Pray for your enemies…

Yesterday as I was jotting down names on my prayer list of people to pray for; It suddenly dawned on me that my list only included my friends.  I did not have anyone on my list that has made me upset, angry, stolen something from me, frustrates me–you get the picture.  It was not until I asked my mom if there were people she wanted me to add to my daily prayer list–without hesitation, she told me to pray for my enemies.

I reluctantly added my enemies to my prayer list. Then I was sad that I had to pray for them.  I realized how much I needed to be like Christ.  “Lord, please cleanse my heart to love the way you do”; I prayed.

Loving my enemies did not mean that I needed to have an intimate relationship with them, but it did mean that I should have them on my prayer list.  God loves us, and he wants us to love each other–not just the people who are easy to love.  Think of someone whom it is not easy to love and add them to your prayer list–God loves them.  Ask the Lord to allow you to pray for them.  I must be like Christ today.  Luke 6:27

Lost People Matter To God

Luke 15:7, Did you know that there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent?  God loves it when lost people return to him.  As a matter of fact, He actively seeks the lost in the world!  Find someone lost today, and lead him or her to Christ.

You are not alone…

In spite of the inevitable struggles you face; you are not alone! Jesus does not abandon you to your struggles. You have the victory, and you can claim the peace of Christ in your most troublesome times.  Jesus has overcome the world!  John 16:33

Whom can you serve today?

There is a special blessing for those who not only agree that humble service is Christ’s way, but who also follow through and do it. John 13:17 (Jesus humbled himself and washed his disciples’ feet) To be a leader, a person must be a servant. How do you treat those who work under you…whether children, employees, or volunteers?

God’s blessings may first lead to pain…

In Luke 1:30-31, we learn of Mary being told that she would become the mother of Jesus! What an honor! Now, God’s favor to Mary was met with much pain for her, at first.  Her friends were cruel  and made comments about her in a harsh way.  Her fiancé Joseph came close to leaving her, her parents were disgraced by her.   Also, when she had her son, Jesus, he was rejected by society and murdered!   However, through Jesus would come the WORLD’S only hope for redemption and salvation.  If sorrow weighs you down today and dims your hope, know this–GOD IS WORKING OUT HIS PLAN!  You must believe it!

Jesus told us to come to You

Father God; in Jesus name we approach your throne of grace.  Jesus told us to come to you directly with our requests.  Simply put, we need your help today God.  We lay before You our needs because You can help us.  Thank you in advance for hearing and answering our requests.  Moreover, thank You for giving us Jesus; who made it possible for us to come directly to You.  Jesus told us in John 16:23 that we can come to You and ask for what we need and You would give it to us.  Thank You for being so generous!  We are not coming with greed in our hearts or fancy wishes, We are just coming to You today for the basic things that we need to survive.   I believe in You and Your Son Jesus.  I’ve accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.  Moreover, thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to be with and live in me.  I love you God!

“IT IS I”…

1) How do you react when you given an impossible task? What we should do is what we can with our might and ask God to do the rest…He may see fit to make the impossible possible. Mark 6:37-42 (Jesus feed 5,000 with two fish and five loaves)

2) Though we may loose sight of Jesus, He never looses sight of us! His concern for us will overcome our lack of faith. So the next time you feel “in over your head,” remember that Christ knows your struggle and cares for you. In times of fear and uncertainty, it is calming to know that Christ is always with us. Mark 6:49 (Jesus walked on water to get to his disciples)

The Lord is always with us even when we don’t expect Him to be. His reply to our surprise of Him being there will be, “IT IS I.”

God’s Plan for us…

may not always be easy.  I struggle with the thought of pain and suffering and wish it never existed.  However, I’ve come to know that whether we are in Christ or not in Christ; we will experience pain and suffering. God has a plan for us, which comes with a PROMISE.  In Jeremiah 29:11, The Lord says, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plan’s to give you hope and a future.”  Isn’t that great news!  If we’ve got to go through; go through with The Lord!  Great things are waiting, just beyond our current circumstances, which are good for us…God promised it!

Remember them…

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.  Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.  Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering. Hebrews 13:3

Love each other…

In John 15:17, Jesus commands us to love each other as He has loved us.  To command someone to do something is an order; typically given by someone who has the power to give orders.  As our Lord and Master, Jesus certainly has the right to command us to do something.

Jesus gave His life for us; that’s how much He loved us.  He gave something precious in order to help us have an eternal relationship with God; a relationship that we could only have by being forgiven of sin. We may not be asked to give up our life for another, however, we can extend the same sacrifice of love to others by listening, helping, encouraging, and giving to them.  Think of someone who needs this kind of love today.  Give them love even if it cost you something.