Thursday Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6
Key Verse: Ephesians 4:6
6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in you all.
Key Verse: Ephesians 4:6
6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in you all.
Devotion:
It really is so easy to become a Christian, but unless you focus on God, it is not as easy to continue living as a Christian... Each one of us continues to face things every day that will (as we feel) force us to do things that we don't want to do. We feel like we get trapped into doing things and then we give in. It does not take too long before we are caught up in something we don't want to do, or we are are giving in to those around us just to keep the peace. Why? Because we have probably lost focus on Christ in our lives!
It really is so easy to become a Christian, but unless you focus on God, it is not as easy to continue living as a Christian... Each one of us continues to face things every day that will (as we feel) force us to do things that we don't want to do. We feel like we get trapped into doing things and then we give in. It does not take too long before we are caught up in something we don't want to do, or we are are giving in to those around us just to keep the peace. Why? Because we have probably lost focus on Christ in our lives!
We have to work against our pride first of all to stop ourselves from giving in to those temptations. It is not the temptations that we normally have to watch out for, but our pride that will not let us give in to simply saying no. We are faced with situations that stop us from doing what is right simply because we don't want to have to say that we are wrong or face up to someone asking us why we are not doing something – our pride keeps us away... When we are provoked, we need to step back and say no, not plunder in with words before we think!
It is by lowliness (not loneliness) humility, not just for the second but continuing in meekness that we are able to say no when it counts. By taking a step back from a potential argument and saying that we don't want to get involved. We need to step back from people trying to offend us. We need to be willing to forgive and not hold grudges. If we would not be willing to forgive ourselves for things we do, how do we expect anyone else to forgive us for those things we do. Turn the situation on yourself and ask how you would rather it be resolved if it were someone else doing it to you...
We are all God's creation. We only have one God. It is about time that we started acting like it and not fighting over things we are not meant to control..
Points to Ponder:
Do you get provoked easily?
Do you get provoked easily?
How often do you think you provoke others?