As I’m writing this, I can hear the rain falling outside my window. Rain, and really water, are so precious to us here where we live. We don’t take water for granted here because it means life and nourishment for us. It is raining all over our area right now. And you know what? It is raining on people who are followers of this Jesus of the Bible and on folks who ignore him or even hate him. It isn’t raining on just specific lots here in my neighborhood…all of us are getting it together. And I bet there might even be some really bad people who are getting this “heavenly blessing” this evening. God could just make sure that folks who don’t want to follow him just get nothing…but he doesn’t. And tomorrow, when the clouds all part, we will all get the same sunlight. The Bible says that they are gifts from God, not only to provide what people need, but to remind us of God’s love for all folks. I got to thinking about that. If we were to be like God…then we would need to love all folks too. A lot of folks today opt to hate people for any number of reasons. But God reminds us to pray for those who choose to be your enemies and to even pray for those who persecute you. When you become a follower of this Jesus of the Bible you are challenged to let those who hurt, harass or even hate you bring out the best in you, not the worst. Don’t get me wrong, there is a right and wrong and God is the one who decides what that is. But for now he brings blessings, that we more often than not consider them what we are owed, to everyone, so that they can be drawn into a loving, transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. God brings his sun to warm and the rain to nourish…to everyone…the good and bad, the nice and the nasty. Anybody can love the loveable. But we are called to live like kingdom of God subjects. God has been gracious and forgiving to you when you were his enemies and Hell was your destination. Live and love toward others the way God has loved and lived towards you who are now his follower. And never forget, you may be the only taste of the living God that they will experience today. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Matthew 5:43-47 NLT “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. (44) But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! (45) In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. (46) If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. (47) If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.
Remember, I’m praying for you today….
PJ
Matthew 5:43-47 NLT “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. (44) But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! (45) In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. (46) If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. (47) If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.
Remember, I’m praying for you today….
PJ