The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.
Proverbs 20:27
The Lord’s light. Mmmm… Aren’t you glad and grateful that the Lord doesn’t leave us in the dark and to our own devices? He rescues us from our ways to bring His times of refreshing into our lives.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:43-48
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Proverbs 14:12
Maybe you’re like me. I have a difficult time loving my enemy (real, or perceived) when I’m operating outside of Christ (in my ways), away from His shadow and dwelling place.
When I’m “in Jesus,” I’m safe and things are okay. When I’m “in Mark,” not so much, and I can be caught off guard and react from “my flesh,” react from “my ways.”
Whenever I get caught off guard, whenever sudden fear or hurt or disappointment come up, I try to make a habit of stepping back and listening to the Holy Spirit before responding or reacting. That’s why I memorize scriptures (like the one in Matthew above) that help me overcome negative strongholds that may be at work in my life. God’s Word will turn those negative strongholds into His mighty, overcoming, resting, joy-filled strongholds. I can’t even begin to tell you how thankful I am that He’s replacing my old, harmful strongholds with His ways. I was heading for an awful life without Him.
Matthew 5:48 above says to be perfect just like our Father. Why be perfect? Because doing His Word keeps us safe and in His joy as we incorporate His ways into our everyday life.
30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried (proven by those who do the Word): he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
31 For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God?
32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
Psalm 18:30-32
The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.
Psalm 29:11
God bless,
Mark