Devotion
Love Your Enemy?
Frances Taylor
There are times when the gospel message doesn't fit into our way of thinking, and this is one of them. How are we expected to "love our enemies?" Jesus offers us an answer when he tells us to pray for them. So often we think of love as just an emotion, something we have no control over. While it is true that we can't always control our feelings, we can control our actions, and love is a function of the will, not the heart. We are not expected to have gushy feelings for those who attack us, our country, our way of life, the people we love, but we are expected not to take action against them. If we do, are we just as wrong as they are? I have always found it ironic, that people use violence to bring about peace. IT DOESN'T WORK!
Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Jesus, did not resort to violence. Do we realize that our enemies are still God's children loved by him just as we are? God does not want us to hate, but to love. Prayer is a very powerful force. All we need to do is look at the changes brought about over the years by constant prayer. At Fatima, Mary promised that Russia would return to her and her son if we prayed. It may not have happened as quickly as those of us who can barely wait for water to boil would have liked, but it happened. Change doesn't happen overnight, but is does happen – one loving heart at a time. We can begin with our words and move on to our actions. Words of prayer and love can open the stoniest of hearts. As the song says, "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me."
Prayer
Lord, it is not always easy to love those who have hurt us, or whose ideas we disagree with, but this is what God asks of us. Love is the only thing that can make enemies friends, help me to fill my life with friends. Amen.
Devotion
Give Good Example
Frances Taylor
If we ever needed a reminder of how important it is to practice what we preach, this is it. Not only are we encouraged to help others, but we are also warned about giving bad example or leading others, particularly children, away from the Lord.
I have spoken to many people who say that they became a Christian because of the example of people in their family, friends or strangers whose joy is so great they want a part of it. I also know people who have turned away from the faith they once had because they consider those who proclaim themselves to be Christian are hypocrites. Most people don't start out wanting to be Christians because of doctrine. They are influenced one way or another by people. Are you someone whose life exhibits the joy of knowing Jesus and his saving power? Am I? Do your actions give testimony to your beliefs? A person can go to church each week, Bible classes during the week and give every impression of being a devout follower of ...
Morning Prayer
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Inspiration
There is nothing at all – nothing on the earth and nothing in the spiritual realms – that can separate us from the love of Christ. No matter what any person or principality tries to do in our lives, they will never be able to quash the love Christ has for us. The love God has for us is eternal – it is here to stay for good.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank you for the love that you have for me. Thank you, Lord, that this love will never leave me and it will never forsake me. No matter what anyone tries, or whatever may come my way, Lord, I thank you that your love will always be with me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
Inspiration
As Christians, we know that we find peace in God. And today, we’re reminded that He promises peace to His people. But we have to do our part, which is listening. It’s when we turn away from wisdom and pursue foolish and selfish endeavors that peace eludes us. But when we turn our ears to His wisdom, He leads us on the path to peace.
Prayer
God, in You I have received peace that passes understanding. Speak Your wisdom to me, and teach me to not be distracted by my own foolish ambitions. Give me ears to hear You so that I may remain close to You and move in Your peace wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, amen.
