Category Archives: Proverbs

Conflict, Forgiveness, Proverbs, Relationships

Why Forgive?

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iron-sharpens-iron

During a recent Servant Leadership conference, the speaker chose to end the conference with a teaching about forgiving others. Why would he do that? Because when we are serving alongside one another, we are likely to grate on each other. The book of Proverbs refers to it as a sharpening process: “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”

As we serve together, times of friction occur and when that happens, we can sometimes pick up an offense. What you do with that offense is up to you, friend, but holding on to an offense is like putting yourself in a prison. And you are the only one who has the key to freedom.

Each one of us is a work in progress.

I am reminded of the story of an old sculptor. One day, someone pointed out a marble lion and asked the sculptor how he could sculpt such a beautiful thing from the slab he started with. The sculptor said, “That’s easy. I just chip away the bits that don’t look like a lion.” That is what God is doing with us while we serve alongside one another. Be thankful. You can be conformed to the image of Christ. In that process, the person that really grates on your nerves… well… God is using them to help you. Let us be quick to forgive. God can forgive each one of us of a debt we could never pay. Let us be quick to show that same grace and mercy to others. I know, it can be hard, but you know the key to forgiving others? Pray for them the way that you pray for yourself.

Life Lesson: Forgive

Without forgiving, you can never experience the fullness of life God has in store for you.

 

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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.

Knowledge, Proverbs, Relationships, Wisdom

Knowledge vs. Wisdom

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TheresaRiggiKidsIn 1989, Pasquale married Theresa– a pretty straight-A student, good cook, and even taught music and sang. He never imagined her choices would one day destroy their entire family.

 Wisdom is often misunderstood. Many people assume that wisdom is knowledge, but there are many people who have brains filled with knowledge but are still unwise. Solomon understood this truth and that’s why we see wisdom often described in regards to action or lifestyle. After all, you can have all the book smarts in the world, but if the information you learn does not affect the way you live, then it is worthless.

 When we spend time meditating on God’s Word we will be equipped with biblical knowledge so that we can then live our lives with wisdom through the Holy Spirit. In life we are going to make mistakes and do some foolish things and yet through the grace of God we can get up, dust ourselves off and continue seeking Christ. Over time, we can look back and see a consistency in our life that stems from our increase in biblical wisdom. We won’t be perfect, but we will be able to celebrate God’s ability to bring us from point A to point B through the power of His Word and Spirit.

 Life Lesson: A wise person is not considered wise because of a good moment, but because of the consistency in lifestyle choices.

 Unfortunately, Theresa’s selfish and unwise choices ended in divorce, the murder of her children, and finally, the taking of her own life. When faced with choices, pray for and chose wisdom.

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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.

2 Corinthians, Proverbs, Relationships, Tempers, Violence

A Gentle Answer


Screenshot 2014-03-05 01.14.14aAn elementary school in Georgia, an AK-47, 500 Rounds of ammo, and shots fired.  Antoinette tells the shooter, “We’re not gonna hate you, baby… It’s going to be alright sweetie… “

 Relationships are difficult. They require work, constant attention and above all, they should be filled with love. Of course, this is easier said than done in many cases. What happens when you dealing with a difficult person? Often, we begin identifying what is wrong with the other person, but what if we looked first at ourselves? What if we first asked, “How should I respond?”

 Proverbs 15:1 says “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” In our human abilities, we don’t feel like returning anger with a gentle answer, but it will put the fire out. A harsh word makes it escalate. It’s amazing how much the Bible mentions about the effect of our words. Watching your words can make your job better, relationships better and give you less regrets later. Do you want to change the people in your life? Start by changing yourself and the perfect place to begin is with your words. Respond in love, and God can do amazing things in all your relationships.

 Life Lesson: You can be changed today. Every relationship you have including your job can be improved today.

 20 year-old Michael surrendered to police without anyone being injured, thanks to the gentle answer and words of love shared by Antoinette– one courageous lady.

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 #14-0301 (Life Lesson based on 2 Corinthians 12:19 teaching)