Weekly Devotional - LuAnn
Contemporary Corinthians
Acts 18:9-10 “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to Me.”
Have you ever been in a situation where you hear a conversation that turns to religion and you ache to join in and share your faith? You hate conflict but your body is pushing you to talk and your head is full of thoughts…. But you don’t speak. Meanwhile what is being discussed is not how God or the church should be viewed. You go home sad and even more so mad at yourself for not speaking up. Yip- Me Too! I still think of missed opportunities.
In the sermon Sunday we learn that the most unchristian practice in Corinth was the Division in Gods people. Was I the only one that went to thoughts of all the division we still have today? My own family has division, my neighbors, friends, all of the major groups in my life have different opinions, but why does it have to come to such division?
Luckily for us in 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Paul gives us a guidebook on how God would like us to act, as Pastor Pete says, as “A Contemporary Christian”. Over the years of being in the bible, studying it and earnestly practicing what it says, I have learned to hear- not just listen, but to HEAR and acknowledge an opinion that is different then mine. I have experienced first hand what it means to not be heard, and that is hard. When one’s opinion is not recognized and dismissed it can lead to anger, depression, feeling humiliate, and most likely a form of shut down. This may start a slow drift of moving away from God (and us) when we appear so judgmental- though we profess that we are Christians.
Hebrews 2:1 “So we must listen very carefully to the TRUTH we have heard, or we may drift away from it.” As the devil is all around us causing doubt and strife, we can shut him down with knowing the truth about God and being able to carry ourselves with humility, and respecting what others have to say. The greatest tool we have is the truth of what is written in the bible, this is the foundation. Knowing how to handle ourselves in a tough conversation, 1st and 2nd Corinthians can be your guide. Find and refer to scripture that backs up what you say but speak with kindness. We all are still learning and growing. There is no better feeling than having a good debate about beliefs and sharing what our amazing God has done.
I end with this great question from Sunday’s sermon when Pastor Pete asked- How do we avoid judging the people in our life that Jesus wants to use to help US?
Peace Prayers Love -
LuAnn Kleemeyer
Acts 18:9-10 “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to Me.”
Have you ever been in a situation where you hear a conversation that turns to religion and you ache to join in and share your faith? You hate conflict but your body is pushing you to talk and your head is full of thoughts…. But you don’t speak. Meanwhile what is being discussed is not how God or the church should be viewed. You go home sad and even more so mad at yourself for not speaking up. Yip- Me Too! I still think of missed opportunities.
In the sermon Sunday we learn that the most unchristian practice in Corinth was the Division in Gods people. Was I the only one that went to thoughts of all the division we still have today? My own family has division, my neighbors, friends, all of the major groups in my life have different opinions, but why does it have to come to such division?
Luckily for us in 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Paul gives us a guidebook on how God would like us to act, as Pastor Pete says, as “A Contemporary Christian”. Over the years of being in the bible, studying it and earnestly practicing what it says, I have learned to hear- not just listen, but to HEAR and acknowledge an opinion that is different then mine. I have experienced first hand what it means to not be heard, and that is hard. When one’s opinion is not recognized and dismissed it can lead to anger, depression, feeling humiliate, and most likely a form of shut down. This may start a slow drift of moving away from God (and us) when we appear so judgmental- though we profess that we are Christians.
Hebrews 2:1 “So we must listen very carefully to the TRUTH we have heard, or we may drift away from it.” As the devil is all around us causing doubt and strife, we can shut him down with knowing the truth about God and being able to carry ourselves with humility, and respecting what others have to say. The greatest tool we have is the truth of what is written in the bible, this is the foundation. Knowing how to handle ourselves in a tough conversation, 1st and 2nd Corinthians can be your guide. Find and refer to scripture that backs up what you say but speak with kindness. We all are still learning and growing. There is no better feeling than having a good debate about beliefs and sharing what our amazing God has done.
I end with this great question from Sunday’s sermon when Pastor Pete asked- How do we avoid judging the people in our life that Jesus wants to use to help US?
Peace Prayers Love -
LuAnn Kleemeyer
Recent
Archive
2025
January
March
April
May
2024
March
June
July
August
2023
March
Categories
no categories