Old or New?

Love Your Enemies
38-42"Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
43-47 "You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. Matthew 5:42-44 (The Message)

Now that's a level to aspire to.

Lord, help me to love the unlovable. Fill me with more of you and flush out all the unlovable things in my life. Teach me Lord. Teach me. In Jesus' name. AMEN

Happy Birthday!

16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. John 3:16-18 NLT
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Today, July 14, is my spiritual birthday! Twelve years ago today, I found what I had been searching for all my life to fill that whole deep inside me. I found a way to take the edge off sometimes but just could not shake that emptiness. You know that longing you can't seem to fill with any vice as hard as you try. You know the one that seems bigger the day after you tried.

I found the way to fill it. I invited Jesus to fill it. I still get a yearning to seek more of the infilling but it's like having extra helpings of cake and ice cream--a never ending supply. If I want all 39 flavors in multiple helpings that's fine with Him. He is a never ending supply of joy, peace, wisdom, discernment, love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, healing, prosperity, salvation, defense, protection, and on and on for many more than I can fathom. He is the whole filler-He completes me. He is my creator. He is my heavenly Father. The one I run to for whatever I need, want or desire.

I am reminded of a quote from Corrie Ten Boom, "You never know how much you need Jesus until Jesus is all you have." And may I add, "After knowing Jesus, how utterly wretched, meaningless and hopeless my life would be without Him!"

LORD, I thank you for first loving me and sustaining me with your favor and grace until I came to know you and love you with my whole heart. May Your face always shine upon me! In Jesus' name! AMEN!