Day 11 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 8:6-9:7, Psalm 10, Matthew 5:43-6:15)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5;43-44)
What Jesus is telling us to do with our enemies goes completely against how most of us react to such people. We want to get even. We want to pay them back. As for turning the other cheek, how could He actually be serious? We see how serious He is when we remember all that He took on our behalf as He suffered and died for us. In fact, it is at the cross that we find both the example and the power to forgive our enemies. The One who said: “Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing,” has forgiven us too! Yes, just as Jesus loves His enemies, we now get to love our enemies.
“We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19 ESV)
Lord teach us how to proclaim,
All Your goodness, Your love and Your name!
Lord teach us how to forgive,
and in love, teach us Lord, how to live. Amen.
[Words by Terry Dittmer, copyright 1983]
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me in spite of my sin. Please help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
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