Friday, June 6, 2014

BELOVED ENEMY

Today’s Reading: Matthew 5 

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

The Mount of Beatitudes is located near the North Shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was in this area that Jesus delivered the longest recorded teaching we have on record, Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7. The Church of the Beatitudes can be seen in the distance.

 

Key Verse: Matthew 5:44

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.

 

“Love” and “Enemy” don’t fit together. Sue and be sued! Get even! Jesus makes a demand which is humanly impossible. In verse 39, Jesus tells us that “Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” A while back at a meeting of our Crossroads U.S.A. Board, Rev. Albert Vaters commented on John 15:5, “Without Me you can do NOTHING.” He said that no matter how hard we try on our own, it is worth zero. But he assured us that “With God NOTHING will be IMPOSSIBLE.”

Jesus, the true Revolutionary, is “LOVE.” This is His DNA.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, I invite You to live in me. Only You have lived 100% the words You taught us. I give myself to You. Because of You living in me, “NOTHING shall be IMPOSSIBLE.” Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

It has never been hard for me to pray the prayer that Jesus said would make me right with God, “God be merciful to me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13). The word “sin” originates as an archery term. It means missing the target. My aim, my focus, my prayer is to be like Jesus. Most of the time I miss the bullseye, but there are times when I am conscious that Jesus in me is helping me to hit the mark.

One day I met a young man named Gord at the YMCA. His face was buried in a paper bag. He was sniffing glue. He lifted his head just long enough to spit in my face. Amazingly I felt nothing but love for Gord. I’m 100% sure that was not just me. Jesus was living and loving from within.

In Christ’s love and service,

David

25 thoughts on “Friday, June 6, 2014

  1. When you choose to forgive those who have hurt you, you take away their
    power. Our power is in our relationship with Christ working in and through us. The reciprocals of Jesus’ teaching truly challenge how we are to relate with our adversaries. In so doing, we are avoiding harm to self while maintaining balance. As we surrender our ego to our Lord, He becomes our strength and power at all times! Have a great day, to all!

  2. Sorry I didn’t get back to you yesterday to let you know I am standing with you on this two year journey. I had an unusually early start and I am catching up today. I have followed your blog for several months now and plan to carry on. Thanks so much

  3. Sometimes we need a strong Christian friend, mentor or family member to remind us of our responsibilities as Christains when we are angry with others. This chapter speaks to me, I had an arguement with a workmate, was very angry and intended to take the issue to the big authorities. But a Christian workmate sat me down and reminded me of my responsibilities as a good Christian. I thank God for speaking to me through that friend and every word she said to be made so much sense and gave me the chance to let go of every bitterness I felt in me and all I could think of was all the good things that same workmate had done for me in the past. Sometimes we only need to take a minute to think back, and try to accept that our actions out there to other people is what separate us from the people of the world. Actions speaks louder than words:)

    • Thanks Patricia, and David too. Please God, help us to give you more room in our lives. We need You. Clean us, then we can show others Your ways.

  4. I’m planning to follow your two year reading through the Bible plan, it suits me better than the one year plan

  5. So powerful! Thank you for sharing that story again, David. I remember it. It touched me then and it moves me, now. I forgive sometimes and let go so easily and other times struggle so much; but am reminded over and over again by scripture, and this message, amen! Seeing love in others no matter what they say or do. Letting the love of Jesus breathe and live and become alive through us onto others. Matthew 5 is so powerful! God be merciful to me a sinner, indeed. Will try to write more later. Blessings to all!

    • Dear sister Beverlee ,
      Talking about struggle since Tuesday I have been unable to post my comments .
      Beattitudes is one scripture in the Bible that I often turn to remembering that only through Christ in me I can accomplish what seems impossible and what a peace that goes beyond all understanding He gives us .
      Thank you Jesus, Thank you Lord. Amen .
      xoxoxo Carole.

  6. Greetings,
    I plan to keep on keeping on with you on this two year journey.
    God bless you, David… Praying for you and with you.
    Joan

  7. I started reading your blog today! All caught up. I have been wanting to read through the bible for some time now, but just didn’t. Love it!!

  8. When I am struggling with forgiveness I remember the our Lord died for that person’s sins too, not just mine. There really isn’t anything I can do to them that God didn’t do to them through His Son. Mock them, been done; beat them, been done, shame them in public, been done; whip them, been done. Torture them, been done; kill them, been done. Most times we don’t want to forgive because we crave some form of justice, and or revenge, but when we realize it all been taken care of, we are free to forgive — they didn’t get away with it. The Cross works both way, frees us from sins, but also free us from dealing with other people sins toward us.

    • I do agree with u Donna but it would have been so satisfying to give glue head back his paper bag with a fist behind it. Rev. DM certainlyis blessed.

      • Yes, DM is blessed, but so are all those who have Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I’m so grateful that our Lord didn’t just save me from my sins, but from the sins others commit. I know Satan will like us to believe giving others what we think they deserve in the moment, is satisfying, but it really isn’t. I know from experience that holding onto anger or guilt from lashing out quickly is exhausting, but being free to let go,and forgive, knowing God has dealt with the offence committed, knowing that I don’t need to have that burden, well that has been as wonderous for me as knowing my sins are forgiven. It is a part of Grace that sometimes many Christians forget to partake of.

  9. Dear Rev. David M.
    Trying to post the comments for the last 4 days. Want to try again
    Thank you and God bless you.
    Carole.

  10. Thank you again David for being obedient and doing this walk thru the Bible for a 2nd time. As l read the living Word l feel so wonderfully conne ted to my brothers and sisters who are doing the same. A supernatural love for them and strength fills my spirit. As we move forward in forgiveness and love our world will be changed.
    Love to all of you. One day we will meet.

  11. Proverb 15:1 “a soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger”

    Its not always easy to do; but with God all things are Possible.

    The colours in your photo Reynold Mainse are spectacular!!! Thank you:)

  12. I agree, it isn’t always easy to tun the other cheek, as we do want some kind of justice, but then we must remember that God said revengance belongs to Him.

    It brings my heart peace when I can pray for those who hurt me, not always easy, but with God ALL IS POSSIBLE!! So I turn it over o HIM.

    I love what David said, when you forgive those who have hurt you, you take away their power.

  13. I asked to have 100 words sent to me at this email and I did not receive it. Microsoft would not send ;you a message on the email address you gavel me

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