Restored, Week 2: Conflict

Join us this week as lead Pastor, Shane Frazier, discusses God's ways of dealin with "conflict". (Hosea 6:2) (NLT) In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence.   Title of Message: Conflict   (Psalm 55:12-14) (NLT) It is not an enemy who taunts me—I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—I could have hidden from them.  Instead, it is you—my equal, my companion and close friend.  What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God.   (Proverbs 18:13) “He who answers before listening--that is his folly and his shame.”   4 Don'ts when handling Conflict:    1.    Don’t ignore it (Psalm 39:2-3) (NLT) But as I stood there in silence—not even speaking of good things—the turmoil within me grew worse.  The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words:   2.    Don’t run from it   (Psalm 55:6) (NLT) Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!   (Proverbs 14:12) (NLT) There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.   3.    Don’t hide it   (Genesis 32:27) (AMP) [The Man] asked him, What is your name? And [in shock of realization, whispering] he said, Jacob [supplanter, schemer, trickster, swindler]!   (Genesis 32:28) (AMP) And He said, Your name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel [contender with God]; for you have contended and have power with God and with men and have prevailed.   4.    Don’t stir it (Proverbs 29:22) An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins. 4 Do's when handling Conflict:   1.    Do seek the Lord   (Isaiah 30:21) Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”   (James 1:19-20)… Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.   2.    Do walk and not run through the valley   (Psalm 23:4) Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; (Colossians 1:11) (NCV) God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient. 3.    Do work toward a solution   (Romans 12:18) If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.   (Ephesians 4:3) Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Matthew 18:15) (MSG) If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you.   4.    Do have a proper perspective (Isaiah 43:2) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.   (Philippians 1:6) (CEV) God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.   (2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!   (Galatians 5:22-23) (NLT) But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.   (Hosea 6:2) (NLT) In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence.