A Prayer For Our Enemies

Dear Heavenly Father:

I thank you for giving me the strength to be able to pray for my enemies.

I know that this strength comes through you placing your love in my heart.

Your love covers a multitude of sins.

Your love is the avenue for me to love the unlovable in others.

Have mercy on those who use me with hatred, Dear God.

Forgive those who practice malice towards me.

Forgive them, Father, for the sake of your Dear Son's sacrifice on the Cross at Calvary.

I have forgiven them and will continue to forgive them in Jesus's name.

Send your Holy Spirit to bear upon them so that they can learn the truth about what Your Christ has done for them.

Save their souls.

For my enemies who are saved, give them a deeper commitment to Christ Jesus.

Give them a new commitment to seek your face, Father, and to obey you in all things.

In the name of Your Lamb and The Only Savior of Mankind, I pray.

Amen.

Matthew 5:44

Luke 6:27-36

Ephesians 4:32

Smiling Through Difficult Times

Remembering our knowledge of God and His Word will help us to smile in the most distressing of circumstances. Why? We know that there is nothing that can separate us from God's love. (Romans 8:38) He has given us major promises and he will fulfill them. 

We are able to smile when we are distressed, sorrowful, depressed or discouraged. If not smile, at least feel hopeful. (Romans 15:13) We can proclaim, Thank you Lord for joy unspeakable and the peace that surpasses all understanding. We know that the joy of the Lord is our strength, and He keeps us in perfect peace because we choose to keep our minds on Him. 

I feel better immediately when I remember what I already know about the goodness of God. What about the times when I just don't feel like remembering and quoting those truths? That's another story but one that is also filled with Kingdom of God success. Christian hope is based on the spiritual facts that we know. No matter what it feels like, looks like, tastes like, sounds like or smells like, nothing is too hard for God. (Jeremiah 32:17) 

In other words, when we choose to walk in our reborn spirits instead of in the flesh, we can experience hope again. This is the choice that we make over and over, until Jesus comes back. We can break out into a smile and have hope in difficult times, despite challenges.

Guiding with Grace: How to Offer Compassionate Christian Advice

We all do it, judge others by comparing their lives to ours. We don't mean to judge but through our comments it can sound like we are. The comments we make are often because we think that we have the answers for others' issues.

We are on the outside of their lives looking in. It can give us a more pure perspective. Still, none of us have the answers to another person's problems, even though we think you should or should have done it like I did. That doesn't mean that it would have worked for him/her.

Sometimes, we are so concerned and so badly want others to do well that we come off as judging when we make suggestions. We forget that we have issues that, should we share them, others would want to give swift answers to also. We would then understand how some of our responses sound. 

We don't always listen carefully when others ask for opinions or suggestions. Because of this, we can be guilty of giving the same answers over and over, cliches, standard comments, time-worn suggestions, etc.  People already know the stock answers and are seeking more than that. 

Platitudes are not working for them anymore, if they ever did. They feel judged when they are callously told to do more of what they have been doing, such as believe, accept, hope, adapt. There are, however, two things that will help if suggested, even if they are already doing them.

The only perfect answers to give anyone are to read the Bible more often and study it more deeply. The second suggestion is to pray more candidly to God, to be more honest as never before. Those are answers that will help anyone and everyone. 

If the praying and Bible reading is not helping, then the only perfect answer is between that person and God. God will have to reveal, through His Holy Spirit, what the answer is to their dilemma. We can only give comforting sympathetic or empathetic, unique words of faith. 

While it is motivating and encouraging to us to give advice, we must be careful that we are not discouraging and overwhelming others with ultimatums of performance. Our comments, suggestions and guidance should uplift, inspire and edify through God's grace. Ephesians 4:29

How To Live In Moderation As A Christian

Moderation may mean different things depending on to what we are referring. Some think of modesty in dress, how not to dress in overly-embellished and revealing attire. Others prefer modesty in environment, choosing simplicity in living rather than ostentatious decor. 

There is also modesty in attitude towards life's ups and downs. I am learning to develop modesty in experiencing life's blessings and challenges. The Holy Spirit is leading me to not be overly excited about blessings nor excessively concerned about challenges. I know that His desire for me is to remain on an even keel no matter what each day brings. 

While I can always be thankful for God's blessings that flow, I am not to be so caught up in receiving from Him that I forget that the devil as a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour. I Peter 5:8 I am not to be so excited about any accomplishment that I forget to put on God's whole armor. Ephesians 6:10-17 

When difficulties surface, I can feel concerned but I am not to sink down into the dumps and feel defeated. I am not to forget that all things work together for good to those who love God. Romans 8:28 I am not to be so distressed that I forget that if God is for me, how can anyone succeed against me? Romans 8:31 

Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing but in everything, by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:4-8

The 1st part of that scripture passage can pertain to being peaceful during blessings. The 2nd part can pertain to being peaceful during tribulations. When we let our moderate attitudes and lifestyles be seem by others, and when we do not worry about anything but go to God with all requests, we will live on an even keel. We will be even-tempered and at peace. 

So, whatever moderation means to you, the essence is the same. It is behavior that reflects self-control, high self-esteem, respect for self and others, moderation in all things, peacefulness and self-confidence. It is a holiness that is not contrived by our flesh to repel others. It is a holiness and righteousness that is a shining reflection of our transforming relationship with a loving God.

Did Abraham Laugh At God?

I give Brother Prince credit as the only teacher I've ever heard (through years and years of listening regularly to many) who shared that Abraham also laughed. Other teachers only share that Sarah laughed. Abraham laughed at first and even in God's face. The Bible tells us that he fell onto the ground laughing, and God said to him, You will TOO have a child. Read it for yourself. Genesis 17:17

Read something else in the Bible other than your fav scriptures everyday. You don't grow in Christ through reading the same scriptures. Read the entire bible so that you can be transformed and strengthened. The Holy Spirit that lives in you will help you to rightly divide the Word of Truth and discern all of the scriptures, if you indeed know that you love God and are called according to his purposes.

While some like to push it forward that Sarah laughed while omitting that Abraham did also, I think it is worse that Abraham fell on the ground laughing, while he was communing with God. I've waited for so long to hear a minister give Abraham his due detraction for laughing at the promise of God. Brother Prince is not afraid to tell the truth. God bless him and his entire family and ministry more and more!

Hope That Makes No Sense (But Works) | Joseph Prince Ministries