The 40 Day TBC Devotion

“Let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (Romans 14:19, ESV).

To pursue is to chase or run after. It is to aggressively use all of our energy to go after someone or something. In this case, we are to use all of our ability to chase down peace. And we are to aggressively build each other up. This is no passive exercise—it’s a focused pursuit.

I think this verse also gives us the recipe for peace—"Aggressively pursue building each other up”. Peace naturally breaks out when people feel affirmed, valued, wanted, and appreciated. This will work in your marriage, your home, your workplace, and in your church.

We go wrong when we think that the ultimate purpose of the church is to build us up individually. That will happen—but it’s not the primary focus. We join a church so that we can contribute to the mutual building up of one another. And when we do it well—peace happens—both within us and around us.

“To add value to others, one must first value others.” –John Maxwell

“When you choose to intentionally add value to other people, you begin to live a life that matters” –John Maxwell

Today, seek to add value to every person you encounter.

Dave Samples