march 29, 2010
I promised myself I'd start my devotionals again. Life got frantic and I was sidetracked... it's a guilt but it's something I can amend. Monday is a good time to start. Here's today's.
And falling on his knees, he cried out loudly, Lord, fix not this sin upon them [lay it not to their charge]! And when he had said this, he fell asleep [in death].
-Acts 7:60
Purposely forgetting about ourselves and our problems and doing something for someone else while we are hurting is one of the most powerful things we can do to overcome evil. When Jesus was on the cross in intense suffering, He took time to comfort the thief next to Him (See Luke 23:39-43). When Stephen was being stoned, he prayed for those stoning him, asking God not to lay the sin to their charge (See Acts 7:59-60).
When Paul and Silas were in prison, they took time to minister to their jailer. Even after God came on the scene with a powerful earthquake that broke their chains and opened the door for them to come out, they remained just for the purpose of ministering to their captor. How tempting it must have been to run away quickly while the opportunity was there, how tempting to take care of themselves and not worry about anyone else. Their act of love moved the man to ask how he might be saved, and he and his entire family were born again (asked Jesus into their hearts) (See Acts 16:25-34).
I believe if we, as the church of Jesus Christ, His body here on earth, will wage war against selfishness and walk in love, the world will begin to take notice. We will not impress the world by being just like them. But how many unsaved friends and relatives might come to know Jesus if we genuinely loved them instead of ignoring, judging, or rejecting them? I believe it is time to find out, don't you?
And falling on his knees, he cried out loudly, Lord, fix not this sin upon them [lay it not to their charge]! And when he had said this, he fell asleep [in death].
-Acts 7:60
Purposely forgetting about ourselves and our problems and doing something for someone else while we are hurting is one of the most powerful things we can do to overcome evil. When Jesus was on the cross in intense suffering, He took time to comfort the thief next to Him (See Luke 23:39-43). When Stephen was being stoned, he prayed for those stoning him, asking God not to lay the sin to their charge (See Acts 7:59-60).
When Paul and Silas were in prison, they took time to minister to their jailer. Even after God came on the scene with a powerful earthquake that broke their chains and opened the door for them to come out, they remained just for the purpose of ministering to their captor. How tempting it must have been to run away quickly while the opportunity was there, how tempting to take care of themselves and not worry about anyone else. Their act of love moved the man to ask how he might be saved, and he and his entire family were born again (asked Jesus into their hearts) (See Acts 16:25-34).
I believe if we, as the church of Jesus Christ, His body here on earth, will wage war against selfishness and walk in love, the world will begin to take notice. We will not impress the world by being just like them. But how many unsaved friends and relatives might come to know Jesus if we genuinely loved them instead of ignoring, judging, or rejecting them? I believe it is time to find out, don't you?