March 14, 2025
This Week’s Theme Verse
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to Him
and He will make your paths straight.”
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Matthew 5:43-48
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and
hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his
sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the
unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not
even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what
are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect,
therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Loving people who are kind to us is easy, but loving those who hurt or frustrate us feels impossible. Yesterday and today in our verses we see that Jesus calls us to a higher love, a love that doesn’t depend on how others treat us. (PAUSE and let that sink in) Jesus calls us to a higher love, a love that doesn’t depend on how others treat us.
Jesus commands us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. This radical love reflects God’s love to us. God calls us to extend this love because unconditional love transforms situations. You see, when we extend the love that God has shown us to others it can be a gateway for people to open the door of their hearts just a crack to God’s love, the love that is always pursuing them. Running after them even.
Today, give thanks to God for the unconditional love that you have received.
Ask God for the grace and strength to show his love in a situation where it has been difficult recently?
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