āWhen you live a life of abandoned love, surrendered before awe of God, hereās what youāll experience : Abundant life. Continual protection. And complete satisfaction!ā Prov 19:23TPT
Once upon a time, I didnāt want Jesus. I was unhappy, always hurt feelings, and wanting revenge. Then I met Jesus and fell head over heels in love with Him. Still, I wanted to get even with people whoād hurt me in the past.
One day I read Mt. 6:15ESV ābut if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.ā Oh how that hurt my heart, cutting deeply. If youāve been reading these devotionals, youāve likely read about the roads I walked learning to forgive.
Then God led me to another verse: āBy this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one anotherā Jn 13:35NIV. Love them? This scripture had to be limited to just nice people right?Ā
āBut I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!ā Mt 5:44NLT. Thatās a bit much, donāt you think? Jesus must have knowledge which we donāt have. When I love enemies, Iām totally freed from what they didā ANDā I begin reaping benefits: such as our text scripture.
Loving is the only way to live. Forgiving sets us instantly free from the bondage satan wanted us ensnared in. God teaches how to love more and avoid pitfalls! Living the exact opposite of the worldās ways, makes no sense to the human mind. But in the end, loving proves out to be the most successful way.Ā
When we are obedient to love even our enemies, there are side-effects.
āThereās a private place reserved for the lovers of God, where they sit near him and receive the revelation-secrets of his promises.ā Psm 25:14TPT
āYet when holy lovers of God cry out to him with all their hearts, the Lord will hear them and come to rescue them from all their troubles.ā Psm 34::17TPT
āThe faithful lovers of God will inherit the earth and enjoy every promise of Godās care, dwelling in peace forever.ā Psm 37:29TPT
āThe godly will celebrate in the triumph of good over evil. And the lovers of God will trample the wickedness of the wicked under their feet!ā Psm 58:10TPT
āListen, you lovers of God! Hate evil, for God can keep you from wrong and protect you from the power of wickedness.ā Psm 97:10TPT
āTheir descendants will be prosperous and influential. Every generation of his godly lovers will experience his favor.ā Psm 112:2TPT
If these promised benefits havenāt lit your fire, then your wood is sopping wet.Ā
God wants to fulfill every promised side-effect. Yes, āIn this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials, so that the authenticity of your faithāmore precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fireāmay result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.ā 1Pet 1:6-7BSB Stuff that hurts happens. Yet, God is on the other side of trials with benefits for us after being purified with fire.
Jesus informed us, troubleās coming, Jn 16:33, but finished even verse 33 with a promiseā āā¦But take heart! I have overcome the world.ā Those eight words bridge life back to the side-effects weāve been promised and He will fulfill. All thatās required for us to receive is to believe. Will you believe and receive? Itās your choice. You choose.
PRAYER: Almighty God, thank You for Your promises. Thank You for being faithful and true to Your Word. Be glorified in all these things. We desire Your side-effects in our lives, in Jesusā name I pray.
by Debbie Veilleux
Copyright 2018 You have my permission to reblog this devotional for others. Please keep my name with this devotional as author. Thank you.