2 Timothy 2:23–24 (NIV)

“23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out”Proverbs 17:14 99.9% of the time we are not prepared for the breach of the conversational dam that starting a quarrel will make. We are not prepared for the hot anger, the words said in anger, and the torrent of, sometimes, the hatred that ensues. So, I am asking myself, “Is it worth it? What am I getting from these posts that are so argumentive and the verbiage so destructive that folks walk away hurt and wounded? It doesn’t matter if the person is a Christian or not. Actually, it does. Why? When we have wounded the unsaved in the name of “The Lord” we have taught them that we serve an angry and vicious God. We do not. We are not representing love when we do that. “A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel” Proverbs 15:18 NIV.

Matthew 5:22 “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” We are the children of God it is time for us to start acting like it.

His love, in each of us, IS THE ANSWER TO KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS: “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love -John 15:10 NIV. Yeah, I know it flies in the face of all the fluff and stuff that happens to us in life. But at some point, we just have to let it go and love regardless of what did, is, or will happen in our lives. We are all human and therefore, IMPERFECT!

Father, as we traverse this pandemic, I pray the following:

Keep your children connected to each other through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Remind us that perilous times will come, but we are to be light in the middle of darkness.
As the toxic soup of racism and hatred cooks on the stove of life, please prevent us from being the flavoring that makes the soup palatable.
Use us to be the antidote that neutralizes them, and please allow your love to make examples of spiritual salt and light to our communities and the world. “13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
Remind us that the Holy Spirit within us can empower us to be the light that shines in the darkness. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” Matthew 5:13-16 ESV.
Remind us that we were blessed to be a blessing to others. “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great so that you will be a blessing” Genesis 12:2 (ESV).
Lord remind us that this world is not our final resting place. We should not become so wrapped up in it that we forget why we called and chosen by God. “11 Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. 12 Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives” 1 Peter 2:11-12. Remind us, throughout each day, that your commandment to us was a simple one, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” John 13:34 KJV. Focus our energies on learning how to love ourselves so that we can love our neighbors the way that you love us. If we have bowed down before the idols of this day and age, and are allowing our behaviors to be determined by ANYTHING other than scripture, and if we are not doing all that we are doing for your glory and your honor then we have sinned. Please forgive us Father and fill out hearts and minds with your words, not the words of others as we read your word, keep it inside our hearts and mind – in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

Scriptures were taken from https://www.biblegateway.com/