Category Archives: 1 Peter

NON-Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Yad VashemRecently, I visited the Israeli Holocaust Museum “Yad Vashem.” I would encourage everyone to make the trip to Israel at least once, and if you do, be certain not to miss Yad Vashem. It will change you forever.

One thing that should be striking to any Christian is the role the Christian Church played in the Holocaust. Six million Jews were slaughtered including one and a half million children. Where was the church? They were mostly standing aside in silence.

Each day, we are faced with the decision to take an action or not; to speak out or say nothing; to help a need or disregard; to love or not to love. Sin is not only something done but also something not done.

In the Bible, James tells us “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

Take a moment to pray and reflect. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. What have you neglected to do? Now what do you need to do?

Life Lesson: Actions you do not take can be as bad as actions you do take. What you do not say may speak louder than what you do say.

May the church continually remind itself to do good in our communities and around the world!

David McGee is the founder of Cross The Bridge Ministries as well as a pastor, teacher and author.  He may be contacted using the form here.

Dealing with Differences

 Fred Phelps, the leader of a small congregation known for their controversial funeral-picketing activities, died last month. Ironically, the family announced there would be no funeral.

unity-in-the-bodyLet’s be honest, relationships are tough. Whether it’s your family or a friendship, every relationship takes time and effort in order to work. The same is true for the Church. It made up of people of different backgrounds, personalities and experiences. We each bring something unique to the table, and then we are commanded to love each other. How does that work? Won’t our differences cause arguments and division? They can, unless we all start from the same point – Jesus Christ.

In the book of First Peter in the Bible, the church is told to be of ‘one mind’. We are all supposed to lay aside our own thoughts and attitudes for the thoughts and attitudes of Jesus. How do we do this? As we read and study the Bible, our minds are transformed more and more. As we grow, we begin learning how to love, forgive, show compassion and have mercy. When we start with a desire to be like Christ, we end up united with our brothers and sisters who are doing the same. So today, if there is tension in a relationship, look to the Bible and begin loving like Jesus.

 Life Lesson: Unity in church starts with each person submitting to God’s Word.

 A number of the targets of Phelps’ picketing were quick to encourage others to forgive and put the past behind them. Pray that his church members read the same verses.

 
 
 

www.CrossTheBridge.com

Two People – One Mind?

Dee’s family openly aired their disagreements. Jerome’s family did their best to avoid conflict. When they got married, you can imagine how that worked out.

 Let’s be honest, relationships are tough. Whether it’s your family or a friendship, every relationship takes time and effort in order to work. The same is true for the church. The body of Christ is made up of people of different backgrounds, personalities and experiences. We each bring something unique to the table and then we are commanded to love each other. How does that work? Won’t our differences cause arguments and division? They can, unless we all start from the same point – Jesus Christ.

In 1 Peter 3, the church is told to be of ‘one mind’. We are all supposed to lay aside our own thoughts and attitudes for the thoughts and attitudes of Jesus. How do we do this? We jump into God’s Word and in the process; our minds are transformed more and more into the mind of Christ. As we grow, we begin learning how to love, forgive, show compassion and have mercy. When we start with a desire to be like Christ, we end up united with our brothers and sisters who are doing the same. So today, if there is tension in a relationship, look to the Bible and begin loving like Jesus.

Life Lesson: Unity in church starts with each person submitting to God’s Word.

You’ll be happy to know that Dee and Jerome just celebrated their 30th year of marriage.

David McGee is the founder of Cross The Bridge Ministries as well as a pastor, teacher and author.  He may be contacted using the form below.

 




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Column #14-0304 (Life Lesson based on 1 Peter 3:8 teaching)