Family Reunion: Heaven, Our Eternal Home

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/39nwyt

Many families have periodic reunions. Some occur during the holidays or during a time convenient to most members. Sometimes all are present. Oftentimes some are missing.

Reunions also occur for school classes, military units and other groups of people. In most cases a time of reunion brings happiness and fond memories.

God’s people throughout the ages will one day be gathered together to spend eternity with one another. What a great reunion that will be!

I’ve often heard people say, “I wouldn’t miss that for the world.” They might have been speaking of a ballgame, a graduation or some other event of interest. But I wonder how much would we think of heaven in that way.

Friend, are you ready to go to heaven right now? Chances are pretty good that most of you have some doubts about your eternal outcome. Some may be thinking about looking into it sometime in the future. But you don’t need to wait, friend. The time will be here before you expect it and then where will you go?

There are many reasons why people will miss heaven, although hardly anyone expects to go to hell. Here are just a few reasons why some will miss out on eternal bliss.

Some will miss heaven because they fail to obey God. Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 that those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ will spend eternity in hell.

Some will miss heaven because they neglect the salvation that is offered. Notice what the writer of Hebrews says in 2:1-3.

Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him?

Some will miss heaven because they are indifferent. They simply do not care to become involved and have no preference at this point. Jesus speaks of the Laodicia church in Revelation 3:15-16 as being lukewarm, neither cold nor hot. They were indifferent and they were repulsive to the Lord.

Some will miss heaven because of guilt and ongoing sins. Paul lists the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21. Sadly, some people engage in these and other sins and simply will not let go of them. They will stubbornly hang on to their short-lived sins and spend an eternity away from God.

Finally, some will miss heaven due to failure to do what should be done. In Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus speaks of some who were given certain amounts of money based on their ability to handle the money. In this parable of the talents Jesus tells of one man who buried his money instead of using it for his master. That man was punished, not for having lost the money, but for failing to do what he should have done.

Yes, friends, many people will end up missing heaven for these and other reasons. And that should trouble each and every one of us.

But isn’t it a grand thought to think that you and I have control over where we spend eternity. Friend, there are some who think they are too bad for God to save, but God thinks otherwise! If you are still breathing, friend, there is still time. Make your plans to attend that grand reunion of all the saved of the earth. Obey that gospel of Jesus Christ, put Him on and let God wash your sins away with His blood.

In heaven there will be no regrets of sins that we failed to commit. But in hell everyone will regret not accepting the offer of salvation that is free and that is offered for all.

On Our Daily Walk today, may we not be able to rest our heads until we have assurance that we are right with God. May we vow to never live another day on earth gambling with our soul’s eternal destiny. May we seek and learn God’s will, obey the gospel and live on earth so as to live eternally with all the saved!

Our thought for the day: “Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people, and they that enter shall find that they are neither unknown nor unexpected.” Bishop Ryal

May God bless you on your daily walk.

This will be my last broadcast of the Our Daily Walk devotionals here in Lewisburg, TN. I want to take a moment to thank the elders at Church Street Church of Christ for securing the radio time for this program. I want to thank our secretary, Talitha Liggett, for her great job of proofreading these manuscripts. I want to thank Justin Morton for doing these devotionals once a quarter and for his friendship and for his faith.

I also want to thank my wife, Carla, for her support and encouragement for my efforts and for sharing my vision of reaching out to more and more people. Finally, I want to thank you, the listeners and the readers of these devotionals. Your feedback, comments and encouragement have meant so much to me during these past few months.

Once again, thank you. May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.

Family Conference: Communication, Resolving Conflicts

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/2ayuyl

For most families, a family conference is not always a pleasant experience. Sometimes a problem needs to be addressed, or a new routine needs to be introduced. But hearing the words, “We need to talk” or “We need to have a family conference,” is not always comforting.

Communication is essential to humans and to our relationships. However there are many barriers to effective communication. A current television ad shows two people talking on cellular phones when one of them is disconnected. When communications are dropped or hindered frustrations and problems soon appear.

Did you know that only about 7% of communication is done with words? That’s right. Only less than on tenth of what we communicate is done with what we say. 55% is communicated when we alter how we use those words, with the vocal tone or pitch. 38% is communicated non-verbally. Communication isn’t just about what is said, but how it is said and what is or isn’t done along with it.

