“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. " ~Luke 6:27-29
Loving our enemies is extremely tough... we find it hard to forgive those who have wronged us, especially because in many cases we feel they deserve punishment for their wrongdoing. God is the only, perfect judge, and to have faith in Him, is to trust that justice will righteously be served. But even so Jesus commands us not to wish and hope our enemies will be punished and get what's coming to them but instead to embrace the beauty of love through forgiveness. How beautiful is it to love an enemy so much that they have to ask, "Why are you doing this?" only to be able to respond, “I am able to love and forgive you because Jesus has loved and forgiven me, and wants me to love and forgive you.”
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Matthew 6:33 - Resolutions
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." ~ Matthew 6:33
Tis the season of battling to keep up with our resolutions. For a few of us, keeping a resolution is a piece of cake (pun intended), for others of us, it's a little more difficult. For most of us, we cannot simply strap up our shoes and hit the road for some cardio and expect immediate results. It takes dedication and an adjustment of priorities. Waking up earlier, being more productive, buying healthier foods.
Isn't our faith growth and our relationship with God just like exercising? Doesn't it take effort and prioritizing? Waking up earlier, being more productive and being more efficient with our time? Jesus says, "...seek first his kingdom and his righteousness." In other words, make God the center of your life, making your faith paramount above all other things. In doing so you will be given "all these things." What things? A fancy car? Money? Popularity? Nope!
The scripture ends with ... "and all these things (NEEDS) will be given to you..." Don't we want all our needs to be provided for? That would be pretty great, right? So if Jesus says that we will receive all that we need if we seek God's kingdom and his righteousness first, why don't we? Are the things we resolute to get/do this year even a NEED?
I challenge you to ask yourself this year, how can I seek God and his kingdom first above all things. It is then that we receive what we need even if it isn't the new car we were hoping for. God will provide, He always does and always will.
Happy New Year!
Tis the season of battling to keep up with our resolutions. For a few of us, keeping a resolution is a piece of cake (pun intended), for others of us, it's a little more difficult. For most of us, we cannot simply strap up our shoes and hit the road for some cardio and expect immediate results. It takes dedication and an adjustment of priorities. Waking up earlier, being more productive, buying healthier foods.
Isn't our faith growth and our relationship with God just like exercising? Doesn't it take effort and prioritizing? Waking up earlier, being more productive and being more efficient with our time? Jesus says, "...seek first his kingdom and his righteousness." In other words, make God the center of your life, making your faith paramount above all other things. In doing so you will be given "all these things." What things? A fancy car? Money? Popularity? Nope!
The scripture ends with ... "and all these things (NEEDS) will be given to you..." Don't we want all our needs to be provided for? That would be pretty great, right? So if Jesus says that we will receive all that we need if we seek God's kingdom and his righteousness first, why don't we? Are the things we resolute to get/do this year even a NEED?
I challenge you to ask yourself this year, how can I seek God and his kingdom first above all things. It is then that we receive what we need even if it isn't the new car we were hoping for. God will provide, He always does and always will.
Happy New Year!
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