RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL ;
19TH JANUARY , 2019 ; PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME ;
NEVER LOSE YOUR COOL ;
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you (Luke 6:28).
Never find yourself offended or losing your cool over the attitude of others towards you. It makes no difference if they mistreat you or take undue advantage of you; maintain the right attitude of love. Someone else’s bad attitude should never change your good behaviour. If anyone has a bad attitude, that’s their problem, but your responsibility is to walk in love towards all.
Some people make “new year resolutions,” part of which is a list of people whom they claim offended them, perhaps, in the previous year, and have decided never to talk to them or relate with them anymore. This is wrong. There shouldn’t ever be people or someone you don’t like or decide never to talk to, irrespective of what they may have done to you. The Word tells us to seek peace and pursue it (1 Peter 3:11).
God never promised that we’ll be well treated by everybody. You may not be treated right; you may not be treated the way you want or think you deserve to be treated; that’s not what’s important! What’s important is your response in whatever circumstances you find yourself; that’s where the blessing really is. If you respond negatively, because someone treated you badly, you’ll get in trouble with the Lord.
Read the Master’s statement in our opening verse; He said, “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you” (Luke 6:28). Emulate Jesus. He wasn’t vengeful at the wicked men who crucified Him, though the pain was real, and He felt it. They spat at Him. He asked for water, they gave Him vinegar to drink. Think about how they mistreated Jesus; yet, He said, “…Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do…” (Luke 23:34). Keep walking in love. Let that be something you’ve decided to do this year more than ever before.
Always remember that, irrespective of how you’re treated, you can never be disadvantaged. Romans 8:28 says, “… all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” If you’d live and act according to the Word, you’ll continually walk in blessings, and nothing would truncate your joy or dissipate your faith and progress in the Lord.
CONFESSION
I walk in love towards all. I express love and goodwill towards all, thus invoking the blessings of peace and salvation upon them, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Ephesians 5:2; Luke 6:28-35
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Matthew 13:24-43 & Genesis 44-45
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Matthew 7:21-29 & Genesis 19