Devotional Guide for Thursday, July 18

Philippians 4:2-3

Reflect
Disagreements and stubbornness can ruin relationships between family members and friends, and can also do serious damage to ministries.

Paul is calling on his two friends, two people who have been working to advance the gospel, to settle their differences and be unified once again, because they are followers of Jesus. They are ”in the Lord.”

Paul gives us a good roadmap for how we should go about settling our differences. He doesn’t choose a side. He addresses both women equally, and when we have disagreements, we need to admit we play a part in the issue. It isn’t always someone else’s fault. Paul also invites a third person to be involved. Someone who can listen well and help the two parties hear each other, and finally, Paul reminds us to see the good in each other.

Working through hurts and disagreements is difficult, but Paul reminds us we are not expected to do this work on our own, but to do it with the help of the Holy Spirit. With God, nothing is impossible.

Pastor Terry

Pray for Daniela Pilz – Athletes in Action
Daniela is working with the student-athlete ministry from Power To Change, called Athletes in Action (AIA). She’s been serving with them for the past five years in Edmonton. Her roles are walking alongside female athletes through mentorship, Bible studies and Chapels, and equipping future Christian leaders inside the athletic body at the University of Alberta and the MacEwan University. Her vision is to help athletes grow as believers and to share Jesus with those who are exploring faith. Her passion is to see Jesus become more evident inside the athletic community and to see lives transformed by the power and love of Jesus Christ. Be in prayer for Daniela as she discerns next steps.