Saturday, 12th June, 2021
Bible Reading: Matthew 18:15-17, John 17: 21-23
Memory Verse: I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. John 17:21 (NLT)
If there is any virtue of the fruit of the Spirit which we as mortal men must imbibe, it is the virtue of tolerance. Imagine a particular people whose origin isn’t from your tribe but have been living with you for over 100 years. They speak your native language and theirs, they eat your food and theirs, and sometimes, they even inter-marry with your own people. Why then tell them to pack out and go to their home land even if there are some bad eggs amongst them? Why throw the baby out with the water bath? Simply put a structure in place that would check mate their excesses. Sometimes ago, two warring community met to dialogue but they ended up fighting each other. What legacy are they passing to their posterity (unborn generation)? Certain things shouldn’t be named amongst us. Until two warring parties sit down to talk on mutual terms, there won’t be a way forward. Greed, selfishness, pride, superiority mentality complex, unforgiving spirit, etc., are some of the reasons why conflict resolution seems a very difficult task.
Furthermore, marrying the will of God for your life in marriage isn’t a license away from the school of conflict. The devil do attack Christian homes too. The humanity in our divinity which is yet to be totally crucified on the Cross also pops up once a while. But, by effective dialogue, forgiving spirit, tolerance, and self control, under the leading of the Holy Spirit, conflicts can be put to check before they become full blown wild fire. When advising a young Christian brother, his mentor said, “When she blows hot, you must keep calm.” When issues are nipped at the bud right early, conflicts won’t develop into crisis. Let’s live together as one. “Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord of host” (Isaiah 1:18). Kill the fire of conflict now before it becomes a crisis.
Quote: Life cannot subsist in society but by reciprocal concessions – Johnson Quote
Prophetic Decree: Thy will be done on earth, thy kingdom come, O Lord.
Prayer Focus
1. Author of peace, hallow be thy name in all the earth.
2. We come against the spirit of ethnic clashes on the face of the Earth.
3. We come against the spirit of murder, bloodshed, and nepotism, in Jesus name.
4. Jesus, just as You and Your Father are one, help mankind to live in peaceful co-existence, in Jesus name.
5. I rebuke anti-marital spirits in my home, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4