Naturally within a family structure there are bound to be times when communications break down and when a conflict needs to be resolved. Those who grew up in families of multiple children no doubt are well acquainted with sibling struggles and frequent conflicts. In most cases parents are quick to jump in and put an end to the struggle and help resolve the conflict. When they do, the siblings cool down and return to how they should act. But if the parents never step in to help resolve the conflict then that pattern of turmoil may continue and grow for years.

The church is seen in the Bible as a family. Locally, many of our congregations are close and certainly have that “family” atmosphere. Others may seem less like a family if people seem unfriendly or distant. But in either case, they are a family.

Sometimes you may hear a mother or a father correct a child and tell them, “Now remember who you are and act like you know how to act.” Paul has some wonderful words of instruction, correction and encouragement in Romans 12:9-21. In this passage he encourages us to behave like a Christian.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

If he is thirsty, give him a drink;

For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Friends, there will always be some level of conflict and miscommunication in any family environment and the church is no exception. Let’s look to God’s word for His wisdom and follow those instructions for a happy, healthy spiritual life.

On Our Daily Walk today, may we learn to recognize what needs to be communicated and may we do our best to communicate our messages to others. May we live at peace with others as long and so far as it is under our control to do so.

Our thought for the day: “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.” Mark Twain

May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.

Family Roles: Responsibilities Of Leaders And Members

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/3ccmmq

In marital counseling work, both before and after a marriage, I often speak to the couple about family roles. Who is the one responsible for taking out the trash? Who will be the one to make the beds, do the laundry, mow the lawn, or change the oil in the car? Most of these roles fall into our traditional expectations of husbands and wives. However, it is not uncommon to find a wife that loves to do the yard work or a husband that has a particular love for doing the cooking. But one thing is very important—we must understand and agree on family roles.

When husbands and wives disagree on family roles this creates disharmony and eventually strife. Usually this occurs when one or both spouses are not doing some task that the other spouse thinks should be done.

One example years ago was of a man who had expected his wife to pick up his dirty clothes where ever he dropped them. After all, his mother did that for him for 20 years. But his wife would have nothing of it and left his dirty clothes lying around until he finally ran out of clean clothes. She didn’t mind doing the laundry, but did not think it was her job to be a mother to her husband. That situation finally erupted. The couple did not properly communicate role responsibility and that led to problems.

The church is a spiritual family and like the natural family the church also has certain roles that need to be filled. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the head of this family, or body, and that many other roles need to be filled.

Paul outlines the qualifications of elders and deacons in 1 Timothy 3, and again of elders in Titus 1. These roles are very important to the success of the local congregations.

The elders are also referred to as rulers, overseers, bishops and shepherds. They have the responsibility to feed, protect and ultimately give an account for every sheep or member within the local body. Theirs is a very serious role and they must be on guard to not allow lesser issues to command their time and take away from their primary responsibilities. Luke 15 tells of the importance of just one sheep as the shepherd leaves 99 in search for the one missing sheep. Every church has a role to fill by godly shepherds.

The deacons have roles to fill as well. The concept can be illustrated in Acts 6:1-4 where a situation is given where some of the widows were being overlooked or neglected when it came to assistance. The apostles told those who brought the problem to choose seven men of certain qualifications from among their number. Then they would appoint these men to look after the problem with the widows. The apostles needed to give their attention to the ministry of the word and not to the daily physical problems. So they delegated. These men in Acts 6 may have not been deacons, but this passage illustrates the role that others play in helping the body as a whole.

Preachers also have a role to fill in the family of God. Paul expresses some of these duties in 2 Timothy 4:1-5.

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Preachers are human just like the other members. But their tasks in the church are multiple. Notice these tasks from the reading above. Preach the word. That’s content. Be faithful in and out of season. That’s constancy. Convince, rebuke, exhort. That’s balance. Don’t compromise. That’s virtue. Be watchful. That’s being informed. Endure hardship. That’s perseverance. Do the work of an evangelist. That’s preaching and ministry. Finally, fulfill your ministry. That’s leaving nothing undone.

Many other roles also need to be filled in the family of God. Bible class teachers, encouragers, older men and women to teach and instruct younger men and women, people to pray, people to support with money, people to reach out to the neighbors and share the gospel. This list could go on and on.

