life, the life a Christian is truly concerned with, is not determined by duration but by a relationship with God. This is why, once we are converted and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are said to have eternal life already (1 John 5:11-13), though not, of course, in its fullness. Length of life on earth is not synonymous with abundant life.

Finally, a Christian’s life revolves around “grow[ing] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). This teaches us that the abundant life is a continual process of learning, practicing, and maturing, as well as failing, recovering, adjusting, enduring, and overcoming, because, in our present state, “we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror” (1 Corinthians 13:12). One day we will see God face to face, and we will know Him completely as we will be known completely (1 Corinthians 13:12). We will no longer struggle with sin and doubt. This will be the ultimately fulfilled abundant life.

Although we are naturally desirous of material things, as Christians our perspective on life must be revolutionized (Romans 12:2). Just as we become new creations when we come to Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), so must our understanding of “abundance” be transformed. True abundant life consists of an abundance of love, joy, peace, and the rest of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), not an abundance of “stuff.” It consists of life that is eternal, and, therefore, our interest is in the eternal, not the temporal. Paul admonishes us, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:2-3).

When I think of the reasons why Jesus came, two come to mind. One is to live the perfect example we are to try to follow. The other is that our sins would be forgiven, and we can be reconciled to God. So then, I also conclude that if Jesus came so that we could live abundantly, that these two things are part of the abundant life. We are set free from bondage to sin so that we can walk in the ways of the LORD with the Spirit dwelling inside of us. Who the son sets free is free indeed!

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You that Yeshua came that we may have abundant life. Help us to walk closely with You and to achieve that abundance. Let us not miss out on the best life that You have planned for us. Help us to renew our minds and walk in intimacy with You through the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us. Help us to live our lives full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Help us draw near to one another as fellow disciples and to You as our Lord and Father. In the name of Yeshua we pray. Amen. 

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Love Does Not Demand Its Own Way

Paul defined love very well in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. It is not nearly the same as how the world or many Christians define love. Far too often we talk of love as a noun… a passive thing. How much better to think of it as a verb… an action we choose to do! We talk of falling in or out of love as if something random is happening. Love is a choice, not a “warm and fuzzy” feeling!

It is applicable for spouses but also for parents with their children, amongst family, friends and even applies to those we do not know yet. Think about how we can show the love of Jesus Christ for all those we encounter in our busy lives.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud. or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance

Think about how we can show the love of Jesus Christ for all those we encounter in our busy lives. It may even be as simple as a kind word or just being friendly even when things go wrong. When they notice you are different, give the credit to Jesus!

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to show love to others. Help me to exhibit and reflect Your love to those near to me and those whom I may not know well. Help me not to be entirely focused on myself or just those closest to me. Help change my heart so that this is a natural reaction for me. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ


Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Treat Others How You Want Yahweh to Treat You

The book of Mark is like a highlight reel. There is a lot packed in each chapter and not all of it has a lot of background context. Fortunately, if we are willing to invest a bit of time, we can cross reference with the other gospels and help to ensure we understand more completely.

Yeshua warned His disciples that the standard of measure they would use, is what our Father will use to judge them. Keep this in mind when reading Luke 6. If we first read Luke 6 strictly from the perspective of how we should treat others, we may tend to think that it is a very high bar and maybe find it a it tough to wrap our minds around. I get a slightly different perspective when I read it from the perspective of this is how I would like others to treat me, including my heavenly Father!

We are to engage others using a very challenging and selfless standard and in turn trust that the LORD will have mercy and grace on us accordingly.

Mark 4:24

 24And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides.

Luke 6:27-38

    27“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29“Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. 30“Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. 31“Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. 32“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33“If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34“If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. 35“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 36“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

      37“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. 38“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

The closing line says it all… we are to treat others by the same standard we wish for God to use in His relationship with us and also how we would like others to treat us. Take time to dwell on that and truly allow yourself the humility to accept where you are not living up to the right standard. I have quite a bit of room to grow in this area. There is more grace and mercy I can pour out to others in my relationship with them… more love… more giving. I pray the Holy Spirit helps me and I know He will, because He always does. Praise God He is so compassionate and loving and filled with mercy and grace in His relationship with me. Let me be so to others.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please lead me in how I treat others. Help me to be selfless and filled with mercy, compassion, and grace. Thank You for the mercy, compassion, and grace You have for me and others. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ


Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

More than Just Names and Faces

I am not a great student of the genealogies, but I do try to reflect them and I try to find value and meaning in them as I read through scripture. It is easy to just glaze over sections of names that are hard to pronounce for us. Each on of these names represents not just a character in a story, but a real life person who had hopes and dreams like each of us do. I find it overwhelming at times to really reflect on that in life as it passes by around me.

