MFM DAILY DEVOTIONAL-RESOLVING CONFLICTS (III)

   Mountain Top Life DAILY DEVOTIONAL

RESOLVING CONFLICTS (III)

26^TH , FEBRUARY 2022

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 39, Exodus 40, Mark 4:30-41, Mark 9:2-32, Psalm 26:1-12

FIRE SCRIPTURE:  Philemon 1

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, 

2 to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 

5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 

6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in [b]you in Christ Jesus. 

7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

8 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, 

9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ— 

10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, 

11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.

12 I am sending him [g]back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 

13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 

14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.

15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 

16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. 

18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. 

19 I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. 

20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.

21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 

22 But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 

24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

ALSO READ: DCLM DAILY MANNA FOR TODAY

MEMORY VERSE:

"Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."– Matthew 5:23-24

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:

The most effective way to resolving conflicts is through dialogue. Healthy and effective communication heals.

PRAISE WORSHIP: Take a worship song as led by the Holy Spirit.

PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY:

𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐆𝐎𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐄𝐍𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐏 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐒 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐒, 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐉𝐄𝐒𝐔𝐒.

THE MESSAGE:

Having explained so much on how to manage our relationships with little or no grudges against one another as Christians, we need to go on to steps for peaceful resolution of conflicts.




The whole exercise revolves around the parties involved, who should start with a willingness to let peace reign. There is a possibility of shifting blames, finding faults and making excuses which could constitute hindrances to smooth conflict resolution. This is where the forgiving spirit comes to play first and foremost. You should take the matter to God in prayer so that you will be divinely guided into handling the resolution.

ALSO READ: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY

A forgiving heart is the heart that come to terms with God first over a matter. This prepares the offended for an opportunity to consider a dialogue and eventually make peace with the offender. There is no way you can entertain a discussion with someone with whom you have an axe to grind, except your heart is prepared to accommodate the offender and humbly accept and take responsibility for your own faults. Keep communication lines open, entertain a round-table talk if necessary, avoid emotionally charged words and actions, and put your emotions under strict control.




ALSO READ: CAC LIVING WATER FOR TODAY




According to scriptures earlier read, first seek audience with the other party but if this fails, you can proceed to involve possibly an older fellow or a closer friend; at times a group of brethren, depending on the seriousness of the matter. This is not to expose or ridicule the other party but to seek other people's views for a better understanding. Furthermore, avoid seeking your own interests above the other person's (Philippians 2:1-5).




Put away every negative thought and imagination. Avoid bitterness and allow all wounds to receive healing by the power of God. Be ready for a healthy reconciliation and be restored. Even where this may not be possible for any reason, ensure that your conscience is clean and with a pure heart, you receive the other person.




Remember that God forgave us and we should not harbour bitterness so that our prayers would be answered. One last but important thing to note is that refusal to forgive and settle disputes amicably will put you into emotional prison. Please forgive and let go all hurts and you will begin to enjoy the fullness of God's promises for His beloved.




PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING

1. Lord Jesus, release Your healing power upon my hurting mind, in the name of Jesus.

2. I refuse to imprison myself as a result of bitterness, in the name of Jesus.

3. Father Lord, help me to forgive as You forgive, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING

4. Agenda of destroyers for my destiny, fail woefully, in the name of Jesus.

5. Powers assigned to use me against myself, you are liars, die, in the name of Jesus.

6. I refuse to fall out of the grace of God as a result of unresolved conflicts, in the name of Jesus.

7. Peace of God, envelop my heart, in the name of Jesus.

DO HAVE A BLESSED DAY

©2022 MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, MOUNTAIN OF FIRE and Miracle Ministries, Worldwide