#GOFAMINTDailyDevotion Fri. 3/11/2017
Quarter’s Theme: CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN THE CHURCH
UNIT 3 – Steps To Resolving Conflict In The Church (Lessons 8-12)
LOYALTY CAMPAIGN MONTHS
Suggested Hymns: G.H.B. 6, 9
Devotional Reading: MATT. 18:15-17
Topic For Adults
DON’T BOTTLE-UP RESENTMENT, SPEAK OUT
Topic For Youths
DON’T FAKE IT, BE REAL
Topic For Intermediates
SAY YOUR MIND
Lesson Scriptures
GEN. 33:1-10; ACTS 15:1-2, 6-7; GAL. 2:11-14; EPH. 4:15,25,29
5/11/2017 LESSON 10
AVOID PRETENCE, BE REAL
MEMORY VERSE
Therefore, putting away lying, let each one of you speak truth with his neighbour, for we are members of one another (Eph. 4:25) NKJV
DAILY DEVOTIONAL READING
Fri. 3/11/2017
Don’t Pretend It’s Alright
Matt. 5:21-24
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother then come and offer your gift”. Giving is an essential part of our worship, without which our worship is incomplete. Hence, maintaining a heart devoid of contentions towards one another is crucial for an acceptable worship. Jesus gave a condition for which giving may be postponed – where there is an unresolved conflict or malice between you and your brother. Don’t pretend that all is well. You can’t fool God with the amount of offering you’re giving, neither can you with your dances and cheerfulness. What if you’re about to drop your huge tithe or cheque at the altar and suddenly you realized that the source was ill-gotten? The same rule applies; go and make restitution first. In fact it is a stricter condition here, ‘if you remember that your brother has something against you’ not ‘if you have something against your brother’, like some often quote this scripture. If the latter happens, you shouldn’t go as far as getting to the altar before making restitution. But if the former is the case, how would you know? You may need the Holy Spirit to tell you or your brother come and tell you by himself. You may also know when you observe a strained relationship with your brother. Just because there is conflict doesn’t mean relationships have to end. We need to see conflict as an opportunity to reveal the work of Christ in our lives. Conflicts remind us of our need for God’s hand in every part of our lives.
Point of Emphasis: Conflict doesn’t mean relationships have to end, it only reminds us that we need God for every relationship to work well.
Prayer Point: Holy Spirit, help me to maintain a heart devoid of offence towards others so that my sacrifices will be acceptable unto God.
