ENEMIES

Sunday devotional, 7/8/12

Enemies is a strong word.  Perhaps you feel you have no enemies, but most of us can think of at least one person who rubs us the wrong way.  It may be someone with an annoying habit, or a person who has little tact and makes us feel uncomfortable.  Perhaps there is an individual in our lives who has spread a rumor about us that really bothers us.  Or maybe it is something not directed toward us but rather hurts someone else, and we are upset that they "get away with it".   This could be something we hear about on the news and we get worked up about "what this world is coming to".  There are even whole groups of people that may frustrate us because they don't "follow the rules" or meet our expectations, like people who run red lights or cheat on their taxes, or immigrants coming into the country illegally or not "learning the language".   Sometimes it is even more personal and someone's actions create a situation where we feel threatened or they have directly harmed us such as robbery, rape or even murder of someone dear to us.  We may even hold a resentment against someone for something they did years ago and we just can't find it in ourselves to forgive them.  These are all "enemies" in some fashion.   

What are we to do about our enemies?  First, realize that we, ourselves, are probably someone else's enemy, and we need to work on ourselves and ask for forgiveness. Then we can pray for our enemies, asking God to bless them as richly as we want blessings for ourselves and those we love the most - praying for them sincerely EVERY DAY.  Then do good toward them, helping them with all their needs instead of shunning or ignoring them or trying to repay them with evil thoughts and actions.  This gradually can help create love in our hearts for them if we allow it and eventually lead us to forgive them, just as we ourselves have been forgiven. Forgiveness does NOTHING for the person we are forgiving - instead, it releases US from the resentment and anger that eats away inside of us.  These are the things the Bible tells us to do about our enemies.

We are someone else's enemies too; we are even God's enemies:

For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  Romans 5:10 NIV

Work on your own issues first:

 ^"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."  Luke 6:41-42 NIV

Pray for them:

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you... ^{Matthew 5:43-44 NIV}

Bless them:

 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.  ^{1 Peter 3:9 NIV}

Love them and do good to them:

 “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.  Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.  Do to others as you would have them do to you."  ^{Luke 6:27-31 NIV}

Forgive them:

 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.  Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Luke 6:37-38 NIV

                 

written by Jan Andersen

Saturday Devotional...Balloons and God's Attributes

Good morning!

Do you sometimes feel kind of dry when you are trying to approach our God in a daily quiet time, Perhaps it is hard to clear your mind to hear His voice in our minds and hearts. Perhaps the cares and plans of the day keep crowing in and interrupting your prayer. Maybe even someone in your family has a need to talk even though you might be with your Bible or devotional in hand.

The world crowds in no matter what the interruption may be. In times like this it is nice to have a kind of crutch to help you keep your prayer in the forefront in spite of the challenges to that. 

We have a page in Women's Focus Ministries that is written by our Writing Team. The writing posted there to day is by Cathy Friberg. She ends her writing with what she calls the "Precious Attributes" of God. She has a list for Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In my way of looking at it any one of these attributes provide something to ponder and meditate upon, and I think that they are good anchors when the helium baloons of life threaten to take you away from your dvotional time.

Written by Corinne Mustafa

Here is a link to that page and Cathy's wonderful writing. The ATTRIBUTES are listed at the end.

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7200211789437429818#editor/target=post;postID=1388211030275189286

Friday Devotional...Hold On

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I sure get down in the Mulley Grubs (as the saying goes). I didn’t know what to write this week for my weekly devotional….I certainly didn’t feel inspired. I sat in the stillness just listening and hoping for something from the Lord, when this old hymnal came to mind called “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand”.

I didn’t know the lyrics, but knew in my heart that this was probably the Holy Ghost prompting me to enter in. So I went on You Tube and pulled up this song, sang by different inspirational groups…and as I played this old church song and listened to the burden and the faith of these old time singers… I broke into a river of tears, my soul reached out to God’s unchanging hand and once again I picked up my weary soul and here I am.

