LOVE your enemies

Matthew 5: 43-44 "You have heard it said before 'love your neighbor and hate your enemy'. But I tell you: 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you"

Wow those words have been resounding in my head since sunday afternoon. I feel like God is constantly reminding me that I need to LOVE more, and not only LOVE the people I get along with but even those that I have so much trouble getting along with.

Most know, i am actually a VERY easy going person and get along with many people. But I like to build relationships, i do not just want small aquaintences, but lifelong friendships. I know who I am in Christ, and I went to a 4 year Christian Unviersity. I have been around Christians consistantly for over 10 years. This time of my life is a real test of how much my relationship with Christ has grown.

I am around people DAILY who may not be Christians, I am not here to judge that is not my job. I am supposed to be who I am and lead an example of the life that Christ allows me to live. Yet, I sometimes feel I'm on my own out there.

Galations 1:10 states "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of God"

Why do I care so much if my co-workers like me or people that I am with daily? If I am living and doing the things of God, then I know He will provide people in my life that will accept me for me. But then there are the situations that arise, and I am NOT an angry person, but a part of me WANTS to be angry. And right when I wanna lash out and speak my mind... God whispers to me the simple statement "Love your enemies" and over different situations the past two days, he reminds me of this commandment. I had every opportunity to respond with some harsh words of anger, yet before i could get them off my fingers into the phone, God just spoke my name softly... kinda like my dad would when he knew not very nice words were about to come out of my mouth lol. So i swallowed my proud, and responded with kindness. I cannot allow the Devil to win. I will remain joyous in Christ.

I am not here on earth to please man. I am here to do God's purpose for my life. I am also not hear to judge. I will live my life accordingly, and believe that God has everything undercontrol.

God still has ALOT of work to do with me. Especially on my heart. And I know in due time it will be just fine, but until then and even after then, I am ALL HIS. I will be fully CONSUMED by Him and his word. No man will be able to lead me astray from anything He has in store for me.

I look forward to this breakthrough! I know that God will come through for me, and I will choose to live in expectancy! My God will provide for me. I wanna shine for Him, I wanna be used in this world for His greater Good. It goes back to my last blog, of being more transparent for Him.

:)

BE Transparent.

Tonight at Life Group, Tim discussed about how we tend to hide ourselves from being who we truly are in Christ. We wear masks, and we think because we act the same no matter where we are that we truely are being ourselves when in actuallity we are being someone we are not.

How will we grow if do not allow people to see our flaws??

Here are some of the things mentioned:

Roadblocks to being real? Fear is the main issue

4 main reasons why many do NOT wanna be transparent....

1. Hidden weakness: Fear of exposure

2 Corinthians 4:2 (the message) "We refuse to wear masks and play games...rather we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see..

1 John 1:7-8 "But if we walk in the light, and He is in the light than we have fellowship with one another.. if we claim to be without sin we decieve ourselves and the truth is not within us"

We need to feel as though we need to hide our flaws, yet let them be known! you never know the kind of testimony you have and the effect that it will have on others if you are not sharing it! People need to see that you have been through what they are going through!

2. Desire for approval: Fear of Rejection

Proverbs 29:25 "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trust in the Lord will be kept safe.."

3. Past hurts: Fear of being hurt again

James 5:17 "Therefore confess your sins to eachother and pray for eachother that you may be healed.."

He then discussed reasons to be transparent, how we can affect the lives of others. We are part of the body of the church, we need to be able to grow ourselves. We as part of church are to support eachother, and protect eachother. We also have to know that we cannot do things on our own, and God places people in our lives to be able to share our struggles with, People who will stand with us in our faith to help us overcome.

You never know if the newer people in your church just need to see that you are just like them. People come into church and they see, happy-go-lucky people and get the impression that these people would never understand their problems, when the truth is we are dealing with the SAME ones.

Allow yourself to open up a little more, try not to play everything SAFE. Show the love of Christ in your life daily, by sharing those victories that He has done over past struggles, or things He is working on in our lives NOW.

John 15: 12-13 "My command is this, love eachother as I have loved you, Greater love has NO one than this, that He lay down His life for His friends"

Lets love one another as Christ loved us, embrace everyone with the Spirit of love. As we share our struggles, lets not allow ourselves to judge prematurely, yet listen and discern the Spirit of God as He guides us in helping eachother out.

I pray Lord that I can be MORE transparent and allow myself to continue to grow in you.

I pray that anyone who reads this will be able to be more transparent, give them the confidence and trust in you that you are putting the right people in their paths, to help them with whatever struggles they may need. Thank you.

Resurrection

As this weekend approaches, I ponder the events that took place over 2000 years ago. I cannot fathom being present at such a time.

I mean can you picture an innocent man, sacrificing his life for your sins? I picture it as someone jumping in front me and taking a bullet for me, even though I have every right to be shot. it's unreal. I cannot honestly say i could take a bullet for anyone.

It's unreal the kind of love that is portrayed, there is NO greater love.

God sent His son here for you and me, for our sins and raised Him from the dead! Unfortunately in the World today alot of people see easter as bunnies and eggs, but do NOT forget the REAL reason for the celebration. His resurrection is the ONLY reason I am where I am today.

THANK YOU JESUS. I LOVE YOU.

JOHN 3:16