Wednesday, June 16, 2010

More thoughts...

I wrote a letter to a friend to encourage her yesterday. She's coming up on a stressful week and I wanted to help out in some way. Of course, by writing this letter, it's been making me think a lot on the relationships I have in my life. I have begun to realize that although I'm the one who feels I've been wronged by certain people, I have wronged them, too. I have not been loving or even nice to them. I've been so busy focusing on how they are mean or unloving towards me or my kids, that I've lost sight of God in that relationship.
Here is a part of the letter I wrote to my friend that has been convicting ME!

We, as Christians, are to love God and others at all times, under all circumstances (Matthew 22:37-39 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind… Love your neighbor as yourself). We are called to love those who are hardest to love (Matthew 5:44-48 But I {Jesus} tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.).


We have to show kindness, patience, and longsuffering while bearing with them (Matthew 5:13- 16 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lamp stand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.). There are no qualifications for the ungodly. They behave their own way because they are in the darkness. We are to show the Light. They will hate us for it, but (Ephesians 6:12-13) our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.

Here are some verses I found to focus on and meditate upon when faced with a particularly stressful situation or relationship. I hope they are sources of reassurance and comfort for you, too!

Ephesians 6:18 With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and stay alert in this, with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

James 1:19-20 Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

I Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful for all things for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Philippians 2:4 Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

I Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with temptation, He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.

Philippians 2:13-15 For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to will and to act for His good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world

Philippians 4:8 Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable- if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise- dwell on these things.

On a lighter note, I am going to a family reunion this weekend and am SO looking forward to it! I can't wait to see a few people in particular, but, on a whole, it will be fun to see everyone. My mom has asked me to be the 'official picture taker'. I think it's because I have an awesome camera ...  :0) The bad thing is, I would rather visit and talk than take pictures! LOL! I'll have to designate the chubby hubby the picture taker... he's more the strong silent type, so he won't be tempted to talk instead of take pictures!
 
Til Next time! Amy

2 comments:

  1. Thanks for this post! It is great to see all of the verses pointing out what I have been struggling with. I look forward to seeing you and the family this weekend! It has been far too long.

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  2. Ephesians 4:32 is another good one. It's hard to live by God's standards, but well worth the rewards and blessings.

    "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 4:32 -5:2)

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