Choose Honour And Avoid Strife 

Will Jesus Find Faith on Earth?

One of my terms for this year is to avoid strife. Strife is a very destructive force. It can creep into relationships by starting small, maybe through a comment or a wrong look from someone, and it can then escalate into something much bigger. But when you choose to cease from strife and overlook an offence, you are acting honourably and honouring God. 

How do you avoid strife? Scripture tells us that love covers many offences. Love gives people the benefit of the doubt. Maybe someone was cross with you at the office, but they may also have a loved one in the hospital. Instead of getting upset, walk in love—be patient, be kind to them. Extend grace. 

Today, look for ways to walk in unity with the people in your life. When we walk in unity, there is a commanded blessing. Always avoid strife, choose peace, and watch the hand of God move mightily in your life! 

“It is an honour for a man to cease from strife…” (Proverbs 20:3, KJV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, today I choose Your ways. Father, I invite Your plan to unfold in my life. Help me avoid strife so I can walk in peace, and unity, and honour all the days of my life in Christ’s name. Amen. 

In Reflection

How can I stay calm and avoid strife in my life?

When You Feel Attacked 

These days’ life is very unpredictable. The enemy loves to stir up strife and division, he does his best to heap on insults and kicks us while we’re down. But be assured, whenever you are afflicted, attacked, ridiculed, or abused, God takes notice. He rises strong on your behalf. For you are His child, know God Himself has the final say over our lives. Not the accuser.  

Scripture reminds us that no weapon or cruel accusation can stand over us. It will fall away, for His Power rises above all. He brings light straight to darkness, and what is hidden in the dark, He brings out into the light. We are His children, and He can’t help but come to our rescue. It may seem too long in coming. We start to feel forgotten, betrayed, rejected, and afraid. We wonder why we’ve been left on our own.  Maybe some have stirred up lies against you. Maybe the enemy seems to be breathing down your back, hot on your trail, trying hard to bring you down. The obstacles seem too hard to hurdle over. And you feel like giving up. 

Today please know that God is close, He sees your pain and is aware of every attack. And He is building greatness and deep perseverance from within. Listen to His whisper down deep in your soul and shake off. Every bitter, cruel word and fiery dart and take them to the One who sets you free from the strongholds of darkness, from sin and shame. Leave it at the feet of God who covers you with His favour and blessing so that your strength is renewed day by day. He is with you. You are greatly loved. Be still, He fights for you today. 

“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.” Isaiah 54:17 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I thank you for the Power of your Word and your Presence over my life. Father, I thank you that no weapon formed against me will prosper, for greater are You who is in me than he who is in the world. Please cast down every threat and accusation, every abusive word and cruel attack hurled my way. I praise you that nothing is impossible with you, I trust you, to rise strong on my behalf. Lord, you are my defender and Strong Tower, my Refuge and Strength. Thank you for fighting for me. In the Powerful Name of Jesus, Amen! 

A Distraction?

Don’t get mad, it’s only a distraction? Many challenges in life are merely distractions meant to keep us from pursuing our destiny. Maybe someone at work isn’t as friendly to you as you’d like. Maybe you have a neighbour who always parks in front of your house and blocks your way. Those things may be frustrating, but they have little significance when you look at the bigger picture. You can’t allow the little things to steal your joy and cause strife in your life.

Remember, just before David fought the giant Goliath, his brother Iliab tried to confront him. But David knew that arguing with Iliab wasn’t even worth his time and strength. He knew his real battle was with Goliath, and he didn’t want to be distracted. He simply “turned away” from Iliab and kept his focus on what he was called to do. Don’t focus on the distraction.

Today, truth be told, most frustrations aren’t even worth fighting over. Let’s keep our focus and turn away from strife because it’s only a distraction sent by the enemy to keep you from your God-given blessing!

“It is an honour for a man to cease from strife…”(Proverbs 20:3, KJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your hand of victory in my life. Father, give me the wisdom and courage I need to walk away from strife and honour You. God, help me see the challenges for what they are, distractions from my eternal blessing. Jesus, I love You and bless You today and always, in Christ’s name! Amen.

Peace Is Strength

Blessed Are the Peacemakers

One of the greatest needs of this world is peace. When there is strife and contention, the enemy has an open door to move into your life. There’s a tremendous strength that comes to you when you choose to live in peace. That’s why the Lord commands us in scripture that we live at peace with those around us. When we are at peace with those around us, we are in a position of strength. 

