Kindness

"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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

                                                       Matthew 5:43-48 

If there was someone who had a "right" to fight back and treat others harshly it would have been the Lord. Unjustly arrested, unjustly tried, lied against, unjustly condemned and unjustly crucified. Yet, he prayed for those who persecuted Him.

No where in Scripture do we as New Testament Believers have the "right" to mistreat others, even though (as we believe) they might deserve it. Even God causes His sun to shine and His rain to fall on the evil and the good. If we are to be perfect as our heavenly Father is, it is to love all; even our enemies and those we dislike the most.

Today lets be kind and considerate to those around us, in Christ-like humility. 

prayer:

Father, thank you for your Word. I pray that I will be kind and considerate to others and love them, even though I may not like them. May I love others as You love them, I praise You. In Jesus name, amen.  

Set Apart

"May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
                                                                    1Thessalonians 5:23

As Believers we are all called to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord.

The other day I was watching a spot on TBN about the Christian players on both teams of this past Sunday's Super Bowl. One player was being interviewed and he mentioned how there are many on the team who call themselves Christians but don't walk the "walk". In other words they claim the name of Jesus but their daily lives fall short of living by His principles.

This is what the Apostle Paul is expressing in this verse. That it is God's desire that we are sanctified through and through; that our spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless until we meet the Lord face to face. God desires purity in our motives, our actions, our thoughts, our desires, in everything that we do, that we are allowing the Lord to set us apart for Him in all areas of our entire being. That we will be consecrated wholly to Him.

Today lets allow the Holy Spirit to work His mighty convicting and cleansing touch in our lives.

prayer:
Lord Jesus help me be set apart entirely for You. That You would sanctify and cleanse every area of my life, that I would not just name your Name over my life, but I would daily walk pleasing to You. Thank You Lord. Amen. 

He is our Peace

"And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen"
                           Romans 16:20

In times of difficulties and trials its comforting to know that God is a God of peace. The Scripture says that His peace surpasses all our understanding. That it will keep our hearts and minds, through Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:7)
We do not need to be pulling our hair out and stressing over things, in Christ we can have peace that will keep us secure. Sometimes its easy to get caught up in the natural stresses that come with life, but God's Word promises that we don't need to fret and stress like the world because He is our peace and He desires that we rest in His peace.

Know today, He is your peace that surpasses all natural understanding.

prayer:
Lord Jesus I thank you that You are my peace, when things are not going the way I think they should You promised to be with me in the midst of the storm. Thank You that You are in control, give us peace in our circumstances. I praise You, Amen.

Bless the Lord

"BEHOLD, BLESS the Lord, all servants of the Lord, who serve by night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands to the sanctuary and bless the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion, He who made heaven and earth."
                                                                     Psalm 134 (NAS)

In this Psalm King David is exhorting all those who were assigned to sing and minister to the Lord in the Tabernacle. You could say they were "professional" singers and worshipers, it was their job to continually praise the Lord and exalt Him 24 hours a day. What an incredible job and experience this must have been.

As New Testament Believers we too are exhorted from this Psalm to continually bless the Lord, at all times and in all circumstances. We are kings and priests to the Lord, and it is marvelous to know that we can bless the Lord at anytime. We do not need to be in church or with other Believers, we are exhorted to bless the Lord at all times.

Today, let us set aside some time to worship and bless Jesus and exalt Him; because He is worthy.

prayer:
Lord Jesus, I bless Your name today. You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords, You made the heavens, the earth and everything in it. I praise You that You are King of all. Thank you for life, and all the blessings You have given me, may I never forget each one. I praise You Lord. Amen.