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Thursday, April 5, 2012

Enemies: Love One Another

I want to teach my children to have a close relationship with our Lord and Savior. Prayer habits that last a lifetime are most often formed in childhood. As adults model meaningful prayer lives, kids will learn how they, too, can talk to their Creator. That’s why each day this month I will be writing a prayer inspired by a different letter of the alphabet and sharing an accompanying verse from the Bible.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17-21


Heavenly Father, I need wisdom to deal with my adversaries. Help me to do what is right. I will not take it into my own hands, but I will allow You to avenge. Give me the grace to leave it to You to make things right again and the strength to live in peace. Just as Psalm 119:78-80 says, ‘May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause…May my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.’ Amen.

15 comments:

Angela Brown said...

It is often said that we should deal an eye for an eye. Yet, there's someting much more peaceful in love's choice instead of hatred.

Anonymous said...

It's a tough thing to do, but also very necessary for our own well-being. Nice post.

Yadin Bromberg said...

Nice post! I came across your blog via the A-Z Challenge. I now follow you and would love for you to check out my blog over at http://yadinbromberg.blogspot.com

Thanks and good luck with the A-Z Challenge!
-Yadin

Krista McLaughlin said...

I really needed this one today. Sometimes I wish I could repay evil for evil, but it isn't right and God will deal with it in his way and it's much better than mine.

Stephsco said...

This is a great reminder. Ouch. It's so difficult.

A friend of mine at work was recently wronged by a coworker - she's 8 months pregnant, which you'd think would allow for some sympathy from another woman, but instead that woman used my friend's pregnancy to attack her for being "too emotional." The worse part is this woman is very proud that she can "say thing right to your face," even if they are mean and degrading.

I really had to be held back on this. It's hard not to take out my frustration on this woman, who I also have to work with! So I'm thankful for your prayer as a reminder that this woman is probably lashing out from a place of hurt and probably needs prayer.

Jarm Del Boccio said...

What a good reminder, Sylvia...thanks for the encouragement! Enjoy the challenge....

Heather Spiva said...

Oh this is so good. Glad to have found your blog! Greetings from a fellow godly A to Z'er. :)

Sarah Tokeley said...

This is a hard lesson to learn, but a good one to live by.

Unknown said...

Hi nice to meet you. Am now a new follower. Happy A-Z !

CLR said...

New follower! Found you on the A-Z Challenge!

Blessings and Happy Easter!
Come by!
www.hammockinthehoneysuckle.blogspot.com

Carrie

Rob-bear said...

Delightful reflection, Sylvia.

Jay Paoloni said...

A very beautiful post. It's always necessary to remind ourselves to repay evil with good. And this kind of reminder is never outdated.
Enjoy your Easter weekend!

Lindi said...

To love your enemies is one very hard task--and I believe we can only accomplish it with the love of the Lord. That's the love that overcomes.

I love your A-Z theme--:)

Dina Thanki said...

One lesson that is hard to practice sometimes. Great post & theme!

Anonymous said...

Never let me forget Lord how much you have forgiven me