Divide and conquer

Day

Thursday

Date

03-17-2011

Scripture

Acts 15:36-41 (BSFL*)

Translation

NIV

What God said to me

Divide and conquer. Time and time again I have had to allow situations that would cause My people to move from where they had become comfortable to where they could be of the most service to Me. You have seen this in your own life. It is certainly okay to have Christian friends. But if you always with these friends (and only these friends), how will you ever have the opportunity to talk about Me to those who have never heard about Me? It is when you and your friends are apart that you are able to collectively minister to the most needs.

What I said to God

Conflict is never easy. A steady diet of love, encouragement, and comfort like we have discussed in the past few days is soooooo much more pleasant. But I can see how You have used those deeply painful experiences in my life to move me to places that I never would have gone without them. Thank You for the privilege of suffering for You. Thank You for trusting that I would not only be able to endure each experience but that I would also be strengthened by it. I love You.

* Scripture selection from Lifeway’s Bible Studies for Life series