No Breaks

Spring break isn't just for a select few: I've enjoyed it as a retiree! A "break" from the usual with an added bonus of dedicated time with family and friends, reading, naps and such. One break that must never come, however, is a day-off from time with The Father! God's Word says, "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8 ESV). Perhaps there's no greater danger than a spiritual day-off! Such a "break" opens the way for all kinds of stuff that lead to temptation and buy-ins to some otherwise bad and destructive habits. When God says "see to it," He is actually calling us to practical wisdom: be aware, be discerning and perceptive, looking for and observing the foolishness and lies of the enemy who will use them to take our minds and spirits hostage and slave to wrong things. Be ever alert and stay on-target by the power of (1) The Holy Spirit that lives within us [as true Believers], and (2) the effective words of Scripture. Faithfulness to Christ demands steadfastness in staying near The Father - absolutely ... no breaks!

Give Up Your Enemy!

Have you ever been blindsided by someone's hostility and wondered "where did that come from?" Perhaps the hostility was brought-on by something you said or did quite unintentionally. Truth is, we don't always choose our enemies nor see them coming. Jesus knew well feelings of rejection and hostility; He Himself was the target of an angry mob, even betrayed by one believed to be His friend and follower yet Jesus loved them all to the end ... all the way to the cross. Jesus said, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you" (Luke 6:27-28). How do we apply these principals, put them into practice? First, we must surrender the all rights to selfishly defend ourselves with our natrual responses - repaying evil for evil. Proverbs 25:21-22 says, "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you." These words echo what Jesus said in Luke! We never know the power of a kind and gentle response as God uses it to still anger and hostility in a troubled soul. It is God alone Who brings peace - He alone changes a heart, and He often uses our kind responses. God knows your enemy perfectly, and He knows how to bring peace from chaos. Do your part - in obedience ... give up your enemy!

Bless Your Enemies

When someone sneezes, we might hear these words - "bless you," which should be followed by the words "excuse me." Jesus uses the word "bless" in a bolder and more resolute way: He said, "But I say to you who hear ... bless those who curse you." (Luke 6:27). Instead of acting unfavorably toward those who act unfavorably toward us, Jesus says we are to show to them the kindness and favor God has shown to us, which is immeasurably abundant! "Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil." (Luke 6:35 ESV). Don't miss those last few words ... "He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil." As we might expect, from the cross Jesus showed kindness to His mother BUT He also was merciful and kind to those who nailed Him to the cross and to the thief next to Him. Hear what Jesus said - See what Jesus did ... bless your enemies.

Pray for Your Enemies

Do you keep a prayer list or prayer journal? Of the names written there, how many are names of those who have mistreated you? I suspect most of us have written their name ... off! Jesus said, "But I say to you who hear ... pray for those who abuse you." (Luke 6:27). Our initial reaction when we are treated unkindly is to pray for ourselves - healing of wounds inflicted, grace to forgive - not for the one who has caused the hurt. From the cross Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them ... they know not what they do" ... a model of how and for whom we should pray! While Jesus is suffering from physical affliction, He doesn't think of Himself but selflessly focuses on the ones who in their sin have hurt Him. Pray for the ones who hurt you! Hear what Jesus said - See what Jesus did ... pray for your enemies.

Do Good to Your Enemies

My grandparents would often say "one good turn deserves another," which is a great way to live life - don't we wish everyone lived by this rule! Jesus said, "But I say to you who hear ... do good to those who hate you" (Luke 6:27). That seems backwards and upside down, doesn't it? It;s not natural nor do we care to do good to those who openly practice bad behavior toward us. "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20). Goodness is modeled for us in Jesus' Who willingly chose to "do good" to those who hated Him ... by the way, that is you and I. Before Christ, we were those no-good sinners who hated Him - the very enemies of Jesus yet Jesus loved us and gave Himself for us. Hear what Jesus said - See what Jesus did ... do good to your enemies.