A few of the lyrics say:

“Build your hopes on things eternal, hold to Gods unchanging hand

    Trust in him who will not leave you, hold

     to God's unchanging hand"

If I have any readers of this devotional, I urge you to go on You Tube and listen to this timeless old song, and I guarantee you that before you know it….you’ll be in the spirit speaking and singing with tears unspeakable. For this is still true, We Must...

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand

Written by: Glenna Williamson

Here is a link to listen to this song on YouTube. Please click on it...

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=hold+to+gods+unchanging+hand+lyric&mid=7D98E909552EED11A4FF7D98E909552EED11A4FF&view=detail&FORM=VIRE5

Thursday Devotional...:Have Faith...

...And Wait in Joy and Peace...IT WILL GEL!"

I did something very domestic today. I made plum jam. I had help with the chopping, measuring, stirring and so on. As each batch had to be boiled to a certain point, I kept time, adding minutes 2 and 3 at a time. The recipe suggested 10 minutes would be enough to change plums and sugar into jam. At 12 and 13 minutes I was happily testing every 2 minutes. At 20 minutes I was worried that I had failed and missed something. Surely it should be jam by now! At the 25 minute mark I finally saw a glimmer of the jelling. Then it was easy to wait because I had seen evidence of progress.

As a parent I have often waited impatiently for a child to show signs of maturing into their next season. When a 16 year old was more similar to a 12 year old (or even a 6 year old) I would begin to fret and be concerned that I had failed and missed something. I have learned the hard way that when God says not to worry He is telling me that the jelling point will come at just the right time.

Just like sugar and fruit will boil into jam, people will progress in God’s perfect time. Now when I catch myself worrying about the prospects of a child, or their decisions, I pray over them. I pray for God’s will and ask Him to help me let go of my ideas and trust that as He has led me through my own life, He will be there for my child on their own journey.

Philippians 4:4-6 (New Living Translation)

Always be full of joy in the Lord.

I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Don’t worry about anything;

instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Dear Lord, thank you for gently drawing each one of us along Your path of Truth. Please give me the strength to allow each loved one in my life to reach their own jelling point. I choose to not depend upon my own wisdom and understanding but will strive to acknowledge You in everything in my life. In Jesus name, amen.

Written by Mary M. Wilkins

Wedneday Dev0tional 7/4/12.. "Today Is The Day Of Salvation"

Is The Day Of Salvation"

Little did my husband and I know what appeared to be a low key Sunday evening would turn out to be a night of adventure and a life that would be forever changed!

Let me begin my God story on a quiet Sunday evening that my husband and I decided to walk to the neighborhood Taco Bell fast food establishment. We thoroughly enjoyed our walk there and worked ourselves up a good appetite. As we walked into the restaurant, we noticed that a young gentlemen waiting to order had an extremely glassy eyed stare that was somewhat out of sorts. We also overheard the conversation of a young women on her phone that was obviously quite distraught and emotionally upset. She talked quite loudly and this continued for some time. Eventually the young gentlemen we saw when we first came in went to sit with her when he had gotten his food.

My husband and I received our food and found a booth not too far from the couple. When she was off the phone, she and her boyfriend began to engage in a very intense conversation. Harsh words were exchanged until the boyfriend decided to leave the building. The young woman began to hold her hands to her face and weep.

During this time my husband I were trying to figure out what we could do to help. My thoughts were to offer up prayer for them, but finding the best time was a little tricky. In time the boyfriend came back to the restaurant and continued on with a conversation with the woman. Angry words continued to fly and the conversation escalated where it was clear the relationship was not getting any better. The women then decided to leave and the boyfriend followed after her trying to convince her to stay with him.

We also left, since we were through eating. As we walked outside the young woman approached us asking for cigarettes. My answer to her was no, but could we pray for you? She immediately answered back with a resounding yes! Would you please pray for me! She then hugged me tightly and we prayed. I prayed for her while my husband was ministering to her boyfriend. She asked me to pray for her babies that she no longer had custody of. I also asked if you would like to accept Jesus, in which she was more than ready to do. She prayed the salvation prayer and I prayed for her for peace and that God would take care of her babies.

