Personal benefits when conflict with others is handled properly: It has increased my tenderness to the pain and affliction of others. It has broadened my outlook that life is not as black and white as I often think. It has helped me to listen better and understand good perspectives that might differ from mine. It has encouraged me to search the Scriptures and be able to better articulate my beliefs. It has pushed me out of my comfort zone and increased my faith in God and in His Word. It has taught me to work harder to be a more effective communicator to express my feelings. It has helped me consider other people more important than myself. It has helped me understand that relationships are more important than the conflict and compromising (when biblically appropriate) is more important than being right. It has increased my love for unity. It has manifested the love and power and forgiveness of God both received and extended. It has taught me that my desires and plans do not lie at the center of the world. And in many cases, when resolved correctly, it has even strengthened the specific relationship.
Randy Smith

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E-pistle for January 7, 2011

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#1 · January 10, 2011, 1:04 pm

Posted by: info <info@...>

E-pistle

                                                                Dr. Dan Hite, President     FreeWay Foundation     January 7, 2011

O Lord, Fight Against My Enemies!

(Psalm 35:1, 4-6, 8-9, 14, 25-28

Dr. Curt Scarborough

I.  Concentration and Meditation:  on David's prayers against his enemies

"Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me; fight against those

who fight against me," v. 1.

1.      For his enemies to be disgraced:
1)      Let them be put to shame, vv. 4, 26.
2)      Let them be brought to dishonor, vv. 4, 26.
2.      For his enemies to be defeated:
1)      Let them be turned back (in retreat), vv. 4, 26.
2)      Let them be brought to mutual confusion, vv. 4, 26.
3.      For his enemies to be destroyed:
1)      Let them be blown away; chased by an angel, v. 5.
2)      Let their way be dark and slippery, v. 6.
3)      Let destruction come upon them unexpectedly, v. 8.
4)      Let them be caught in their own traps (nets), v. 8.
4.      For his enemies to be disappointed:
1)      Let them not rejoice over my problems, v. 19.
2)      Let them not "wink with the eye," secretly and slyly

            plotting wickedness, v. 19.

3)      Let them not say, "Our plot worked," v. 25.
4)      Let them not say, "We have swallowed him up," v. 25.

II.  Revelation:  on worshipping God in the midst of persecution

1.      My soul shall be joyful in the Lord and His salvation, v. 9. Philippians 4:4.
2.      I will pray unto the Lord with mourning and fasting, v. 14.
3.      I will give thanks and praise to God as a testimony before many people,

        vv. 18, 27-28.

4.      I will magnify the Lord Almighty, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His

        servant, v. 27.

III.  Applications:  as a Christian, I need to . . .

1.      Pray with fasting that my enemy (Satan) may be overcome in my life.
2.      Rejoice in God's peace, no matter how bad my circumstances may appear.
3.      Worship, praise, and thank God for His unceasing love toward me.
4.      Believe that the Lord enjoys helping me to prosper spiritually.

In your light we see light

(Psalm 36:5-9)

Dr. Curt Scarborough

I.  Concentration:  on God's praise worthy attributes

        1.   Mercy, v. 5.

        2.   Faithfulness, v. 5.

        3.   Righteousness, v. 6.

        4.   Judgments (justice), v. 6.

        5.   Protection ("preserve"), v. 6-7.

        6.   Loving-kindness (grace), v. 7.

II.  Meditation:  on these Godly traits

1.      God's mercy is exalted (in the heavens), v. 5.
2.      God's faithfulness extends everywhere (reaches

      to the clouds), v. 5.

3.      God's righteousness is steadfast (like the mountains), v. 6.
4.      God's judgments are deep (like an ocean), v. 6.
5.      God's protection includes all creation (man and beast), v. 6.
6.      God's precious loving-kindness (grace) covers all who trust in

      Him, v. 7.

III.  Revelation:  on God's spiritual gifts to mankind

1.      Abundant satisfaction through the fullness of the Holy Spirit, v. 8.
2.      Living waters from the rivers of God's pleasures, v 8; John 7:37-39.
3.      A fountain of life, through the risen Christ, v. 9; John 4:13-14.
4.      "In your light we see light," v. 9 . . . through God's presence, we

        receive spiritual enlightenment and revelation, spiritual knowledge

        and wisdom, and spiritual perception and understanding.  (See John 1:9).

IV.  Applications:  as a Christian , I need to . . .

1.      Ask for and receive from God the satisfying abundance of the fullness

        of the Holy Spirit.

2.      Drink deeply from God's spiritual rivers of pleasure: peace and joy!
3.      "Abide" in Christ, the source of my life and fruitfulness.
4.      Receive God's spiritual enlightenment concerning His word and will,

        and concerning His purpose and destiny for my life.

"No man is happy who does not think himself so."

--Publilus Syrus

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