NorthStar Community Daily Devotional

February 14

Scripture focus: Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you. 2 Corinthians 5:16-20 MSG

“I wish my spouse would read NSC materials or go to church with me. She has a lot of problems, and we fight all the time. Do you know of any good resources in Oklahoma that could help my wife get on track?”

Yikes! I’m not sure anyone is going to get on track in this family so long as there’s finger pointing going on. I suggested to this writer that he consider first looking at resources for himself. Maybe if he could learn some new ways to love his wife as Christ loved the church, she would be so encouraged by his metamorphosis from fighting man to loving husband that she’s join him in the journey.
I did some research and found an awesome church called Henderson Hills Baptist Church in Edmond, Oklahoma. He began attending, met some really cool people, and soon his whole family joined him. His new friends at HHBC made some recommendations for support groups, healthy living and even some one-on-one counseling. They also got them into a couple’s bible study. Here’s the latest update.

“Who would have thought that I’d end up at a church where it was totally acceptable to say that my marriage is in trouble? These guys didn’t judge me or even tell me they’d pray for me and walk off shaking their heads in disgust like I’m some basket case of a person in need of their pity. In fact, I’ve learned that some of their families have had similar struggles. This is a great place to love God and work on my marriage.”

Notice that all the finger pointing has stopped, and together, as a community, this family is joining others in asking for help and seeking support and resources without finding fault. It sounds like a place where friendships are being established as a result of God going first – loving us, and encouraging us to do the same.



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