Romans 14:13-15:4
Reflect
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (v19).
I don’t know about you, but I find this verse to be challenging. I find it challenging in that if I truly want to live it out, I probably must put aside some of my selfishness.
If we are to achieve peace and mutual edification, we cannot be expecting others to see things our way only, or to think less of others because they believe differently than we do.
Paul is clear; on those items that are essential to our faith, we must not waiver from them. But on matters that are not essential, they shouldn’t be things that create division.
Apply
As you walk into this day, what is one thing you can do (or not do) that would lead to peace and mutual edification in your relationships with others?
Pastor Terry
Pray for Chain of Love, Brazil
Chain of Love Homes is a ministry founded in 1993 to look after children in jeopardy and to provide them a better life centred on Christ’s love. We have built eight houses on a campus in Southern Brazil. We also manage four off-campus homes. Each home has up to ten children who are cared for by a committed married Christian couple. COL is now under Brazilian leadership. In every house we aim to create an environment as close as possible to the routine of a Christian family. We aim to pass on Christian values to our children. Every child who comes to us is sent by judges. They stay with us until their parents regain the ability to safely have them back. Sometimes this doesn’t happen, and the children stay with us until they turn 18. We also refer them to the labour market so upon reaching age 18 they can live independently. If these young adults can’t return to their families, they can stay in our Transition Home as long as they study or work, attend a church, and save part of their income. We have worship services on our campus.