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Learning To Love Our Enemies

Luke 6:27-36

27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.

30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

There are many things we can learn about here:

  • If we do not love our enemy ultimately means we hate our enemy
  • If we want to hurt those who hurt us it is from the fear of being hurt again
  • If we want justice for those who used us then we are letting selfishness drive us
  • If we will not give back when others will take then we care too much of what we have

There are also many things we need to do:

– Show love when others would look to hate

– Exhibit benevolence and give when others would not

– Be the voice in a tough conversation

– Find the good in an adverse situation and do it

  • Expect nothing in return even when you give it all

So while this may sound crazy I am thankful for every storm, trial, confrontation, battle and enemy that has ever shown up in my life. It’s by these opportunities that I have truly gotten to know the true love of God and how this love can change the world if the world will love itself and its enemies

Change The Bitter Waters

 

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Exodus 15:22-24

[22] So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
[23] And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
[24] And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

We begin with a company of singing former slaves:

  • They had been set free
  • Their enemies have perished at the red sea
  • They had a reason to be singing

Onward they go to Canaan

  • Moses leads his people into the wilderness
  • Our lord knows the way through the wilderness
  • There are great lessons to learn in the wilderness

Three days into the wilderness and out of water

  • The containers they filled up at Egypt are gone

There was water at Marah, but it was bitter

This disappointed Israel, for they expected everything to go well

We all have trials on the journey – John 16:33 – [33] These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

The people murmured against moses

  • Bitter experiences should not make us bitter
  • Bitter people cannot bless others
  • Saul was bitter towards david
  • The prodigals brother was bitter about his return

James 3:14-16

[14] But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
[15] This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
[16] For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Hebrews 12:12-15

[11] Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
[12] Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
[13] And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
[14] Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
[15] Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

So what do we do now?

  • Moses cried to the lord
  • Pray when others criticize you
  • Moses didn’t know what to do, so he prayed
  • God promises wisdom for those who ask

James 1:5

[5] If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Exodus 15:25-27

[25] And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
[26] And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
[27] And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

The tree made the waters sweet

  • The tree had been there all the time
  • The tree speaks of the tree of Calvary
  • Remember the cross when you face the bitter experiences
  • The cross will sweeten the bitter times in your life

Ahhhhhhhhh! You Better Be Ready, People Will Surprise You!

Angry - From http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-204_162-10004572.html
How many times in your life were you trying to do the right thing and walked into someones attitude that drained your joy? Have you ever got the worst end of someones problems just by trying to listen or understand? Has people that you least expected blindsided you with something you did not see coming? What about being blamed for something terrible that was simply a rumor and did not happen? Perhaps you have been judged based on the actions of others in your life even though their actions were not in your control. In many different ways through different people and venues has this act of anger has provoked people more times than we could comprehend! We all have been tested by enemies, ‘frenemies’, strangers, family, co-workers and even fellow Christians.I would say the attack that leaves me the most speechless is the kind that comes from people that are in upper positions in ministry. It is just one of those things that when it happens makes you see the kind of behavior that clouds peoples vision from seeing Christ in the church. I cannot say every moment in life will be wonderful during these stressful times but God and His infinite love will teach us all how to come through. We must learn to always be prepared for the confrontations in life that we can expect to happen, especially catching someone during their bad days.
Reading Matthew 5:30: “And if your right hand offend you, cut it off, and cast it from you: for it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish, and not that your whole body should be cast into hell.”
It is easy to realize that this is simply not talking about conflicts within yourself but conflicts that you would face that would prevent you from being forgiving and loving towards others. This scripture wants us to realize that it would be better to cut off the emotional attack through forgiveness as soon as possible; for lingering bitterness is like a poison to a persons soul, eventually destroying the spirit man and woman that dwells within.
Ephesians 4:26 reminds us that to not walk in anger that will cause us to sin irrationally from our feelings of bitterness and frustration. It also speaks to not allow that bitterness to stay within you, not even beyond a single day.
So what do we do when you have no choice but to face the confrontation head on? Through God’s love we must forgive.
One of the toughest parts about love is that you must learn to forgive. There are so many other alternatives that you could do to take the easy way out but forgiveness will not be an easy way to take. For example, if you force the issue and yell at someone, then consider what you got in return. You may feel justified for a few moments but through the actions you gave more hurt than you received in justice.I do realize that sometimes to forgive you must release someone from their silly and senseless behavior. I also know that behavior leaves you to feel that something should happen to right the wrongs they have caused. To forgive you must realize no matter what the offense that it is not your right to defend yourself through the feelings of your injustice. Although it may feel good in the short term to lash back out or speak your mind one must ask: what do you gain from your actions? What do people gain from your witness as a Christian if the expressions that you present match up with our image above?

