Good morning! Today is Tuesday, it’s the perfect day to love others. It’s the perfect day to be kind. And even a good day to pray for those who may have or continue to persecute you. The situation may not change immediately, but the Lord can change our heart toward a person and help us to see things His way. These verses are relevant for me today… Enjoy today’s verses and your day.

BIBLE VERSE – Matthew 5:43-48 NLT
“⁴³ “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ [Leviticus 19:18] and hate your enemy. ⁴⁴ But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! ⁴⁵ In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. ⁴⁶ If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. ⁴⁷ If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. ⁴⁸ But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

REFLECTION
In the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:18 reads, “¹⁸ “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”

Jesus pointed this out because the Pharisees taught to love those who love Israel and hate those who were enemies to Israel. In the verses we read in Matthew 5, Jesus once again clarified God’s word and challenged the people of Israel and all God’s children to demonstrate His love to all people – even our enemies. 

While you ponder over the verses, who do you need to pray for today? ________

And while we are not perfect, God is calling us to be more like Him. Allow God to perfect you in all your ways, especially when we pray for our enemies.

PRAYER
Father God, thank you for your Words that teach us.  Lord God, thank you for guiding us through the things that are important to you. Lord, direct our thoughts and keep our hearts soft so that we can be used by you. Lord, keep pressing into our heart, removing all bitterness and pain from it. Lord, teach us to love like you love. Open up our hearts to be more receptive to you and your instructions. Lord, help us to pray for those who desire to harm us or maliciously try to destroy us with words, fear, actions, etc. Lord, help us to pray for everyone not just those we love. Lord, help us to love like you. In Jesus name, amen!

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