All the while my husband was talking to the two of them 4 police cars pulled up. The manager had apparently called them because of the disturbance they were making in the restaurant. I assured the women she now had assurance that she would be in heaven when she died and that God would take care of her and her babies. The young man, who smelled strong of alcohol was not quite ready to make a commitment to Jesus. We soon left the couple to work the situation out with the law.

God's word tells us in John 1:12 "But as many as recieved Him to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." This past Sunday evening Charlene surrendered her life to Jesus and now has that full assurance that she will spend eternity with Christ. Her life was forever changed from distress and hopelessness to hope and peace and a future with Christ
.

In His Love,

Sandy Billingham

Tuesday Devotional...God Has Plans for Us

I Will Bring You Back

 

10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me,
when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD:
and I will turn away your captivity,

and I will gather you  from all the nations,

 and from all the places whither I have driven you,

saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place

 whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Jeremiah 29:10-14

God promises, "I'm going to bring you home. You will no longer be in exile. I will give you the promised land. I will give you My rest." We have been seeking "the rest of God"'the true Sabbath, in His Kingdom (Hebrews 4). He says He will give it to us because of His good plans in His heart for us. He wants these good things to be given to us.

So He urges us to continue on, to build our families and to strengthen the ties between, not only within the family, but with other families of His people. We are to overcome, grow, and produce fruit, so that we will have the heart that will seek Him in everything. And if we can, to grow in numbers. He wants us to be increased and not diminished, if possible. He also advises us to be at peace with other men, to have the peace around us in which we can grow in righteousness and holiness and transform into His image.

When we do those things, and God's time is right, He will bring us out of our exile. But not until then. He is the one, the Master Timekeeper, and when He says it is the right time, it will be the very best time for us to come out of exile. From wherever He has scattered us, He will bring us back and settle us, giving us true rest in His Kingdom.

submitted by : Annie

Monday Devotional...I Have Plans

Plans for You

“For I know the plans

 I have for you,” says the Lord.

“They are plans for good

and not for disaster,

to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11

A million things come to mind. I’m serious! That much comes to my mind.

As a writer, often I will have in mind a beginning and an end to a piece of writing. Then what to put in the middle is a different thing all together. But then again, as a writer, I’m dictating every stroke of my pen, but God does not dictate. He allows and intercedes into our choices to bring about His plans. Still there’s a million different choices that we can make in life. There’s no telling how many of them He’ll allow and how many He won’t.

Would I be where He wants me to be had I made different choices? Does He have a set number of plans that He determines will happen in my life regardless of my choices had I not made the rebellious choices in my teenage years, if I had not given birth to a child out of wedlock, if I had not chosen to stay home and be “domestic” instead of taking that promotion at work, would he still bring about that same plan?

What about the choices that were not my own? If I had not been removed from the Christian school, if I had not the sinful exposure to a number of things growing up, if my daughter’s biological father had not chosen to walk away from responsibility, would He still bring about the same plans?

Yes, there’s a million different ways a life can go at every turn, and He will allow it if He can use it to bring about His plans. Likewise, there’s just as many ways He’ll say, “No,” too.

If we believe what he says, if we trust that whatever happens, He has allowed it, not dictated it, but allowed it, then we’ve opened ourselves to receive the strength He has available to us to get through it so that we can finally get to those plans.

O.K. My mind does not stop there. He has plans for us in this life and in the life after it. The plans He has for us in eternity keep going from one plan to the next to the next to the next. There isn’t just one happy ending, there are infinite happy endings. I guess they’re not really called endings then. No, they’re plans.

If I keep going, I’ll talk about just the opposite. The plans Satan has for us. Then I’ll open up a whole new Pandora’s Box.

Never mind…I’ll stop where I’m at.  One more thing; can you imagine as a writer, having your beginning and your end as well as each character, but allowing the characters to write the middle themselves. Oh boy! I’m done.

Written by Amie Spruiell