Pastor Joel @ Lakewood Church
It doesn't take faith to be kind to those who are kind to us.
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Luke 6:27-28 KJV
We bless others for our own sake. We usually get an immediate opportunity to decide how, we'll treat our enemies. Be big enough to swallow your pride.
God doesn't promote us to pay someone back. One way to bless others is simply to not talk bad about your enemy.
Organization badmouthed Pastor Joel and soon needed Pastor's recommendation. Pastor knew that he could honestly communicate how the organization had treated him but in the end it's a good organization doing good things for society.
You can say things that are true but in the wrong context it's bad.
Compassion organizations operate on people standing on both sides of the line
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.
Proverbs 25:21-22 KJV
When you're humble, you're not excusing their actions.
Joseph was betrayed by his brothers which led to 13 years of misfortune until he was placed 2nd in command. Josepg proved that he could do the right thing even when the wrong thing was happening.
And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.
Genesis 45:14-15 KJV
Can you handle being mistreated and betrayed then put in a position on power over them.
It's one thing to disagree, but it's another thing to throw someone under the bus.
Blessing your enemies shows people who you really are.
David...And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?
2 Samuel 9:1 KJV
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21 KJV
Korean War: Communist, United Nations, Orphanage
It's easy to hold on to hurt but if you live out of a place of forgiveness you'll feel better.
God says, what they owe you, put it on my account. What you do with Onesimus will determine how God deals with you. (Philemon)
Think about the mercy that God shows us. You have to give people the grace to change. People really can't pay you back.
Victoria's Exhortation
For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
Philippians 1:8-9 KJV
We have to adapt our love to our natural changes. The love we give to a baby isn't the same love that we give to adults or even as adults. Find ways to communicate in a better way and get insight into who people are so that you can serve them well.
Our love should not be limited to the love that were receiving because love makes things happen by looking into a situation and giving what the situation needs.
We need to be smart with our love. Love is a feeling that can grow or fizzle out.
The only way that we can love is to allow God's love on the inside.
Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Matthew 22:35-40 KJV
When my love tank is low there is a source that never rubs dry.
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
John 4:13-14 KJV
Let's not let our love depend on what's happening on the outside but what's going on in the inside.
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