Think of everyone you meet or pass by, even in a car or in a crowd. They are not “extras” in a movie about your own life. Each is living out their own life which is as important to them as ours is to each of us. Try to take on the perspective of others when you see the action going on around you or are reading in the scriptures about these generations of God’s people.

1 Chronicles 7

Genealogy from Issachar

      1Now the sons of Issachar were four: Tola, Puah, Jashub and Shimron. 2The sons of Tola were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam and Samuel, heads of their fathers’ households. The sons of Tola were mighty men of valor in their generations; their number in the days of David was 22,600. 3The son of Uzzi was Izrahiah. And the sons of Izrahiah were Michael, Obadiah, Joel, Isshiah; all five of them were chief men. 4With them by their generations according to their fathers’ households were 36,000 troops of the army for war, for they had many wives and sons. 5Their relatives among all the families of Issachar were mighty men of valor, enrolled by genealogy, in all 87,000.

Descendants of Benjamin

      6The sons of Benjamin were three: Bela and Becher and Jediael. 7The sons of Bela were five: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth and Iri. They were heads of fathers’ households, mighty men of valor, and were 22,034 enrolled by genealogy. 8The sons of Becher were Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth and Alemeth. All these were the sons of Becher. 9They were enrolled by genealogy, according to their generations, heads of their fathers’ households, 20,200 mighty men of valor. 10The son of Jediael was Bilhan. And the sons of Bilhan were Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish and Ahishahar. 11All these were sons of Jediael, according to the heads of their fathers’ households, 17,200 mighty men of valor, who were ready to go out with the army to war. 12Shuppim and Huppim were the sons of Ir; Hushim was the son of Aher.

Sons of Naphtali

      13The sons of Naphtali were Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.

Descendants of Manasseh

      14The sons of Manasseh were Asriel, whom his Aramean concubine bore; she bore Machir the father of Gilead. 15Machir took a wife for Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister’s name was Maacah. And the name of the second was Zelophehad, and Zelophehad had daughters. 16Maacah the wife of Machir bore a son, and she named him Peresh; and the name of his brother was Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rakem. 17The son of Ulam was Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh. 18His sister Hammolecheth bore Ishhod and Abiezer and Mahlah. 19The sons of Shemida were Ahian and Shechem and Likhi and Aniam.

Descendants of Ephraim

      20The sons of Ephraim were Shuthelah and Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son, 21Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead whom the men of Gath who were born in the land killed, because they came down to take their livestock. 22Their father Ephraim mourned many days, and his relatives came to comfort him. 23Then he went in to his wife, and she conceived and bore a son, and he named him Beriah, because misfortune had come upon his house. 24His daughter was Sheerah, who built lower and upper Beth-horon, also Uzzen-sheerah. 25Rephah was his son along with Resheph, Telah his son, Tahan his son, 26Ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son, 27Non his son and Joshua his son.

      28Their possessions and settlements were Bethel with its towns, and to the east Naaran, and to the west Gezer with its towns, and Shechem with its towns as far as Ayyah with its towns, 29and along the borders of the sons of Manasseh, Beth-shean with its towns, Taanach with its towns, Megiddo with its towns, Dor with its towns. In these lived the sons of Joseph the son of Israel.

Descendants of Asher

      30The sons of Asher were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi and Beriah, and Serah their sister. 31The sons of Beriah were Heber and Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith. 32Heber became the father of Japhlet, Shomer and Hotham, and Shua their sister. 33The sons of Japhlet were Pasach, Bimhal and Ashvath. These were the sons of Japhlet. 34The sons of Shemer were Ahi and Rohgah, Jehubbah and Aram. 35The sons of his brother Helem were Zophah, Imna, Shelesh and Amal. 36The sons of Zophah were Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri and Imrah, 37Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran and Beera. 38The sons of Jether were Jephunneh, Pispa and Ara. 39The sons of Ulla were Arah, Hanniel and Rizia. 40All these were the sons of Asher, heads of the fathers’ houses, choice and mighty men of valor, heads of the princes. And the number of them enrolled by genealogy for service in war was 26,000 men.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to see others through Your eyes. Help me to see them as individuals that have value to You and to others. Let me not remain focused in on my own view on the world as if everyone else is simply an extra in a story about my life. Help me to have compassion on them and understanding. Help me to love them and be friendly and reach out to them. Guide me to be a light to them to draw them to You. Help me to treat them as I want to be treated. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.