Dear Ones,
Hope you are having a good day. We just got home from friends for coffee and sorry this is so late. I got my computer back today but sadly my documents and pictures didn’t make it in the transfer. There is one last chance when I Geek comes from Minot next week. Praying!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
If someone would wonder if we were a Christian, how would they be able to tell? Do we display the marks of one who has been forgiven and set free and now lives a life of love? Like the song goes, “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” This sone was written by a parish priest in Chicago in 1960 for his youth choir as they went out to sing. How appropriate, not only for them but all of us.
Our natural inclinations is not always love but to fight back. Just today I was tested on this as I went to get my new computer. They lost all my documents and pictures when they transferred things from my old computer to my new one. I wore my t-shirt that said GRACE so I would remember to be grace-filled. Paul said in Romans 12:21,” Don’t be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.” The mark of a true Christian is genuine love rather than letting evil overcome us. Recently I was reading on Crosswalk.com about Overcoming Evil with Good, and we would probably all say that is not an easy thing to do. We surely need more than our human love for only God’s love is the powerful weapon that overcomes evil. Too often we may take shortcuts by returning sarcasm to the one who gave us a snide remark. Instead, we can choose God’s way of love. The test may sometimes come on Facebook when destructive remarks are given for all to see. Perhaps no response is best but if we do respond, may it be in love. When we get negative and vindictive, the enemy wins. But when we respond God’s way of love, it is a win-win! We may not see changes in the other person right away, but God’s love is more powerful than our sarcastic words!
We all make choices each day if we are going to express His love, or if our old nature is in charge. Paul goes on to say, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil, hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Rom. 12:9-10. When we go our way the enemy wins but if we go God’s way, we experience His love in deep ways.
Challenge for today: The next time a hurtful remark is given, pause and respond with His love
Blessings on the rest of your day and prayers and love, Judy