Devotionals for August 30, 2023
Another round of Starting Point begins on September 24! CLICK HERE for more info!
READ
Ephesians 5:15-17
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make
the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
Proverbs 6:16-19
16 There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Ephesians 4:26-27
27 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are
still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make
the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
Proverbs 6:16-19
16 There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Ephesians 4:26-27
27 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are
still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
REFLECT
Marriage is… Honest
God hates lying and deceit. No question about it. But what about the times when your spouse does something that you might find hurtful. Do you tell them how hurt you are? This is where reconciliation is modeled in Christ for us. It’s is a vital part of our relationship with God and with our spouse.
God is always ready to reconcile, forgive, and not keep a record of wrongs. If marriage is the model of humanity’s intended relationship with God, would it be a good idea to include Godly reconciliation?
The “don’t let the sun go down while you’re angry” advice is good, but often mis-interpreted. While there is a directive to reconcile with fellow Christians and our spouses, sometimes that can’t be accomplished before weariness sets in. This verse is really about letting go of the anger, the ego behind it, and replacing anger with hope. Earlier in Ephesians 4, Paul writes “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love”. Dissipate the anger with love, get a good night’s sleep and move forward in the morning with a fresh attitude.
God hates lying and deceit. No question about it. But what about the times when your spouse does something that you might find hurtful. Do you tell them how hurt you are? This is where reconciliation is modeled in Christ for us. It’s is a vital part of our relationship with God and with our spouse.
God is always ready to reconcile, forgive, and not keep a record of wrongs. If marriage is the model of humanity’s intended relationship with God, would it be a good idea to include Godly reconciliation?
The “don’t let the sun go down while you’re angry” advice is good, but often mis-interpreted. While there is a directive to reconcile with fellow Christians and our spouses, sometimes that can’t be accomplished before weariness sets in. This verse is really about letting go of the anger, the ego behind it, and replacing anger with hope. Earlier in Ephesians 4, Paul writes “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love”. Dissipate the anger with love, get a good night’s sleep and move forward in the morning with a fresh attitude.
APPLY
Q: Given how God feels about deceit, is it right to not tell your spouse when there is a problem between you?
Q: Should reconciliation only be saved for the “big” arguments or for every thing that stands between you and your spouse?
Q: What does it say to others when you have a marriage that is completely honest with each other? What does it say about the grace God has given us?
Q: Should reconciliation only be saved for the “big” arguments or for every thing that stands between you and your spouse?
Q: What does it say to others when you have a marriage that is completely honest with each other? What does it say about the grace God has given us?
SING
PRAY
"Give us today our daily bread."
Our loving King, grant us the grace to be together in complete honesty and truthfulness to each other. Let our words of truth be gracious, kind, and caring as we move through life together in the light of your truth.
Our loving King, grant us the grace to be together in complete honesty and truthfulness to each other. Let our words of truth be gracious, kind, and caring as we move through life together in the light of your truth.