As I have written before, "it is REALLY difficult for me to obey the words of Jesus to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:43-48)
As a follower (not just believer) of Jesus, I cannot pick and choose from God's Holy Word what I will or will not accept as truth that requires my attention and obedience?
I know who's side I'm on - God's - but to love, not just forgive my enemies, requires much more than I, myself, can draw from. I have to lean into God's truth that with Him, even loving my enemies is possible.
With all that is going on in our Country and around the World, it often seems that we are surrounded by enemies attacking from abroad and from within our own borders. Our government, it's agencies, judges, attorneys, special interest and hate groups seem to have the power over us in this time and season of our Nation's history. Those who threaten our way of life and our freedom live in my neighborhood and within my community, and I often imagine a cultural war in our streets with our enemies attacking not only our values and beliefs, but bringing physical harm those they consider their enemies.
Though I could simply ignore the words of Jesus to "love your enemies," I am serious about following, trusting and obeying Him, but never before have I sensed such evil and wickedness in our land and in some of its' people. Before now, I assumed that our enemies were out there, not in here.
In these tumultuous times, I seek to hold onto the eternal hope that I know is real, hoping and praying for those known and unknown to me who may be intent upon destroying the foundations and fabric of our way of life. I pray for a miracle, but also know how the story of the world ends with Jesus coming back to establish His Kingdom on earth "as it is in Heaven." In this time, this season, I believe this could be an amazing time of spiritual revival for our land and it's people. For that I am fervently praying.
How can I love my enemies? I believe it is by realizing that if not for the grace of God, I could be them. I could be an enemy of God, of His goodness, righteousness and His people. I know what I am capable of; I have lied, stolen (bubble gum and changed price tags), hated, wandered away from Him, disobeyed Him, stepped outside of His will, been unforgiving, judgemental and critical of others, and desired to do things my way, rather than His way. Thankfully, He has never left me to my own demise for very long, and He humbles and forgives me. For me, His way is the only way!
Will you join me in praying for our enemies - those who have yet to experience God's love, grace and redemption? Those who are "blind and cannot see." I strongly believe that it is not a coincidence that we are called and chosen to follow Jesus, and we certainly cannot apply His words in our life, without His Spirit within us.
May we be spirit-filled, faithful people of God who are "light and salt" for the lost and those in darkness. And, may we never forget that we, ourselves, are saved by His GRACE and called according to His Name for His sake.
In Jesus Name,
Angie, "a mom like you"
amotherlikeme@gmail.com
As a follower (not just believer) of Jesus, I cannot pick and choose from God's Holy Word what I will or will not accept as truth that requires my attention and obedience?
I know who's side I'm on - God's - but to love, not just forgive my enemies, requires much more than I, myself, can draw from. I have to lean into God's truth that with Him, even loving my enemies is possible.
With all that is going on in our Country and around the World, it often seems that we are surrounded by enemies attacking from abroad and from within our own borders. Our government, it's agencies, judges, attorneys, special interest and hate groups seem to have the power over us in this time and season of our Nation's history. Those who threaten our way of life and our freedom live in my neighborhood and within my community, and I often imagine a cultural war in our streets with our enemies attacking not only our values and beliefs, but bringing physical harm those they consider their enemies.
Though I could simply ignore the words of Jesus to "love your enemies," I am serious about following, trusting and obeying Him, but never before have I sensed such evil and wickedness in our land and in some of its' people. Before now, I assumed that our enemies were out there, not in here.
In these tumultuous times, I seek to hold onto the eternal hope that I know is real, hoping and praying for those known and unknown to me who may be intent upon destroying the foundations and fabric of our way of life. I pray for a miracle, but also know how the story of the world ends with Jesus coming back to establish His Kingdom on earth "as it is in Heaven." In this time, this season, I believe this could be an amazing time of spiritual revival for our land and it's people. For that I am fervently praying.
How can I love my enemies? I believe it is by realizing that if not for the grace of God, I could be them. I could be an enemy of God, of His goodness, righteousness and His people. I know what I am capable of; I have lied, stolen (bubble gum and changed price tags), hated, wandered away from Him, disobeyed Him, stepped outside of His will, been unforgiving, judgemental and critical of others, and desired to do things my way, rather than His way. Thankfully, He has never left me to my own demise for very long, and He humbles and forgives me. For me, His way is the only way!
Will you join me in praying for our enemies - those who have yet to experience God's love, grace and redemption? Those who are "blind and cannot see." I strongly believe that it is not a coincidence that we are called and chosen to follow Jesus, and we certainly cannot apply His words in our life, without His Spirit within us.
May we be spirit-filled, faithful people of God who are "light and salt" for the lost and those in darkness. And, may we never forget that we, ourselves, are saved by His GRACE and called according to His Name for His sake.
In Jesus Name,
Angie, "a mom like you"
amotherlikeme@gmail.com
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