Weekend Words

 From Our Daily Bread...

But I'm Telling You - Read Matthew 5:43-48

"But I tell you, love your enemies." (Matthew 5:44)

"I know what they're saying.  But I'm telling you..."  As a boy, I heard my mother give that speech a thousand times.  The context was always peer pressure.  She was trying to teach me not to follow the herd.  I'm not a boy any longer, but herd mentality's still alive and kicking.  A current example is the phrase: "Only surround yourself with positive people."  Now while that phrase may be commonly heard, the question we must ask is: "Is this Christlike?"

"But I'm telling you..." Jesus uses to lead-in a number of times in Matthew 5.  He knows full well what the world is constantly telling us.  But His desire is that we live differently.  In this case, He says, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (v.44).  Later in the New Testament, the apostle Paul uses that very word to describe guess who?  That's right: us - "while we were God's enemies" (Romans 5:10).  Far from some "do as I say, not as I do," Jesus backed His words with actions.  He loved us, and gave His life for us.

What if Christ had only made room in His life for "positive people"?  Where would that leave us?  Thanks be to God that His love is no respecter of persons.  For God so love the world, and in His strength we are called to do likewise. 

- John Blase

When's the last time someone extended love to you when you weren't "positive"?  What's a tangible way today that you can show love to an enemy?

Father, it's tempting to surround myself with only those who love me.  But that's not living, or at least not the kind of living You desire for me.  Help me to love even my enemies.

From Be Still and Know...

"Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing in prayer" (Romans 12:12)

We are not guaranteed a life of ease and happiness when we become Christians.  Problems still come; adversity and affliction still strike.  Paul has given a formula in today's Scripture verse to help maintain our spiritual radiance.

First there is the "Radiance of Rejoicing."  We are to rejoice in hope.  Without hope, life can become unbearable.  We hope things will be better tomorrow.  We hope to be taken out of our present circumstances.  The Christian can rejoice in this hope in his Christian life, for it becomes real through Jesus Christ.  "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).

Our hope reaches beyond today, even beyond our present life.  It reaches into eternity.  This is the hope of His return.  "Looking for that blessed hope" (Titus 2:13).  We can rejoice in the midst of our trials today because our "Rejoicing Hope" is assured.

Next, there is the "Radiance of Patience."  We are to be patient in tribulation.  Tribulation literally means "pressing together," or "pressure".  We need to learn patience.  God uses tribulation to teach us patience - being patient under pressure.

To develop patience we must be placed in situations where we are given opportunities to grow.  The trial that requires patience to endure it, develops the patience to endure.  In James 1:3 and 4 (LB) we read, "For when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems.  For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete."

Then there is the "Radiance of Prayer."  We are to continue steadfast in prayer.  Prayer will keep our hope alive, and give endurance for our present needs.  An effective prayer life lifts us above our circumstances.  God has told us to pray; not "if you pray" but "when you pray."

In prayer we have fellowship and communion with God.  But prayer is for more than fellowship.  It is being in partnership with Him in accomplishing His great eternal purpose and plan. Are we maintaining our spiritual radiance?  Are we rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, and steadfast in prayer?

From Amish Peace...

In this life, focusing on what we lack is easy, but the Bible reminds us that little is much in the sight of the Lord.  With God, a little oil can provide more than enough for a poor widow and her sons.  With Jesus, a few loaves of bread and some fish can feed a multitude.  Luke 16:10 reminds us, "If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones."

Sometimes we believe we know what we want in life, but God has different plans.  True joy comes not from looking at what we're lacking but from having a singleness of heart to worship God and to rejoice in His goodness in whatever state we find ourselves.

Dear heavenly Father, forgive me for the discontent that stirs within me in the areas of my life that don't live up to my own expectations.  Help me to rejoice in the people and relationships You've brought into my life, and give me a singleness of heart that pursues my relationship with you above all else.