Luke 6:27: "But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you..."
One of the ways Christians are perceived as different than others, is the way we react to people and circumstances. Sometimes we are guilty of breaking the heart of believers and scorning non-believers. We all fall short. However, the mandate of Jesus is love. Even to those who might oppose us! Holy Spirit responses to life issues.
Meditate On This!
As each of us searches for other people to provide understanding, grace, consistency, care, hugs and expressions of love to us, are we giving this to them? Even those who might oppose us? How will this verse produce change in the way you respond and look at others?
And above all things have fervent love among yourselves: for love shall cover the multitude of sins. [9] Use hospitality one to another without grudging. [10] As every man has received a gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 peter 4:8-10
This week one of the true sports spectaculars will take place in milwaukee, the major league baseball all star game. These men are being rewarded by the fans and their peers for a job well done, between the lines. Competition is not bad in that context, but what about in the body of Christ? Has God put the body of Christ together in such a way as to compete with each other or to work together for His common cause? Athletic events and even business is built around competition...the christian walk should not be!
Meditate On This!
How do you respond when another believer gets the credit or are honored? Do you rejoice or think that it should of been you? Do you feel you have all the spiritual gifts and do not need others? Do you see other believers as competition? Do you cut down other believers behind their backs? Do you spread rumors about other believers? It only hurts the cause of Christ. Whose cause are we really living for?
On my desk is a saying..."to compare is an error"
We are all in this together...needing and feeding off one another...loving and caring for one another...not competing but caring and encouraging one another until Christ's return. How can you co operate with others of like faith this week to promote the cause of Christ and his kingdom? to encourage and not tear down...to be a team player in the family of God.
Proverbs 25:21: "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink."
Most teams run at a very fast pace. As much as we sometimes have pity on those who are less fortunate, we very rarely take time to actually extend acts of kindness toward them. As you read this, you may find yourself with people of many varied personalities. Each one has an area of hurt and needs a word of encouragement. Each one could use your extension of kindness!
Meditate On This!
The ministry of kindness is a ministry which may be achieved by all men, rich and poor, learned and illiterate. Variance of mind and capacity for deep thinking have rendered great service to humanity, but by themselves they are impotent to dry a tear or mend a broken heart. This week for the cause of Christ, please extend a hand of kindness-- which is the fruit of the Spirit.
Matthew 7:1: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."
There are many magazines available that give us the predictions for the upcoming professional and collegiate sports seasons. Walk by any newsstand and you will begin to form opinions of many people. These are people that have been around the game, have asked questions, and then come up with their educated guesses.
Whereas there may be room for predictions in professional sports, the above Scripture talks about judging one another. That is a heavy! This verse does not disallow the right to make moral and spiritual judgments, but does forbid a bitter, hostile, and unkind spirit that delights in finding fault with others. Self-righteousness has no place in the life of the Christian. The verse is particularly applicable to the area of motives. None of us can know the heart of another and draw conclusions as to the "why" of people,s actions.
Meditate On This!
Are you being unjust and judgmental in the life of some individual today? Could it be that because you don,t like them, you take everything they say in a different way than what they intended? Are you looking at what they say, or, are you trying to read motives into their words? There is an issue of wisdom, and we must be careful we do not walk over that line into "judgementalism".
Meditate on the above verse and thoughts, and ask God where you need to show more grace.
Matthew 5:39: "But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."
The story is told of two psychiatrists who conducted their practice in the same professional building. Since they had similar office hours, they often had occasion to ride up on the elevator together. Before leaving, the one would inevitably turn around and spit on his colleague. Without ever becoming angry, the other man would calmly take out his handkerchief, wipe his face, and then get off a few floors later. One morning the elevator operator could contain his curiosity no longer. After closing the door behind the first doctor, he asked, "How can you stand to be assaulted like that?" The second psychiatrist smiled and said, "Olcum, I dont know. That is his problem."
That story sounds too good to be true, doesn't it. Our natural response is to fight back. However, because of the grace of God toward us, our supernatural response should be one of understanding. My friend, Tim Cash, has said often that "hurting people hurt people". That is so true.
Meditate On This!
