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Love One Another As Jesus
Has Loved You
Devotional Example
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Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with
another... 1 Corinthians 6:7
In the 1st letter Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, he was very upset
at many things the people were doing. They were filled with anger
and bitterness, taking each other to court...and Paul wanted
to correct them quickly, before they ruined their power to witness
to unbelievers...and destroyed each other.
He reminded them of the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5:44-48...
Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to
those who despitefully use you and persecute you...for
you will then be called the children of God.
Just as in Paul's time...God's people today are fighting
and quarrelling with one another. Threats of war, divorce,
and lawsuits are an every day occurrence...and it is a set up
from Satan to keep God's people from walking in
peace and power.
In Matthew 6 Jesus taught his disciples to pray. In the Lord's
prayer...we ask God to forgive us our sins, as we forgive others.
Jesus said, For if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will
your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses.
In reading these scriptures, we see that forgiveness is not an option
up for debate with God.
If Christians spend all their time suing one another and judging one another,
they don't have time to love each other and spread the gospel.
This war between husbands and wives have caused thousands of children
to live in 1 parent homes or in homes where people choose to live
with various partners, rather than to go through the pain of another
divorce.
Many teenagers and young adults are having children without
being married, because they never want to go through the pain
they experienced in their childhood.
God hates divorces and the effects it has on his children.
He says, if we go to the altar and remember that we have a fight
with another person, we are to leave our gift at the altar and first
be reconciled with our brother, spouse, or children.
Many are sick and hurting today because they refuse to forgive.
They live in a constant cycle of hate and anger. Children are
feeling torn between 2 parents like a rag doll and eventually
may begin to act out their rage and anger on themselves or one another...
in the form or suicide, rape, homosexual behaviour, drugs, or murder.
This violence and abuse fills the entire family and our world...
with this bitter cancer called hate.
Husbands and wives are to love and respect each other. Children are to
love and honour their parents. If we treat others as we wish to be treated,
we model the pattern our LORD taught us... to serve one another in love.
In 1 Corinthians 7 Paul wrote; the wife is not to leave her husband
and the husband not his wife...even if one party is an unbeliever.
For God says...
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving
wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now
are they holy. 1 Corinthians 7:14
If the unbelieving husband or wife leaves, the other party is no longer
under the obligation...but one never knows if God's plan is for
the believing spouse to save the husband, by acting in a godly behaviour.
God works in mysterious ways, and sometimes persecution in the home, is
simply a test, to allow God to show his love through You!
I have a friend whose children were fighting violently
in a custody battle over a child, from a previous relationship.
The anger and rage filled both sides of the family tremendously.
In court, the little boy's grandmother was so filled with hate, she
threatened to kill the man and his new wife...if they won
custody of her grandson.
The court ruled in my friend's, daughter and son-in-law's
favor and they were filled with joy at the outcome of the trial.
The young couple was also excited about the birth of a new baby, and
hoped to raise the boys in a home of peace and harmony.
Not long afterwards, the grandmother in her 70's, took a loaded
gun and shot my friend's daughter and son-in-law. Her daughter
was killed, and the son-in-law went through many painful weeks
in the hospital. Both boys now will never know the love of their
mother's or grandmother...and the grandmother will spend
the rest of her life in prison.
How many lives are shattered because of unforgiveness and
unresolved conflicts. It is easy to see why God gave us his
holy word to teach and guide our steps...
Man left to himself, will eventually self destruct. Let's make
every effort to live in peace with all of God's children.
Jesus said...
By this will all men know you are my disciples, if you love one another!!!
In Matthew 18, Jesus told a story of the unforgiving servant. He was
forgiven all his debt by his master, but refused to forgive his brother.
Jesus instructed us to forgive from the heart, or one day, we may be
delivered to the tormentors, until we can pay all our debt. These
scriptures enlightened
me to realize how much God hates unforgiveness.
Like Jesus, the Apostle Paul was no stranger to abuse and pain,
yet he continually strove to model the behavior of Jesus...
to be loving and forgiving!
Paul left us some beautiful words to remember...
Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace;
and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:11
These 2 poems were ones God placed in my heart, as I reflected
about the death of my friend's daughter...Perhaps they will speak
to someone today as well...
Lord Teach My Parents
Dear Lord, the parents that gave me life...
Now hate each other and live and strife.
They act as if I was not there.
They scream and yell and do not care...
That by them breaking our family apart.
It makes me cry and breaks my heart.
Lord; tell them not to make me choose,
Who to love and who to loose.
I pray that you will make them see,
that parents are supposed to be...
Teachers of how we are to act.
Not showing anger, violence, or getting others back.
Remind them that seeds of kindness and love...
Grow children with strong roots, blessed from above.
Jesus, I ask you on bended knee...
Teach them love and forgiveness, like you have taught me.
Valerie Bauer Rousseau
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; That ye may be the children of your Father
which is in heaven. Matthew 5:44-45 KJV
Divorce Is An Ugly Disease
Divorce is such an ugly disease.
For years the hate and lies will breed.
We're trapped in a prison of self-pity and pride.
And in the past...we continually hide.
Our children are suffering and dying inside.
They're searching for love, that they cannot find.
For we are too busy... to notice their pain.
So they find their comfort from drugs, sex, and gangs.
The example's we've set have now led them astray.
We have to go back to the Lord's plan today.
God's word will provide the direction you need.
To give them the values and love that they seek.
You will not be sorry you sought out God's will.
Your life will be blessed and your heart will be filled.
With joy that in seeing your children now grown...
Are strong through the Lord, and are never alone.
Valerie Bauer Rousseau
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
Luke 23:34 KJV
O most merciful Father,
Thank you for your word to teach us the error of our ways. All around us
we see the tears of the children, the broken homes, the anger and hate...
which is eating a hole in the hearts of your people. Teach us to forgive
and give us the strength and ability to be loving examples of your light
and compassion. Mend the broken hearts and make us whole.
Father forgive us...
In Jesus' name we pray...
Amen
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