Grace, Marvelous Grace

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Romans 3:9-24

[9] What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
[10] As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
[11] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
[12] They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
[13] Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
[14] Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
[15] Their feet are swift to shed blood:
[16] Destruction and misery are in their ways:
[17] And the way of peace have they not known:
[18] There is no fear of God before their eyes.
[19] Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
[20] Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
[21] But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
[22] Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
[24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

1 – a blessed change comes to pass in a sinners state when we become a true believer, regardless of whatever we were before. God cannot be at peace with a sinner while we are under the guilt of sin. A justification takes away the guilt, and through our justified faith in the peacemaker Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven.

2 – We were and are led into this grace, something we did not have before, and by our justified faith and undeserving grace…something happens…we stand! It creates a posture that causes us to rejoice.

3-5 – tribulation worketh patience, suffering produces endurance
and patience experience, endurance produces character
and experience hope, character produces hope

hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Ghost

Romans 5:1-20

[1] Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
[2] By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
[3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
[4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
[5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
[6] For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
[7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
[8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
[9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
[10] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
[11] And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
[12] Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
[13] (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
[14] Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
[15] But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
[16] And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
[17] For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
[18] Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
[19] For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
[20] Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Thank God we have the peace, freely given, that goes beyond what we can understand or comprehend. Thank God for the amazing grace and access to it!

Romans 6:1-7

[1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
[2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
[3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
[4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
[5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
[6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
[7] For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Paul was speaking to those that have oftentimes taken advantage of God’s grace and was saying that not only the sin must die but the man’s carnal nature.

Romans 8:35-39

[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
[36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
[37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
[38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When we come into the almighty grace of God in true submitted unity we come to the revelation that there is nothing formed in the earth, whether carnal or sinful that could conquer or come against what grace performs to the soul. This passage means the world to me: it is one of the most powerful and empowering verses that encourages mankind to look within them and use the grace of God to overcome everything that would try to destroy them. Praise the most high for the abundant, undeserving and mercy-given grace for each and every one.

Making Myself Remember

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As we are on our journey with God, there are plenty of moments that attempt to come along and steer you away. There has to begin to be something stirred up from within you to remind you of how powerful that God is inside of you.

So how do I make myself remember? How do I stir up? How do I fight growing numb?

2 Peter 1:12-14

[12] Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
[13] Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
[14] Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

What we stir up within keeps us. What keeps us is what defines us. What defines us is what people see!

There are plenty of reasons to make yourself stay stirred up, so that you define yourself in some of the following examples:

  • discouragement
  • depression
  • suicide
  • addicitions
  • sadness
  • anger
  • bitterness
  • spitefulness
  • hatefulness
  • rebelliousness
  • being unwilling
  • unhappy
  • easy influenced
  • hard-hearted
  • vengeful
  • disobedience

Needless to say, this list goes on and on. I have to often remind myself as well as others that we are ALL subject to fall unto something, no matter how strong that we consider ourselves.

Hebrews 10:22-31

[22] Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
[23] Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
[24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
[25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
[26] For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
[27] But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
[28] He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
[29] Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
[30] For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
[31] It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

We cannot forget or forsake the fact that assembling ourselves together is a powerful factor when it comes to the spirit of God. If we work together, a church can have an amazing service. On the opposite token, if we work against one another or refuse to make any efforts we will not be in the place that God intended for us to be.

Let us begin to consider one another once more. Let us promote unto good works, or in other words, let us only work on something if it is going to allow growth for the greater good of God in someone’s life. People that are going to be coming in that are in desparate need cannot have us in a place where we will not encourage them. We have to be ready, in and out of season!

We are held accountable for those that come in our midst that do not receive what God had intended due to the lack of obedience of the church. We can get past that if we are always stirred up and fluent in the spirit!