• Week Four
• Day Five
• Please pray for understanding and wisdom from the Lord

Scriptures

Matthew 5:43-48
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Luke 6:27-38
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Devotional

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

We could define enemies as those on earth who hurt us, betray our trust, abuse us, mistreat us, act unfairly, or judge unrightly. Let me ask you, who are the most difficult people in your life? Who has hurt you deeply? Is there someone who is against you? Think of these people. Now, would you pray for each one of them? Begin by confessing any lingering hurt, resentment, or bitterness.

The parallel passage in the gospel of Luke, referred to as the Sermon on the Plain, is very similar to the Sermon on the Mount. What is the word that the Lord wants you to take to heart today?

Do you love those who sin against you? Do you love Christians who say they are Christians and don’t love or live like Jesus? How often do you venture out of your world to love those who are really different?

Considering His love and mercy towards us, do you think you can trade your anger for love? Pray that God would help you to love those who don’t deserve it. (In our eyes…) Because that is what the Lord did for you.

Think carefully again about what Jesus tells us in today’s Matthew five passage.

What do you think He means? God desires for us to come to Him, praying and confessing that we aren’t able to be perfect, and ask Him to show us how He can be our “perfectness” or righteousness. Lets do that now.

Now spend some time in prayer. Praise God and thank Him for the grace we have been given in Christ. Praise Him that He has given you all that you need to live like Him. He has given you Himself! (How truly wonderful is this!!) Remember He is your strength! He knows that you are’t able, but He is. What area of your heart needs the most attention right now? What adjustments do you need to make?

My Own Thoughts

As I have said before this study has really made me reflect on myself a lot. I have learned so much about myself it is unbelievable and it causes me to take a step back. I have found out something about myself as I have been sharing this study with all of you. I can’t write it out and share it if I have not gone to the Lord and address the issues that need fixed. Week four has been a testing one. Satan had me almost convinced I never was a child of the Almighty… not really a true daughter. The spiritual battles were real which is why I disappeared for so long. I want to give glory to God right now for His mercy and grace. For the Lord has opened my ears, eyes and has taken away the spirit of discouragement that has plagued me.

Well brothers and sisters, I can’t say enough how happy I am that you have joined me for this study and have picked it back up with me! It truly does bring my heart joy to see all of you daily. I feel the Spirit connecting us and I pray He fills you with all the fullness of Himself! Paul prayed this for those that he wrote too and I will pray it for all of you. Until next time beloved, stay peculiar!