12/24/2024
"But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village..." (Luke 9:55-56).
Certain unpleasant situations in our lives linger longer than they should, not because God ordained it to be that way but because of issues of the heart. On a few occasions, I have had to turn to a book's cover to ensure that I was still reading a "Christian book" because of how the writer wrote of those who were against them. I think it's alarming how many Christians talk about those that mistreated them. It reveals a profound illness of the heart. Why invest your time into discussing your so-called haters or enemy when you should be doing something to enhance the quality of your life? Some have gone to the extent of praying mischief on those that wronged them. And it's simply terrible! How can a child of God pray or desire calamity on another person and still say they are a Christian? The Bible says, "Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him" (1 John 3:15). Notice that the Bible says nothing here about the wrong they did. In other words, anyone hoping that their unrighteousness would be excused because of how they were wronged is mistaken.
Learn from Apostle Paul. When those who were supposed to be partners of his ministry deserted him when he needed them the most, he said, "At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them" (2 Timothy 4:16). He could have hurled curses of how it would not go well with them in life, but he didn't. I Peter 3:9 says, "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." In other words, rise above bitterness, betrayal, and disappointments. Romans 12:14 says, "Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse." Interestingly, the Greek word for persecute also means to harass, trouble, or maltreat. And the Scripture says that we should bless and not curse those that may have been responsible for the unpleasant circumstances in our lives.
I don't believe that there's anyone that has suffered humiliation and rejection to the extent that Jesus suffered. The level of prejudice and bigotry that He experienced was profound. To the extent that James and John had to say, "...Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" Carnal-minded people would have rained fire on them, but not my Jesus, hallelujah! I love Jesus! The Bible says, "He turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village" (Luke 9:55-56). I believe the Lord is still saying to us today: "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of." Because of the way we deal with people who reject or disagree with us
We must remind ourselves of Jesus' words in John 15:18 when He said, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first." In other words, I am the reason why they hate you. So rejoice! Praise God! So when you are hated, rejected, mistreated, tolerated, or humiliated, don't get combative or bitter. Instead, respond with mercy, grace, and love knowing that you are just like Jesus. Today, I admonish you to deal wisely with hostile people. Avoid them if and when you can, but don't be confrontational. Not because you can not, but because you understand the manner of spirit you are of—grace.
Glory to God
Faith-filled Confession:
I have the character of the Spirit. I function by love and I extend grace to everyone that crosses my path. I harbor no hate or anger towards anyone. I forgive others even as I have been forgiven. I speak wholesome words. I let my words minister grace to those that hear me. Today is a day of love, joy, and peace for me. In Jesus' name. Amen
Prayer Direction
Number 23:23
No curse can be placed on Jacob,
And no magic shall be done against him.
For now it shall be said of Israel,
‘What wonders God has done for them!’
1. Declare that your family is an emblem of wonders by the Holy Ghost
2. Declare every calamity against you and your household is nullified in Jesus name.
3. Pray and declare that every member of your household entered 2025 with victory song on their lips.
4. Pray for those that are sick in their body and afflicted in their mind or emotions in your sphere of influence; that they will be delivered from their affliction before the new year in Jesus name
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