Two Sides To A Story. Part [2] 08/14/2025 (Morning thought)

Acts 15:4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. 5 But there rose up certain of the sect of Pharisees which believed, saying that it was necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

Again, God does not leave nor forsake husbands and wives when they may have problems and arguments in their married life. Persons do make mistakes, and there are times when in the Christian household the peace that passes all understanding might go up in smoke for a while.

This doesn’t mean that they should be written off as not being Christian, for even though we are to strive for excellence in our behaviors and demeanors, the fact is that this is not always the case, and whenever a volatile situation may arise, Biblical instructions, as per a godly resolution, should be sought after…. Acts 12:6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

Several of these instructions, principles, ways, and means are given in the Scriptures, so that folks may be guided by the word of God, when the going gets rough. We begin with the first instruction found in our opening passage, which deals with the issue of avoiding gossip, and talebearing.

Acts 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, you know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

Two Sides To A Story. Part [1] 08/14/2025 (Evening thought)

James 1: 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

There are instructions given in the Bible for dealing with rumors, gossips, fairytales, complaints, stories, and there is guidance given for handling resolutions to issues that are entirely true so that God’s will may be done in all scenarios. Because we are fallen and do live in an evil world, it is inevitable that somewhere, sometime, somehow, arguments and disagreements may spring up among persons and these instances would at times produce stories and rumors that can spread like a wildfire if not held in check.

These stories, which have two sides in most cases, can affect not only persons in the secular realm, like politicians, and unbelievers, but they have also been observed at times during board meetings, and also among fellow church members. Back then, in the days just after Pentecost, some of the brethren took issue with Paul and Peter when it was discovered that they were bringing the Gentiles into the church, who had not been circumcised, and the report spread across the early church like a wild fire.

This caused such a great upset, in so much that they had to call the first emergency conference meeting to hear the two sides to the story so that they could resolve the issue, and thank God, they did resolve it, but not before there were some heated arguments between the two sides. In that instance, The Holy Spirit was present, since God has given Him to be with us always, not only when things are going smooth and lovey dovey, but also when there are disturbances, arguments, and complaints to be dealt with.

Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved. 2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!