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Loving My Enemies

Loving My Enemies

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I have always been one of those people who try really hard not to carry a grudge. I don’t want that kind of negativity anywhere around me. I would just rather argue it out, and move on. Unfortunately, everybody doesn’t feel that way. 

Now, even though I don’t hold a grudge, I won’t be hanging out with them either. I mean, it’s hard to be friends with people who don’t like you, right? I just know that I can’t let someone else’s bad behavior keep me from all that God has for me.

My pastor preached this morning that every time your enemies speak ill of you, it’s like dirt being thrown at you. And God will allow that dirt to be a stepping stone to elevate you. That woke me all the way up. I was so pumped. 1 Peter 3:9 says, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” 

Look, this says that if I don’t retaliate, and instead keep treating you right, I will inherit a blessing. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want anything coming between me and my blessings. So, if that means I have to keep speaking to you, and watch you ignore me…then that’s what I’m going to do, because I know that according to God’s word peacemakers are called His children. And I know that is who I am.

Until next time…

Be blessed

Things Eternal

Things Eternal

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“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.”  –2 Corinthians 5:1

I read the scripture above at one of my niece’s funerals. It simply says that no matter what is going on with our physical bodies; it is only temporary…because where we’re going that old body won’t be needed anymore.

We spend a lot of time and money on getting these earthly temples in shape. And it seems like we are never satisfied. If we are tall, we want to be just a little shorter. If we are big, we want to be just a little smaller. And even though we might be blessed to still have our own teeth, we would love for them to be just a little whiter. 

The enemy’s number one job is to destroy us, and I think we give him a lot to work with when we can’t be content–with anything. And let me tell you…it doesn’t matter how old or how young we are. Discontent is an equal opportunity destroyer. So, our job is to learn to be like Paul when he says, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” 

Our goal then is to fight the desire to re-do what God has already done. I’m not saying we shouldn’t be the best versions of ourselves. We absolutely should. But what I’m saying is that in the big scheme of things, our earthly house (bodies) doesn’t really matter. The real work is in making sure our spiritual bodies are the main focus. Because when we get that part right, not only will our spirit feel good, but our body will also feel good. 

All of this is temporary. As the old hymn goes…build your hope on things eternal. Stay focused on the part of life that can’t be built or built up by man. Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Until next time…

Be blessed!