Two things to meditate on this week: Are you hurting someone? Maybe it is your wife or a loved one, maybe it is an enemy. Ask yourself, "Why am I doing this? Is this like Jesus?"
Secondly, are you being hurt by someone else? How would Jesus have you respond to that person?
Taken from Info Search
2 Peter 1:5-9: "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But, if anyone does not have them he is near-sighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins."
In order for us to enjoy a Major League baseball game, it takes hundreds and hundreds of hours by hundreds and hundreds of people behind the scenes. One such person is the scout. As he goes to and fro across the face of this earth, he is looking for young men who can play the game of baseball. Typically, he is looking for "tools" - tools that will take this young man to the next level of baseball. Typically, those tools include: running, throwing, and hitting.
As we look at the verses above, we see some of the "tools" God is looking for to keep us productive in our knowledge of Christ. Notice that we need to possess them, and, also have them, in increasing measure. If we do not possess these qualities, in the long run, we will forget that we have been cleansed from our past sins.
Meditate On This!
It is a "grocery list", but let’s ask ourselves the question: On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest), what kind of grade would you give yourself in the following areas:
- Goodness
- Knowledge
- Self-control
- Perseverance
- Godliness
- Brotherly kindness
- Love
In those areas in which you scored low, what can you do to raise those scores? Are you satisfied with the level you have attained in all the areas? Ask God to help you continually improve the "tools" which He has given us.
Proverbs 15:1: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
C.H. Spurgeon told the story of a group of drinking men in Boston who saw a respected pastor coming along the street. "Ill play a trick on ol Cotton," said one of them. Crossing to the other side, the unruly fellow stepped up to the minister and whispered, "Cotton, you are an old fool!" The preacher calmly replied, "Im afraid I am. The Lord made both you and me wiser than we are, even wise to salvation." The fellow returned to his companions thoroughly ashamed. When they pressed him to repeat Cottons words, the joking came to an end. The ministers gentle reply had silenced them.
Meditate On This!
How often do you respond to your enemies with a gentle reply? That is what Jesus did, isnt it. And we are in the process to become more like Jesus. This week, as insults and misrepresentations come your way, ask the Spirit of God to help you give a gentle answer to anyone, no matter how hard the circumstance. Stop, listen, and speak gently.
Taken from Info Search
Hebrews 13:1-2: "Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."
What if . . . he was born August 13, 1926 on his fathers plantation . . . though his family was economically in the lower class, they managed to send him to a Jesuit school through his teen years. It was there he distinguished himself as an oratory, political science, drama, and above all, in sports. In fact, in 1944 he received the award as the countrys Best All-Around Athlete, an award which he still regards as one of his highest achievements.
In 1945, he entered the largest university in his homeland, where he earned his doctoral degree in law. He practiced law for a few years and became famous as a defender of the defenseless, mostly those who were poor and/or victims of political persecution.
It was during his years at the university that word reached the American baseball scouts of the left-handed college pitcher, armed with a fastball like a bullet and a mighty curve and slider. The Washington Senators made arrangements for him to come to America and try out for the team. Just before his departure for America, he was married and his wife accompanied him on the visit, which extended over several months. In fact, they spent their honeymoon in traditional style - at Miami Beach. The itinerary for their visit took them to many cities in the Midwest where, as the only non-American on the tryout squad, they felt isolated from the hospitality that was extended to the other members and their wives.
The Senators were not able to reach an agreement with the young man. Officially the reasons are not known. However, maybe the reason was the coldness with which the young couple was greeted by Americans. For since that day, he has considered the United States to be his enemy.
After returning to his country, the young man became involved in politics once again and eventually leading the revolution that toppled the government. He became the countrys head of state, a position he holds to this day. Who is he? He is Fidel Castro. We can only think "what if". .......From the Global Prayer Digest, March 19, 1993.
Meditate On This!
What if . . .three decades ago Fidel Castro had received the love and acceptance in America from a Christian? How different history might be. Is there someone in your life today that needs to be extended the arm of Christian love from you? Is there someone who is new to a job situation, or maybe away from family, or from another country that is struggling? This week, use your "Jesus eyes" to look for those to whom you can reach out.
