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God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.2 Cor 5:21 |
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| Archived Manna: | |
Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Friday, August 14, 2026
Today's Passage : Today's Passage :Being of One Mind Bible Verse :Philippians 4:1-3 "herefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony [literally, to think the same thing] in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. " Message:
Verse 4:1 could just have easily been placed as the last verse in Chapter 3, where Paul so strongly urges us to focus on the cross and the church, and to tear our eyes away from the happenings on earth. He transitions from the general to a specific situation in Philippi, where people (being human) need to implement his words in a particular interpersonal squabble.
Euodia and Syntyche are female names. These are two women — and by all indications, both of them blessed and sanctified by God in their work for Christ — who have a difference of opinion, serious enough for Paul to include in his letter. They must be fairly prominent in the church. But they have some sort of personal feud stemming from a difference of opinion. Paul doesn't tell us the problem, but he does imply that neither of them is “right” and neither is “wrong.”
Eater in illuminated Bible
I have certainly let my ego, my pride of my own opinion or knowledge, interfere with God’s work and put me at cross-purposes with another Christian. How many times? Pride of opinion is a terrible negative force in Christianity. It literally tears churches apart. We see hundreds and thousands of schisms, usually ending in one group of people leaving to form a “new church.”
Yet, clearly, all of the parties involved are saved in Christ. Paul tells us this explicitly, using an old Hebraic expression, “whose names are in the book of life.”
There is only one church. People in it may have different ideas, but it is one reason we have the Bible; to help us “think the same thing.” To take pride in other opinions we might hold and to hold these ideas so strongly that we separate ourselves from other saints involves the sin of pride. Very often, power and politics and ego are the root cause.
Here is an example so ludicrous that we can all see its fault clearly. In Russia, in the 17th and 18th century, there arose a dispute over such matters as whether the sign of the cross should be made clockwise or counterclockwise, and which fingers should be used. The politicians got involved (largely in the roles of bishops, metropolitans, archbishops, and many other hierarchical offices invented by humans). Turmoil ensued. The church was divided yet again. A few people were executed. (Read more.)
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If we concentrate on the cross and the importance of serving our brothers and sisters, we will turn away from our opinions and our egos, and the ensuing anger and splintering of the church they cause. Let us always remember one of our memory verses, “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters Romans 14:1.” And again, “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:13 .)
Meditation : Prayer : Oh God Almighty, send me Your light and truth, to keep this day and all the days of my life. And may Your mighty hand protect me, and all my brothers and sisters who have joined me in prayer this day, blessing our homes and our lives. Amen. |
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