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One thing we should always remember and keep in mind is that everyone
around us is fighting some sort of battle. Everyone has their own
personal struggle whether physical, financial or emotional and they need
the same encouragement, affirmation and love that we need when we face
difficult moments in life. Everyone is deserving of love no matter what
they have done in times past. There are moments when we don't feel like
encouraging or lifting up that one who has hurt us or done something wrong
against us in times past, but what we must quickly realize is that we are
commanded by God Almighty to love the unlovable, to forgive the
unforgivable and to lift up and strengthen those who are downtrodden.
Doing these good things isn't easy when we are ruled by our flesh, but if
we are walking in the Spirit as the Lord commands us, then following
through with God's mandate will be easier to undertake and fulfill.
Be encouraged to have a forgiving heart towards those who have hurt you in
times past and are having a difficult time in their life presently. Allow
yourself to be that beacon of hope and love that can encourage them,
nurture them and show them the love of Christ that dwells within you. We
must remember that our main objective in life is to be an example of the
Lord Jesus Christ and allow our life to be the catalyst to which all
people will come to know Him as we do. Leading our life as a living
testimony of God's love will be a life well lived. We don't need the
riches of this world, we don't need the notoriety that so many seek, but
we do need to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord and one that brings
honor to His Name.
When we love others despite their inadequacies, we are sowing into their
life hope, encouragement and affirmation that they wouldn't get otherwise
and once those seeds take root, they will bring forth a wonderful harvest.
A life lived loving others is a living testimony that will remain on this
Earth long after we are gone from it. I pray that you will take it upon
yourself to be that vessel in which the lives of multitudes are changed
for the better forever.
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to see that love
and forgiveness are the greatest weapons that we can use to draw people
closer to the Lord.
LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
Some years ago, a tiny Korean orphan arrived in the United States to join
her adoptive family. She was nine months old and weighed only 9 ½ pounds.
She grew and blossomed in her new home, but remained a diminutive size.
Her new name was Edie.
One day when Edie was in second grade, she ran home from school, crying.
She was frightened. That day, three new girls had been enrolled in her
class. During the first recess, they picked the smallest girl in the class
as the object of their anger and frustration. They pinched, poked, and
pushed tiny Edie and threatened to beat her up. Edie had spent an hour in
the principal's office with the three girls and was assured the teachers
would be watching. The girls were given a warning.
Edie's mother held her little one and comforted her. She learned later,
after speaking with the principal, that the girls had been troublemakers
at several other schools. They were being given one more chance at a new
beginning.
"These girls must have been very hurt in their young lives to be so angry.
Her mother said. “The Bible tells us, "Be kind to your enemies, and pray
for those who persecute you. Edie, let's pray.” Then they prayed for the
girls and asked the Lord for a plan of action.
A plan began to take shape. “I can't go to school with you every day, so
you will need to stay close to a teacher when you are at recess or in line
to go into school.” said Edie's mom. “If the girls start to pick on you,
tell them, 'I'd really like to be your friend.' Are you brave enough to
do that?” Edie's mother asked. “The Lord asks us to be kind to our
enemies, let's see what happens, okay?”
The tiny girl perked up, and with a smile, looked at her mother and said,
“Yes, Mom, I'll try.”
The next morning, and every day before Edie left for school, she and her
mom prayed for her to be safe and brave, and for the girls to be open to
God's love. Every day, the girls shoved into line behind Edie and called
her names and tried to get in a poke or two.
Each time, Edie looked up at them and said, “I'd really like to be your
friend.” She did have to look up at them since they were so much taller
than she was. The teachers kept an eye on the proceedings, but did not
need to interfere as the girls were not hurting her.
After about two weeks, Edie came home looking so discouraged. She told her
mother that she didn't think it was working. After they talked about it
some more and prayed, she decided to keep trying and continued to
faithfully tell them, “I'd really like to be your friend.”
One day the following week, Edie ran home as fast as she could and ran
into the house shouting, “Mom, Mom, guess what happened today? Just like I
always did, I said I'd really like to be your friend, and one of the girls
said, "Okay, Edie, we give up, we'll be your friend.”
Edie and her mom thanked the Lord for His faithfulness.
A short time later, as the girls were trying to become friends, Edie asked
the teacher if she could sit at a table with these girls in the classroom.
She had noticed that they were disruptive because they didn't understand
the lessons. Edie became their tutor.
Toward the end of the school year, when Edie's parents went to school for
a parent teacher conference, the teacher told them, “Because of Edie's
kindness, those girl's have completely turned around and are productive
members of the class.” She felt she had witnessed a miracle. And so did
Edie's mom and dad.
How many people go through life never experiencing kindness? They don't
see it in strangers, and some don't even find it in their own families.
Without experiencing kindness, it becomes impossible to express kindness
toward others. The result of this tragic lack is seen everywhere. What a
different society this would be if everyone who has received kindness
would be kind to others, especially the unlovely.
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good
to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and
persecute you.” Matthew 5:44
Author Unknown
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Galatians 6:1-4 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are
spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering
thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so
fulfill the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something,
when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own
work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”
Galatians 5:22-26 “...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified
the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us
also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one
another, envying one another.”
Philippians 2:3-7 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in
lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not
every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the
form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself
of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in
the likeness of men.”
Ephesians 4:23-27 “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye
put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true
holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his
neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not:
let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: MESSAGES TO REMEMBER
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem110.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: JESUS MY DELIVERER
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony136.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
