This is from our ministry newsletter I sent out Tuesday, I had so many responses that said it ministered to them personally that I thought I would share it here also, it also fits in with Robin’s new meme, Fruit Of The Spirit Friday, be blessed, Penny
Blessing your enemies
Do you know what it means to truly bless your enemies?
Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
“Bless them that curse you”, hmm, seems simple enough. Just don’t curse back, right? No not right, not good enough. We have friends, acquaintances, family members, just like many of you have, at one point they met the Lord, maybe walked with Him for a season, maybe even heard his voice. But they wouldn’t lay down their own will, and so they are no longer walking with Him. They want the benefits of His Kingdom, but since they can’t have them, they don’t want anyone else to have them either. They have a place in your heart so their words count for something. When they speak bad things against you, out of jealousy or envy or just plain maliciousness it takes root and actually becomes a curse over your life. Happens all the time.
Well some time ago, we knew that because things didn’t work out the way someone thought they would that their words had cursed us. We knew it, we hear God, we see things, we discern things, and the Lord gives us very very detailed dreams. We knew in what area of our lives we had been cursed and we knew why. But not too long ago I was praying desperately and really asking the Lord what was going on. He spoke very clearly and said, “so and so cursed you”. Well, I already knew that but this was writing on the wall. So my next question was, “and what do we do about it?” Can you guess what He said? He said, “bless them, pray for them”. Well I must admit at this point I really had no compassion for this person. Because it wasn’t a one time cursing, it was continual. It was intentional. So, I sent up a token, “uh Lord, bless them with a great job opportunity in Alaska.” He said that wasn’t good enough. So I spent 2 days praying for my heart to be right, I wasn’t full of hate or bitterness, or unforgiveness. But I honestly didn’t care if I ever saw this person again. I just figured he was the Lord’s project and not mine. But no, Jesus made him my project. He said to bless him. So after seeking the Lord’s love and seeing this prodigal as someone the Lord loves, I began to pray for him. Earnest, from the heart, prayer. Asking the Lord’s blessings upon this person.
I wouldn’t even call this person an enemy, but I guess he is, he is not for us but rather against us. That is what it means to bless your enemies, and you can’t do it on your own.
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