Conflict Management - Matthew 12:25

Matthew 12:25           Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.”

            Division and conflict ruin families, businesses, churches, and nations. Whenever two groups are pitted against each other, those who get caught in the middle end up being the real victims. For instance, in a hostile divorce, the children end up emotionally scarred for life. In a church conflict, things are never the same and old wounds get re-opened every time there is a difference of opinion. And among nations, where hostility arises, war usually follows and millions of people are displaced, ruined, and decimated.

            When Christ was challenged by the religious leaders of His day about His healing powers, He knew that they spoke out of envy and were trying to shut down His ministry. He confronted their lies, which negatively impacted the people, in order to set the record straight. He also reminded His critics that in causing a conflict they would end up destroying themselves, especially if they promoted false messages and expressed incorrect assumptions.

            In a divided community, Jesus came to restore God’s Kingdom among them and reunite the people under the influence of the Holy Spirit. He wanted them to embrace a new understanding of God, which would heal their divisions and stop their conflicts. Sadly, however, His words went unheeded because those in control were afraid to give up their power over the people. It was left to His real followers to carry on His message, long after He was gone, and take the Gospel to other nations around the world.

            Perhaps you are in the midst of a conflict. Maybe it’s a family issue, a business concern, or even a global worry for you. Whatever is causing it, seek Christ’s peace first in your heart and then reach across the barrier or the gap that the conflict has created. It may be just the solution both of you are looking for, but you won’t know or realize it until you try.

Points to ponder

What conflicts are currently going on in my life? What is Jesus asking me to do about it?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we call You the Prince of Peace and the Healer of the nations. Let Your Holy Spirit come into our present circumstances and help us to remedy any current conflict in our lives. Be with us and bless this day. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Today’s image is John’s latest Martin Luther King drawing called ‘Tasking the Dream.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: MLK2017.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. The church website can be viewed at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Church devotions: Facebook Blues - Colossians 3:8

Today’s readings are : 1 Samuel 7:10-17 and Colossians 3:1-11

Colossians 3:8                        But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

I love Facebook and I hate Facebook – how does this occur?

I love Facebook because it keeps me updated with most of my family and friends. I love to read of their experiences, their feelings, and see photographs of events or vacations. I love it when they post great quotes or funny cartoons. I love having trivial, humorous, and even some deep conversations with people from all over the world. These things make Facebook a pleasurable experience.

I hate Facebook because I sometimes get embroiled in arguments about politics, religion, and current events, even with people that I don’t know. I hate Facebook when people post horrible pictures or sleazy photographs that don’t need to be seen. I hate Facebook when folks that I love use bad language or curse and think it is okay to do that. I hate Facebook when people use images, quotes, or links that promote ill feelings, divisiveness, or outright rudeness.

So I have this love/hate relationship with Facebook, but I have the same feelings about most communicative digital experiences these days – whether I’m using browsers and search engines, web articles or blog posts, or even e-mails and texts.

Christians should be very discerning people. I think if Paul was writing today’s chosen verse he would have emphasized to all of us to think twice about what we write or post from our laptops, computers, or mobile devices. We, of all people, should apply different standards and make sure that our contributions to Facebook conversations and posts, etc., do not include anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language.

If we do so, then we should also be aware that we are choosing to act sinfully and are, in fact, letting Christ down completely.

Questions for personal reflection

Are my Facebook posts worthy of Christ? If I was sending a digital message to Jesus, how would I word it differently?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we are all too human at times, and yet You command us to lead better lives. Forgive us when we fail to loyally witness to You in all of our communications, especially those that are seen by many people. Help us to infuse Christian standards in all that we seek to express or communicate. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor at Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask a question about today’s message, please send an email to John at traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest winter drawings called “Snowfall at Glades Creek.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/12057224316_5fae2dedbd_b.jpg

Devotion - Changing Swords - Isaiah 2:4

Isaiah 2:4        He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

Two weeks ago I was at a conference in Duluth, Georgia. It was taking place at the world renowned Crosspointe Church and I felt refreshed and renewed in my spirit. I enjoyed the worship and the preaching, the testimonies and faith sharing. It was a very uplifting time and I am now looking forward to next year’s conference.

On the last day of the conference, I was listening to a conversation by one of the deacons at the church. He was explaining to a visitor that the church building used to be a Sidewinder missile factory thirty years ago during President Reagan’s administration. After the taking down of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent thawing of the Cold War, the factory was no longer needed. Eventually, the growing Crosspointe congregation bought the building and converted it into an amazing church space, where thousands of people gather each week to praise the Lord. Instead of a place of death and destruction, it has become a house of peace and prayer. The Lord has truly turned swords into plowshares!

In our own lives, we go through times of conflict and argument, disagreement and trouble. We fall out with family and friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Our hearts become hardened and our tongues fire verbal missiles that are meant to hurt, anger, or upset other people.

God wants to turn the swords of our spirits into plowshares of peace. As always, He has the power to make those changes, but we need to begin the process by swallowing our pride, humbling ourselves, and acting upon God’s guidance.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace to our planet and the Healer of the Nations. We pray that You will help us overcome the conflicts and disputes in our lives by leading us with Your Spirit to resolve the differences and disagreements we have with others. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, or ask a question about it, please send John an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest stained glass designs of a Siochain – a Celtic Peace Cross. If you would like to view a larger version of it, please click on the following link: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6113973739_53680e29ee_b.jpg