Loved Enemies

The definition my Strong's Bible dictionary gives for enemy is "adversary," a person who opposes or fights against another. This defines not only those whom we dislike, but sometimes it also defines those we love, such as our spouse. So, what are we to do with our enemy? Love them; bless them. The Bible is teaching me that if my husband has become my enemy through something he has said or done against me, then I am to turn around and bless him. Make his favorite meal. Give him a back rub. Pray for him. Think of the things that will most show love to him, and do it. This is the way of Christ.

Time Flies

"Time goes by so fast." So we say repeatedly, especially as we watch children grow and change daily. The Bible affirms this truth, and it brings me constantly back to the choices we make each moment to waste our lives or use them for God's glory. Watch television/call a hurting friend. Shop/make a meal for someone who's ill. Surf the web/mentor a child in the inner city. Play a video game/rake the yard of a widow. Go out to eat/invite a neighbor over to dinner. Buy a new toy/give away money to a single mom. Be entertained/study the Scriptures. "Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow." (Psalm 144:4) Help me, Lord, to use the time You have given me in a way that shows the world my hope is in You.

Hopeful Responses

Have you ever had someone fall trembling before you asking, "What must I do to be saved?" Paul and Silas did. God can use our hopeful response to suffering to glorify His Name. "After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown in prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them." (Acts 16:23-25) Oh, Lord, prepare my heart that I might consider it joy whenever I face trials of many kinds.

Tongue Tired

I grow tired of my tongue. It seems I keep saying things that I regret, wondering to myself, "Why did I say that?" Too many times, I just don't think before I speak, letting the words just spill out, running and dripping, making a big mess. "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil." (Psalm 141:3-4)

In Common

Sometimes we'll meet someone new, and in the coarse of the conversation, we'll discover we have something in common. Suddenly, the enthusiasm for the conversation picks up a little. Then, maybe we find we have a few or maybe even several more things that we share, and we're starting to think that this could be the beginning of a friendship. After I became a Christian, I found that I share Christ in common with brothers and sisters all over the world, and when I meet a fellow believer, there is an instant bond. "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common." (Acts 4:32)

Bearing Fruit

In two separate passages Ahab, a king of Israel, is described as "sullen and angry." These words seemed to characterize his life. Later, the Scripture records, "There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord....He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols..." (1 Kings 21:25) I pray, Lord, that my life will be characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control and that my heart will be turned toward You.

Open Wide

Our baby daughter loves her formula! If she has a pacifier in her mouth, and she sees her bottle, the pacifier drops to the floor as her mouth springs open. She is eager to let that food fill her hunger. Our precious Lord is waiting to fill our hunger; He can and will meet all our needs easily. "Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it." (Psalm 81:10)