I urge you, my brothers; watch out for those who cause divisions and upset people's faith and go against the teaching which you have received. Keep away from them! For those who do such things are not serving Christ our Lord, but their own appetites. By their fine swords and flattering speech they deceive innocent people. Everyone has heard of your loyalty to the gospel, and for this reason I am happy about you. I want you to be wise about what is good, but innocent in what is evil. And God, our source of peace, will soon crush Satan under your feet.

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Romans 16:17-20

Companions, not competitors - that's what Christ wants us to be! Don't complain about people in the church who always want to run things, remember that a competitive spirit may be at the heart of the problem. Paul saw his fellow believers as companions, not competitors, and we should too. Wherever God has placed you, be a companion to someone.

Our Daily Bread - August 11, 2002