Being at peace with those around you doesn’t mean you have to agree with everyone all the time. It simply means you are choosing to walk in love. It means you are patient and kind, not envious or boastful. It means you are considerate and gracious even when you don’t agree.  

Today, choose peace over strife, choose love over hate, choose positivity over negativity. Beginning right now, make the choice to walk in the strength and blessings the peace of God brings when we obey His Word as He has commanded.  

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18, NIV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for the gift of peace which is strength. Father, help me to release any strife or contention in my heart today. God, I ask You to fill me with Your peace for everyone around me, so that I can be an instrument of love everywhere I go, in Christ’s Name! Amen.  

Declare It!

Did you know there is creative power in the words we declare? In the same way that God created the world with His words in Genesis 1, we “create” our own world with our words. We can create an atmosphere of peace, joy, power and love with our words, or we can create an atmosphere of strife, confusion and defeat.

Today, use your words to open the door for God to move, by declaring His Word over your life. Declare that His strength is at work in you. Declare that no weapon formed against you is going to prosper. As you declare God’s Word over your life, you’ll see it come to pass. You’ll feel His strength, joy and victory rising up inside of you, so that you can embrace the life of blessing He has prepared for you.

“Now may the Lord’s strength be displayed, just as you have declared.”(Numbers 14:17, NIV)

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I recognize that there is creative power in my words. Father, help me, by Your Spirit, to use my words for good. God, remind me to always declare Your truth over my life, and over the lives of others. I bless You today and always, in Jesus’ name! Amen.

Seek Peace Not Strife

Worldly Peace Vs. God’s Peace

Many people fall into the evil trap of strife. Someone may say or do something that rubs you the wrong way, and before you know it, there is tension, quarrelling and division. The Bible tells us that strife opens the door to every evil work. It’s the enemy’s greatest trap to keep people from living in victory. 

The good news is, you don’t have to fall into the trap of strife, you can rise above it. Like today’s verse says, you can simply drop the matter before it turns into something bigger than it needs to. You don’t have to sink down to somebody’s level and argue with them and try to prove that you’re right. Remember, you weren’t put on this earth to correct everybody around you. 

Today, if you are going to be all that God’s called you to be, you have to learn to stay above strife and quarrels. Instead of letting disagreements pull your relationships apart, look for common ground to draw you closer together. Look for peaceful biblical ways to be a blessing. Stay above strife, and if you can’t say something positive don’t say anything, so you can enjoy your relationships and experience the blessings God has for you! 

“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” (Proverbs 17:14, NIV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, help me to stay above strife no matter what’s going on around me. Father, I will honour You by seeking peace and staying positive in my relationships. Almighty God, empower me to walk in love and be a blessing everywhere I go, in Christ’s Name! Amen

Avoid Strife And Live Honourably

The Purpose of Life is Intimacy with God: What Is It & How to Pursue It

Someone once said challenges are merely distractions meant to keep us from pursuing our destiny. Maybe someone at work isn’t as friendly to you as you’d like. Maybe you have a neighbour who always parks in front of your house and blocks your driveway. Those things may be frustrating, but they have little significance when you look at the big picture. You can’t allow the little things to open the door to strife in your life. 

Scripture tells us, just before David fought Goliath, his brother Iliab tried to confront him. David knew that arguing with Iliab wasn’t even worth his time and strength. He knew his real battle was with Goliath, and he didn’t want to be distracted. So he “turned away” from Iliab and kept his focus on what he was called to do. In our own lives today, most frustrations aren’t worth our energy. When we avoid strife, it is a mark of honour. 

Today, turn away from strife and other distractions that the enemy will send your way. Keep your focus on what God has called you to do. As you do, you will live in honour before God and man. With integrity you’ll move forward into the destiny God has for you! 

“It is an honour for a man to cease from strife…” (Proverbs 20:3, AMP) 

Let’s Pray

Oh Jehovah, thank You for shielding me from evil and for Your hand of victory in my life. Father, give me the wisdom and courage I need to walk away from people who just want to cause conflict and strife, and cause me to lose sight of my focus and destiny You have prepared for me. God, I want to be a person of integrity at all times, I love You and bless You, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

 

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