MFM Daily Devotional 26 February 2022
TOPIC: Resolving Conflicts (III)
MEMORY VERSE: Matthew 5:23-24 – “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..”
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES: The most effective way of resolving conflicts is through dialogue. Healthy and effective communication heals.
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.
PRAISE AND WORSHIP: Take praise and worship songs as led by the Holy Spirit
MFM Daily Devotional 26 February 2022 Saturday Mountain Top Life
FIRE SCRIPTURE: Philemon 1
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.
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.
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 of all hurts and you will begin to enjoy the fullness of God’s promises for His beloved.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Numbers 15–16; Mark 6:1–29
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.
