Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of my heart and every moment of my day. ...
As I wait for Your leading, this Scripture comes to mind:
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore
‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:9-21).
As I read this passageI think, Why isn’t this love more present in our world, and even our church? It is because this kind of “love without hypocrisy” requires our obedience to Your Word to be an expression of Your Heart in our world. Yes, it is hard. In fact, it’s impossible -- impossible in our own power or wisdom, even with our best determination and religious effort.
But it’s not impossible for You Jesus. And with Your Holy Spirit abiding in us, it’s no longer impossible for us. “Christ in (us), the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). “(We) are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in (us).... If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in (us), He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to (our) mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in (us)” (Romans 8:9-11). “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). In fact, just as You said, “all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23).
So even living like a Christian is possible for us. Even when we’re mad at the evil around us, even as we “abhor what is evil” and fight against it with our prayers and our voices and our votes. But we are desperately dependent on You, You Word, Your Holy Spirit. Apart from You, we can do nothing but just be overwhelmed and overcome by this broken and fallen world in hopeless despair (John 15:5).
But we are not apart from You! You are in us! And Your Word and Your Spirit and Your Faith and Your Hope and Your Love abide in us. So by the power of Your Grace at work within us, we can overcome as we choose to obey and express the power of Your Love in our world.
Prioritizing time daily reading your Word, in prayer, and connecting deeper to Your presence in us is the only way we can have joy in the face of the evil we abhor. It is the only way we can be part of what You’re doing in our world and truly make a difference -- not listening to voices of hate on the internet, shouting and screaming, rioting and raging, not overcoming evil with evil -- but overcoming evil with good while both being diligent in action and fervent in spirit, continually steadfast in prayer and abiding in the power of Your love that conquers all, for Your “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
My family,I pray you may be empowered with the Love that never fails, abiding in you and overcoming the evil you abhor in this world, in Jesus' name. God bless you my friends!
Please share with my your thoughts or prayers with us in the comment box below.
Help Me Help Others Out Of Their Graves!
Help Me Share The Gospel!
I could use your financial support for One Direction Community and my family to jump down into the pits and help lift up those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please commitment to partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758. Thank You!!
Would you like to receive my daily devotions in your email inbox every weekday morning? I can add you to the email subscription list if you message me on FB or email me at garyl@onedirection.community.