Man I am so sorry I have been MIA lately, my computer is seriously challenging my faith. Please pray that it would last, because right now I can not afford to get an another one! How is everyone doing with their study of Jesus...do not grow weary, stay focused! Jesus draw us closer to You please! Make us desperate for You, even more than we already are! Help us become better followers of You, we need You so badly Lord God. Be with us today as we study Your Holy Word, teach us something new I pray...In Jesus Name. Amen!
Summary...
The last part I want to look at in Matthew 5 I think everyone can relate to at some point in their life. Jesus teaches and talks about revenge or having a love for your enemies. I think a lot of us keep away from people we know to be "evil", and I love my Jesus because He is so radical! He says in verse 39, don't resist an evil person, in other words don't keep a safe distance between you and them. Jesus encourages us to get into their lives, and as we do it don't hold anything back from them. If they ask for money, give it to them...verse 42. If they ask for some of your clothes, give them your best and more than what they ask for...verse 40. This way of living is so far from the way we live isn't. Jesus teaches His disciples, and us His modern day disciples, to not just love those who love us. He says to be like Him, in every way, and love those who love you and hate you.
I think the key to this whole thing that Jesus is asking us to live out is in verse 44. Read it again. Man how hard it is to pray for people who irritate us, or are simply mean and rude to us. I have struggled to do this like so many others, but I know the times I have done it...man it erased my anger so quickly towards that person. We love to be angry, even in times when we have a right to be mad, Jesus tells us to give that to the Lord in Prayer.
Questions...
- Is there someone you are mad at right now or is there someone you consider to be evil and your enemy in life right now? Take some time to simply pray for them and your attitude toward others like them.
Hopefully I will get my computer fixed tomorrow and we will resume our study together! Have a great day or night depending on when you read this!! Love you guys greatly!
tom
2 comments:
One thing I read that really stuck out was verse 48. "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." It's being matured by God and how he wants you to live. Since I'm turning 18 in 7 and half months it's essential that I have myself deeply rooted in GOD and his word and that I'm matured in him to face whatever is placed before me. Living out my "God-created identity" is key to be successful in my life, at least that's the belief I'm under. :) If Christians weren't expected to go that extra "servant mile" would you go and do it on your own or wait until someone told you, that you had to serve people you don't even like? God speaks directly to my heart because I would consider myself an angry kind-of-person. I skip mad, I'm angry and livid then I calm down easily. But praying for the "evil" people really helps out. I've gotten close to people I don't even like because I listen to what God had to say about my maturity levels. I keep thinking of the phrase "GROW UP!" and it scares me. Sometimes I look down on adults (when I shouldn't) when they argue or say they hate someone. It's like slandering that person, like gossip...their tounges are swords and they can kill.
-Mars
His ways are so not our ways! I can remember when i first had to put this Word into action in my life. I so resisted it, then the bitterness in my life was so taking over i just had to submit. Someone had once told me that as i am praying to visualize taking my "enemy" by the had and walking them to the foot of the cross or God's throne and leaving them there. I honestly thought "thats dumb, i so am not going to to that, visualize?" Yeah let me tell you it so works! Not just w/enemies but anyone we maybe struggling with, or even if you have a good friend or family member that is struggling and wants to use you as a life persevere. The crazy side effect of praying for them is that God changes your mind about them. Your suddenly asking God to bless them, looking for ways you can be a part of that blessing. Gotta love Him!
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