LOVE, FORGIVE, REPEAT!

Are there people in your life who rub you the wrong way and you just would rather not be around them? The Bible is pretty clear when it says in John 13:34-35  "A new command I give you that you love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another. By this everyone will know you are my disciples if you love one another."   There may be some pretty mean, cantankerous, and vicious people in your life. Maybe they are bosses, co workers, even so called friends. But not everyone is controlled by the Holy Spirit and sometimes there are those who claim to be Christians but you sure can not tell it by their actions or words. They key with all types of people is to love people with the 'love of Jesus'. When you are hurt by someone you also have to purpose in your heart to let it go and move on. Even if a person who hurt you does not know it, or does, but does not apologize, you have to still choose to forgive and not try to get the last word.


When it comes to forgiveness the Bible says in Matthew 18:21-22 "then Peter came to Jesus and asked "Lord how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered and said "Not seven times but seventy times seven."  In other words if you say you are a Christian, give up your 'right' to get back. Now this does not mean sometimes that you  may possibly need to be confront the individual. Some prayer may be in order. In the meantime regardless of everything else learn to  love and forgive and move on.

 Being hateful and unforgiving is sinful and separates you from the Lord.
1 John 4:20 reminds us "Anyone who says he loves God but hates his brother he is a liar. Anyone who cannot love his brother who he has seen can not love God who he has not seen."

Are you able to love and forgive and keep doing it over and over and over again? That is what God wants and that is what keeps you close to Him. Remember according to Matthew 5:44 it says "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Try it, you might like it and notice a heart change in your life as a result of a changed attitude.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for your word which gives me strength to get through each day. Thank you for your love for me no matter what. Help me to learn to love like you love. Give me strength to love those who are hurting me or hard to love. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link and worship the Lord in song:
http://youtu.be/38EVco7eba0