Daily Devotional for Monday January 9, 2017
A Spiritual Test
(Matthew 5:44)
***DAILY PERSONAL PRAYER FOR YOU: Dear Lord, this nation is under your judgment for our sin, wickedness, and rebellion. Help me to be courageous as I stand for you in these perilous times. Use me as a beacon of your light in the darkness of our world today. Though our enemies surround us, the world around me curses you, help me to stand for your Truth that will ultimately defeat the lies of satan. May the evil of this world become so apparent, people will begin to bow their knee to you in repentance knowing YOU are their only hope and only answer! In the name of Jesus…AMEN!!!
I am about to give you a quick spiritual test. What is your attitude towards your enemies? We all have those people in our life that we just can't get along with. We all have those people in our life that don't like us. We all have those people in our life that do not wish us well. What is your attitude towards those people? It is easy to like your friends, but how do you feel about those who do not like you? On the ladder of spiritual maturity, this is a very big rung. How we feel about and deal with those people in our life that are NOT our friends is a major indicator of our spiritual growth and maturity.
Of course, our perfect example in this area is that of Jesus. How did He handle those who were involved in his death? He loved them, He forgave them, and He prayed for them. This becomes the standard we must work to achieve in this area. We must love those who hate us. We must forgive those who mean to do us harm. We must pray for those who are out to get us. You see, the Bible says the Lord will fight for us, that the "battle is the Lord's". The reason God fights for us is that we can get so weary, so worn out, that we become ineffective for God. We become so distracted in fighting those who oppose us, that we lose sight of our mission, which is to serve and glorify Him with our lives.
I realize today that you have people in your life that wish only the worst upon your life. Love those people today, pray for them. Anyone that has allowed bitterness to take such a hold on their life needs our prayers. Those who allow bitterness and hatred to creep into their life are to be pitied. They are hurting themselves, so out of that hurt they lash out at those around them. Pray for them. Pray the Lord will grant them peace. Pray the Lord will take the hatred and bitterness from them and replace it with peace and joy. Love them.
How? In our own strength, it is NOT POSSIBLE to love, or pray for our enemies. That is when we need to tap into the strength only God can give us. In our own strength, it is virtually impossible to love and pray for our enemies. But when we let God take over, when we call upon His strength, it is possible.
AND THIS IS WHAT THE LORD IS CALLING YOU TO DO TODAY!!
Make a list right now of everyone in your life that means you harm. Make a list of your enemies. My suggestion is that you call each on or meet with each one and tell them you love them, forgive them, and are praying for them. At worst, sit down each morning and pray for them.
THIS IS WHAT GOD IS CALLING YOU TO DO TODAY!!!
I love you and care about you so much. I realize that these are difficult words to hear, and even more difficult to put into action. Trust me, there is a key of freedom attached with what I am telling you today. A freedom that you cannot begin to understand. This is a test, a spiritual test. I will pray for you today that you pass it with flying colors.
It is no accident that you are reading these words today. God is clearly speaking to you. Take a few minutes right now and pray for all of those in your life that are not your friends, that are against you. Pray for their souls, and pray the Lord will bless them and open their hearts to His love.
God is calling you today to rise above the day to day emotions of life. Realize that the wars we fight are not of this earth, not of flesh and blood, but are spiritual. Pray for your enemies today, and be like Jesus!!!
In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller