Weekly Thoughts

Men After God

"And the Lord looked down from heaven upon the sons of man to see if there were any who seek after God." Psalms 53:2

Weekly Thoughts " articles & fun stuff "

Love Who? by Brian Williams, www.theweeklythought.com

    If you have been a Christian very long, you know there are some “hard” teachings of Jesus. These were tough
to live by when Jesus said them and are tough to live by today. One of those “hard” teachings is
found in Luke 6:35, which says “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to
get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to
the ungrateful and wicked.” It’s tough enough to pray for someone who you are at odds with, but to literally do
good to them?
    I have been taught some great lessons recently by seeing this in action. The first was through our Pastor at
Saddleback Church, Rick Warren. He has recently been the headliner in the national media, unfavorably,
because of his acceptance to give the inaugural prayer at the Presidential election. He discussed the
inaccuracies of various media portrayals and will at some point discuss them nationally, but that wasn’t what
struck me most. What struck me how he said God loves every person, even if they oppose us. He went on to
say we must win others with love. He said he and the church will respond the way it always responds to issue –
IN LOVE!
    I heard another story recently relating to Luke 6:35. It was about a woman who survived a Nazi death camp, but
the rest of her family did not. As a young girl arriving at the camp, a German guard pointed her to stand in one
line and the rest of her family in another. Here family’s line led to death. This woman later became a Christian
and was one day talking about her experience to a group. She stressed forgiveness, until the solder who pointed
her family to the death line came up to shake her hand after the talk. He did not recognize her, but she recognized
him. She agonized about shaking his hand because of what he did. Finally, through the power of Christ, she
grabbed it. Immediately a great peace came over her soul!

“How well do you do the hard thing - love, pray for and “do good” to your enemies?”

    These examples taught me, but since I am not in the national lime light nor was I in a concentration camp I
couldn’t closely relate. I did relate to the next example though! A close Christian sister recently was offended
deeply by a friend of hers. I saw the hurt and tears myself. However, she decided to give it all over to the Lord.
Later that week her friend asked for a big favor from the person she just hurt. I saw my Christian sister do
something that moved me and I wasn’t sure I could do. She said “yes” – without hesitation, without malice –
with only love. Nothing was said about the incident between the two, but the friend who offended was changed
because of unconditional love in response to her destructive actions. Hard? Yes! Eternal? Yes!

Here are three simple questions for to answer and keep in front of you this week:
1) Who are some of the people you have been at odds with for any reason?
2) If they came to ask you a favor, would you respond in love?
3) What can you do to pray for, love or even help them today?

Prayer: "Lord Jesus, it is hard, very hard to love those who have hurt me. Please help me in this. My mind
wants me to get back or get even, but you want me to love and do good to them. I see what you did on the
cross for me when I was a sinner. Please help me love in that way. Amen”

Scripture: Luke 6:35

God Bless, Pastor and Coach Brian Williams © Brian Williams, 2009
See other Weekly’s at www.theweeklythought.com

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The Following was borrowed from:

'Sportsman Devotional'

< http://www.sportsmensdevotional.com/ >

Bible Study Verse
Malachi 3:12
"And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land," says the LORD of hosts. (NKJV)

Thoughts
I'm writing this devotion 2,409 days removed from September 11, 2001, the day that the United States of America was attacked by 19 foreign terrorists. Two-thousand, nine-hundred ninety-eight people were killed, and not only Americans. Over 80 different countries mourned their own nationals who were among the casualties. It was a tragic day in world history.

The United States of America stands tall as the land of the free and the home of the brave. We stared tragedy in the face and solemnly reacted when war was declared on us. For the safety of all Americans and in defense of freedom, we transferred that war from our turf to the sands from which it emerged. Now, brave men and women wage the battle there. My brother is currently among them, as are others I personally know. We've yet to be attacked again in the homeland. God bless our warriors and keep them safe.

Throughout our nation's history, we have won freedom for millions, both here and abroad. We stand in the line of fire against tyranny. We sacrifice uncountable numbers of our own for liberty and justice around the world. We embrace and lift up impoverished nations. We establish democracy where no one dares think it possible. We are truly a blessed nation, a delightful land. Our enemies know this. Too many nations loathe it. But some do, indeed, recognize it and gladly call us friend. (DAH)

Action Point
These words in Malachi are a promise God gives to those who fully trust in Him. It's actually part of a series of promises God makes. In Malachi 3:10, He challenges people to bring all the tithes into the storehouse and to try Him in this--if He will not pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. May we as a nation keep God truly the One in whom we trust.

Sportsmen's Tip of the Day
Keep copies of The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and The Bill of Rights near your reading area or with your Bible. Read them often. Christians should be on the front line of knowing the contents of these precious documents.