OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: WEDNESDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2020.
THEME: RESPOND WITH LOVE.
MEMORISE:
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
READ: 1 Corinthians 13:2
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
MESSAGE
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44
As Christians we are called to a lifestyle of love- unconditional love even towards enemies and unfriendly people.
Some years ago, I went to see a man in his office and although he knew I had arrived, he kept me waiting. He probably thought I would get angry and leave, but I waited patiently. Finally, after several hours, he came in to attend to me and met me smiling. He found it hard to believe. “You waited?” He asked and I responded “Yes sir.” Immediately, his previously unfriendly countenance towards me changed. Today, that ‘unfriendly’ man has a house in Redemption Camp. Responding with love to those who wrong you will confuse and win them over to your side.
Have people been hurting you with their words and actions? From now on, smile and do good to them. Is anyone persecuting you because you are a Christian? Why not pray for them to have an encounter with Christ, so they can change? When you report with love to those who hate you, some may see you as a fool and try to advise you otherwise. Ignore them and obey the counsel of Jesus because 1 Corinthians 1:25 says “…..the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
Don’t abuse or insult anybody, your words should be seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6). Don’t try to avenge yourself because vengeance is of God and not man (Romans 12:19). Don’t pray for your persecutors to die because God is not interested in the death of a sinner (Ezekiel 18:23, 32). No matter what you are going through in the hands of anyone, always respond in love. By doing so, you will save yourself and the person too and this is the will of God.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, give me the grace to respond in love to all those who hurt me.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 19-21
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 29: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS.
OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 20TH 2024 TOPIC: ROMANCE IS NOT UNGODLY MEMORISE:…
In this breakout session from TGC’s 2023 National Conference, a panel featuring Vincent Bacote, Steve…
In the recent presidential debate with vice president Kamala Harris, former president Donald Trump said,…
Our attention is in demand, but the quality of our attention often doesn’t matter to…
The announcement “I’m trans” can lob a grenade into the family, throwing everyone into chaos.…
Having Hope: The word “hope” in Jeremiah 29:11 is not a passive wish for things…