While Jesus walked this earth He had many enemies who hated and despised Him…but He never returned that anger with rage of His own. We need to look at His example daily as we deal with unlovable people around us. People may be hostile, but we don’t need to have hostility against them. We may be hated, but we don’t need to be hateful back. Anger will never be calmed by more anger.
Tag: name of jesus
Hebrews 12:14 “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
“to be holy”…what does that mean to you? Holiness is an outward expression of an inward transformation when the Holy Spirit takes up residency inside you. It’s a process of realizing the potential within you for humility, purity, faith, and grace. Holiness is a lifelong journey of becoming more like Jesus and less like yourself.
Matthew 13:44 ” The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”
Human beings are an inquisitive lot. We are ever searching, ever seeking, ever pursuing for what we don’t have. Whether it be physical desires or mental enlightenment…the quest is always there. But what are we really searching for in that vast “field” we call life? We trudge along, head down, turning over rocks in this field, when there’s a treasure hidden right under our nose…and it’s called Jesus. A prize so exquisite, that we’ll give up all just for the change to claim it.
Zechariah 7: 9-10 ” This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.’ “
If you took all the “Red Letter” words in the gospels and rolled them together, it would sound like this scripture. Everything Jesus taught is described within these verses. Live your life with integrity, goodwill, and kindness towards all…do not persecute the downtrodden among you…keep your conscience clear of all wickedness.
John 10:29 ” My Father, Who has given them to Me is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”
God’s promise to Believers in this verse is not only one of protection and safe haven in the palm of His mighty hand, but the wonderful promise of eternal life spent in heaven. As Jesus stated in John 17:24, ” Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory…”
Exodus 23:20 ” See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to a place I have prepared.”
The Lord will go before you, directing your path, making ready and providing all that you need along the way. And as He guides you through this journey, He will always be watchful and protective of you…until you reach the final destination that He has lovely planned for you before the beginning of time.
II Corinthians 11:3 ” …from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
You’ve been witnessing to someone for a while now, but they’ll have nothing to do with this “Jesus stuff” you’re trying to push on them. So before you beat them about the head and shoulders with your Bible – consider this. The love that Jesus demonstrated was simple…it wasn’t complicated, or complex. His love was honest, sincere, and straightforward. He loved simply, and simply loved all those around Him. You might want to try this new tactic of simplicity…and love them into the arms of Jesus.
I Samuel 10: 21-22 ” Finally Saul son of Kish was chosen. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. So they inquired further of the Lord, ‘ Has the man come here yet?’ And the Lord said, ‘ Yes, he has hidden himself among the baggage.’ “
We somehow naively think that if we “hide real good”, God won’t be able to find us. But it doesn’t happen that way. You may be hiding from the Lord right now…but if He has called you to do something, He will relentlessly purse you…despite how deep you may have burrowed yourself in amongst the bags. If you have been called of God, He will not change His mind …the only thing you can do is obey, or find a new hiding place.
Proverbs 13:12 ” Hope deferred makes the heart sick…”
I heard a term used this week that really resonated in my soul, both in my long career as a Nurse, and personally. The term was anticipatory grief. I’ve seen this in couples where one of the spouse was dying of cancer. I’ve seen it in Alzheimer Units I’ve managed when the patient can no longer recognize their loved ones and the ravages of the disease process are quickly taking everything else. I experienced it myself that day the Cardiologist told my husband to go home and put his affairs in order. Anticipatory grief is waiting for the other shoe to fall…it’s attempting to prepare for the unknown, not knowing what that is, or what it will even look like. Anticipatory grief will make you hit the Pause button…everything stops…everything is on hold. For a time there is no future…there is no hope…you go into combat mode just to survive. But we can’t stay in combat mode forever…the stress is too overwhelming. We are creatures that need hope to survive…what ever the face of hope is. ” One day at a time” , isn’t just a saying…it’s way to manage anticipatory grief, and the future, whatever it will be.
Romans 13:8 ” Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.”
The Greek word for “fellowman” is quite interesting. On one hand, it means others or another person similar to yourself. But it can also mean someone who is different, diverse, or even foreign to you. Regardless of who they are or what walk of life they come from, we are to love them all as Christ does.
Safetypinlove 