Verse of the Day 9/30

Verse of the Day 9/30            a

2 Corinthians 13:11

The Voice

11 Finally, brothers and sisters, keep rejoicing and repair whatever is broken. Encourage each other, think as one, and live at peace; and God, the Author of love and peace, will remain with you.

I've been using The Voice paraphrase for much of my devotional reading this year.  This morning I read today's verses and passage.  What caught my attention was Paul's instruction to the church in Corinth to "repair whatever is broken".  It is something that the church in American in general and churches individually should take as a challenge.  We spend a lot of time complaining about what is wrong but how much do we really do to try and fix it.

The English Standard Version, my "go to" version for study says "aim for restoration".

When relationships within the church are strained we need restoration.  The rest of the verse gives basic logical things that we can do that are a startiing point for restoration and fixing what is broken.  First of all, find something to rejoice and be joyful about, share it with others.  Then, how about encouraging one another.  Aim towards unity, thinking in unity as one, this involves finding areas of agreement,  Then, "live at peace".  Peace is not just the absence of war or conflict, it goes way beyond that.  Make sure that there are no "hidden" feelings that can flare up and destroy that unity.  Above all, let God's love and peace remain with you as you abide in Him.

These challlenges are not just for the relationships in the church.  What about our faimilies and with our spouses.  Are things strained or broken?  Aim for restoration, repair  what is broken, encourage each other, and live at peace.  Count your blessings.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

2 Corinthians 13:11-14

English Standard Version

Final Greetings

11 Finally, brothers,[a] rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another,[b] agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you.

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.