Encourage One AnotherIf you are feeling overwhelmed as I have been, read on~The Lord has been teaching me about putting down my flesh! It's not all about me; other's needs come before mine. It's a concept that is easy to talk about, but terribly difficult to do. I think of Christ and how He always put other's needs before His own."When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick." ~Matthew 14: 13-14,Jesus's friend John the Baptist had just been beheaded. I am sure that all He wanted to do at that moment was to be alone to mourn the loss of His friend, but He is so compassionate and kind that He put the others needs in front of His own.Our Lord, in His grieving, cared for and healed the crowds that were there. Praise God!We are all wounded in one way or another – wounded and in pain on varying levels. But to follow the call of our Savior, we must look outside of ourselves to the needs of others and allow Christ's love to radiate out despite our weaknesses.Sometimes our weakness and vulnerability makes us especially powerful as we allow Christ to flow and work through us. Others can relate to us, let down their guard, and open up.Isn't that what Paul, the apostle meant when he said, "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."? ~2 Corinthians 12: 10by Jacqueline~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me willlive even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.Do you believe this?" ~John 11:25-26
15 Resolves for Maintaining Spiritual Balance in Severe Interpersonal Conflicts The pain of interpersonal conflict may seem too acute to bear. Sometimes we see these conflicts erupt suddenly among families, or between church members, or at work or school. They may involve serious allegations that tend to rip people apart in ways that seem irreparable. In these most severe ruptures of confidence, when the necrosis of sin is eating up the lives of those involved, is it possible to rise above and maintain a spiritual composure? Certainly that must be so. But we have to apply biblical principles ruthlessly, without wavering. Sin must be confronted when a person is truly abusive to you. If you are in such a relationship, seek counsel from a pastor or Christian counselor. Don't feel ashamed to deal with the issue. It will be the best thing for you and the abusive person. God has clearly stated: "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault" (Mt. 18:15). What follows in Matth...
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