Repaying Evil with Evil

"You're the one in the right, not me," he continued. "You've heaped good on me; I've dumped evil on you.. 1 Samuel 24:17 (The Message Bible)

I have been married for over 20 years. In that time my husband and I have “disagreed”. I’ve prayed to God to do something about “that man you gave me”. For him to see things my way and behave the way I want him too. Sure enough the Lord helps me in my situation but not in the way I would have done it. I thought, “Smite him God!”  But the Lord’s advice to me was for me to change my attitude. “What!? Me? But don’t you see how he is behaving? I’m not the one that needs to change, he needs to change.” I would argue with God. And if any of you has ever argued with God you know how futile that can be. God asks me to be kind, patient, and forgiving.  Can you believe at one point God even asked me to answer my husband with “Yes dear” each time he spoke to me, even when I was mad at him? Everyone say, “Nooooooo”.  Yet, I reluctantly obeyed and the blessing that came from it could only have come from God. I also learned a quick lesson. What is fair is not always right. Yes I “may” have been in the right but that is not the point, I still needed to do good.

Many persons in the Bible were right and more righteous than I but yet they were good, obedient, and submissive. David did absolutely nothing to King Saul yet King Saul continually pursued David to kill him. David had a few occasions when he could have killed Saul and stopped running from him yet he did not.  David left either revenge or redemption up to God. Eventually, God established David as King in place of Saul. If you are doing good and your enemy will not stop whatever evil against you, you are to continue doing well in the eyes of God. Submit yourself to the will of God and not to your own feelings. They will only get you in trouble and make evil triumph. Romans 12:21 says, “Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good”. This goes for your bosses, parents, spouses, coworkers, friends, everyone.  

There are many examples in the Bible of those who submitted to God’s will rather than there own even when they were being mistreated, such as David, Joseph, Daniel, and especially Jesus. They were wronged and yet continued to do good and God established them and made them great. 1 Peter 3:9 says, “Do not repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.”  The choice is yours you can either wallow in your feelings and plot your own revenge and reap the consequences or obey God and reap the blessings.  Submit to God’s will today Shunammite Woman. 

Scripture Reading: http://www.biblestudytools.com/msg/1-samuel/24.html

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Today's Encouragement

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Today, September 11, was a day of encouraging posts on Facebook. We simply remembered all that were lost in the 9/11 tragedy.  It was a day of encouraging messages of honor. We were mourning with those who mourned, rejoicing with the survivors, honoring all who give and have given their lives for our freedom.

The Bible says, how good is a timely word (Proverbs 15:23).  Consider what would your last post on Facebook be, what would be the last word you said to your loved ones? Would they be words of encouragement or defeat? Yes there will be days where we are frustrated and angry but we must still consider what we want to leave behind. We should find ways to encourage and lift up one another.

Today, in honor of 9/11, tell your loved ones how much you love them and have patience and forgiveness for those who may have hurt you. May the Lord teach us to number our days (Psalm 90:12) and live each day in love as if today could be our last.

Never forget 9/11 and remember to pray for the families of the victims, for all effected by this act of terror and for our nation.

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians+5&version=NLT

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IT'S JUST NOT FAIR

The other day I was having a conversation with my daughter on a particularly difficult day for her. Many things that she had hoped would work out were not coming together and she was getting frustrated. She asked me why when she is doing what is right why things were not working out for her and those that are doing wrong everything seems to always work out for them. We know things don’t always go well for those doing wrong but there are times when, in our life, that it sure feels that way. I reminded her to be grateful for the good that God has given her. That compared to many throughout the world she would be considered blessed and many would love to trade places with her.  

I told her to persevere and that God admonishes us to not get weary in doing what is good (Galatians 6:9). And yes at times it seems easier to cheat, or lie or simply give up or give in to the pressures of life but whatever seed put out there shall reap a harvest. What harvest do we want to produce? Although, life may be difficult now and things are not going your way God has promised to care for you and help you through the difficult times (Isaiah 43:2).   

How can we carry on? By believing that God has a plan and a purpose for all that you are going through. Continue to do what is good and know that evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last (Proverbs 11:18).

Bible Reading:Galatians 6 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+6&version=NIV

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The God Who Sees Me

The ONE who sees me

She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me." Genesis 16:13

In the dessert alone Hagar was running away from her problems; some that she caused on her own and some that were put upon her. She was asked by Sarah to bare a child for Abraham and Hagar did so obediently. But once she became pregnant with Abrahams child Hagar began acting arrogant and defiant towards Sarah. This drew Sarah’s wrath upon Hagar and Hagar ran away.

There are times when we might feel that our problems are overwhelming and that there is no way out. We may feel like running away, or withdrawing and may not want to face up to the situation.  We may even feel ashamed or fearful to go to God because through our own action that is the reason it happened in the first place. But God is the one who see us (Gen 16:13) and He knows what we have done and nothing is hidden from Him (Hebrews 4:13) yet He loves us anyhow (Romans 8:39). Hagar was told by the angel to go back and be obedient to Sarah, in other words, fix the problem by doing the right thing. God also gave her the promise of a son. She knew then that the LORD saw her and cared for her. He sees us too and truly cares for us. He is there to assist us in all our trials whether we had them happen to us or if we caused them ourselves.  God also has a blessing for us once we face our fear in faith a go through our trail or challenge. Through it all God is there for us and is helping us, call on Him, He sees you and is watching over you.

Shunammite Woman, trust in the God that sees you. He is there for you no matter what. He will always love and care you and knows you so well.

Today’s Scripture Reading: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+16%3A7-16&version=NIV

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