Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Conflict”
Our Bible verse for today: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! It is like fine oil on the head, running down the beard, running down Aaron’s beard onto his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon falling on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord has appointed the blessing – life forevermore.” Psalm 133:1-3 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Where there is harmony among Christians, there the Lord’s blessing is.”
In Psalm 133 King David attempted to portray how pleasant and blessed it is when God’s people are in harmony, without conflict. In the language of the day the fine oil on the head symbolized a special anointing from God. The dew of Hermon was meant to picture a serene and relaxing scene. That should also describe the gatherings of the people of God.
It is indeed sweet when our gatherings are marked by peace and harmony, but that’s not always so easy to achieve. I’ve often thought of church families as being a lot like the “Star Wars Bar” in the first Star Wars movie. In that scene, Hans Solo and his companion Chewbacca are in an inter-planetary bar which is crowded with the strangest looking creatures from around the universe. They were all different in dramatic ways and it’s a wonder they were able to communicate and get along at all.
Yup, sounds like church.
It has been said that God has created some very strange people – namely you and me. It’s true, we’re all kinda strange and just a little messed up. It’s like author John Ortberg once wrote, “Everybody is normal – until you get to know them!”
In the weeks to come we’re going to explore this subject in much greater depth and from a variety of angles but for now, there are two rules of thumb to keep in mind. First, give no offense. And second, take no offense. Give no offense, in that you go out of your way to be kind and gentle, giving careful thought to not only what you say, but also to how you say it. And take no offense, in that you are not thin-skinned and you are not easily offended.
And for goodness sakes whatever you do don’t be both at the same time! Don’t be that person with the porcupine personality who is always poking other people and rubbing them the wrong way, and then turning right around and also being easily offended, convinced that other people aren’t being nice to you! The person who is always giving offense can be a real pain in the neck. The person who constantly takes offense is difficult to be around. But the person who is both at the same time can be absolutely impossible. Please don’t be that person!
It pleases God when we go out of our way to get along and live in harmony. In such a place, there His blessing is.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 