Enemies Threatened- No Match for God’s Love

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? (Matthew 5:44-46a ESV)

Enemies

December 7, 1941 and September 11, 2001 represent America’s pride the best. When Americans came together strong and determined, willing to fight enemies. Hearts are heavy today remembering. Let’s pray for all surviving victims and family members of all victims. Those rising early…greeted by sunshine, unknowingly signed up to represent America’s strength, a threat to terrorist.

Mind’s Capacity

It’s easy to love those we love. What reward do we have in this? Well, I understand the ease into thinking…who needs rewards with escaping an enemy’s wrath. Dealing with difficult people or this level of enemy attack far out reaches our mind’s capacity to consider loving those who despise and destroy dreams of so many. In the beginning, it does not come from our own strength. It’s only strength coming from within supplied directly from The Holy Spirit, our helper.

Obedience

The summer of 2001, I wrote my first letter to our local newspaper. Something to the tune of God’s people coming together unified. I remember this as my first step in obedience. Finishing the letter, lights out…I noted the dishwasher would be done momentarily. My husband awakened to several inches of hot water covering our kitchen, extending into living and dining rooms. A hot water line in our dishwasher burst- must have ran for several hours. I would say…the enemy did not like my obedience. For the remainder of this summer and into the fall, we basically lived out of two bedrooms.

Awareness

While folding towels, watching events unfold, I stood there emotionless- not in disbelief, yet fully aware of an underlying enemy- enemies at work. As God allows sun to shine and rain to fall on the just and unjust- He desires us to pray for those that persecute us and love them.

Strength

By doing this, He knows it can only happen as we receive His strength working through us. His strength is available as we seek Him. He is willing to empower us to go beyond all He accomplished here on earth. In order to do this..we rise above enemy attacks and great will be our reward in Heaven. As we move forward, just maybe…through prayer and love, enemies will turn into children of God.

Be encouraged!