The question today for you is this. “What role do you fill in the family of God?” If you aren’t sure what your role is then you’d better find out. God wants all of His family to be active in the body of Christ.

On Our Daily Walk today, may we seek to be encouragers today, to uplift someone’s spirit, carry someone’s burden and brighten someone’s day. May we seek to fill any role that we can so the glory of God can be seen through us.

Our thought for the day: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” Paul, Colossians 3:23.

May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.

Family Values: Disciplines, Rules, Authority

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/2s5yja

We hear a lot about family values these days. So much has changed in just a few years. It used to be that family values meant long marriages, children who behaved, a husband and wife in marriage and not two men or two women, and the list could go on and on.

Traditional families with a mom, a dad and several children are being overtaken by non-traditional families. Not many people blush or seem embarrassed about having children outside of marriage or of living around from one partner to the next without any commitment at all, let alone marriage.

Sadly, these generations to come will miss out on a great advantage that most of us enjoyed—learning family values from our families. Within the family is where most of us received our values training for life. We learned to respect authority, be polite to others, to know right from wrong and to stand up to take the blame when we had done wrong.

The abandonment of family values has meant a decline in the family unit in our culture today. Divorce continues to plague our nation. Discipline and self-control are slipping away. Respect for the rules and authority of our government as well as our religions has also diminished.

Without some form of discipline we would all have chaos and uncertainty. When many people hear the word “discipline” they may think of punishment or of rules. In fact, discipline is defined as a method to obtain obedience to a set of rules. It is also to train by instruction as well as to punish.

Now I’m fairly certain that most of us have dreamed of a device that would magically turn those traffic lights green for us, especially when we were running late. But can you imagine a world in which that discipline of following the safety rules of driving was suspended? Would you feel safe to drive where no one obeyed the stop signs, traffic lights or speed limits? I think we all appreciate the fact that these disciplines and rules are in place to prevent chaos and to provide safety.

That’s the way we should view God’s word and His will for us today in the church. But, sadly, some people wish to suspend God’s ways and simply do what they feel like doing. Friends, that isn’t the kind of family value that God taught you to follow.

Take Noah for example. In Genesis 6:22 we are told that he did all that was commanded of him to do. That’s a great testimony to that man. Can we say today that we are doing all that God and Jesus and the church expects of us?

In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus says the following.

Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”

Apparently some people thought that they could do a portion of work in the name of Jesus and still be found acceptable to Him. But as this passage indicates, it is a total submission to His will that is required. Not just a partial obedience.

Naaman learned a difficult lesson about following instruction in 2 Kings 5:1-14 when he was determined to do some great thing to gain his healing from leprosy. He wanted to pay for healing or do something difficult. Instead he was told to go to a muddy river and wash seven times. He became irate and refused to do what he was told. But then he finally humbled himself and obeyed the instructions from God and found his healing.

Of course, discipline and rules mean nothing without authority. And Matthew 28:18 tells us that all authority has been given to Jesus. Further, that authority was given to the apostles, then to elders.

Friends, without a system of right and wrong there can be no righteousness. God provides us with a system or discipline, the rules and authority with which we can know how to act and how to be acceptable to Him.

On Our Daily Walk today, may we determine to be daily students of God’s word and may we humbly submit to do His will each day. May we learn to respect authority in all aspects of our lives and may we continue to be a shining example of God’s family values in a world of confused values.

Our thought for the day: “Spiritual bankruptcy is inevitable when a man is no longer able to keep the interest paid on his moral obligations.”

May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.

Family Portrait: The Structure Of The Church

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/2ptfz5

Lining the walls of many homes are the family portraits. There you will find pictures of the siblings, grandparents, cousins. Multiple pictures of our own families from various years are also hanging there. Sometimes you might even find a picture of an extended family all together in one place.

From the outside looking in it may be very easy to see who belongs, who is the father, who is the son, who is the mother, etc. Likewise, the church has a family portrait of sorts as well. This picture is how God painted how the church was to be organized, how it is to function and how it is to behave.

Paul compares the church to a body. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 he says the following.

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free — and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.

Christ is the head of that body, the church. Paul tells us that in Ephesians 5:23-24 as he says, “For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is the head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.”

To Timothy and Titus, Paul gives some detailed instructions on who would be qualified to lead in certain aspects of the church. 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 lay out the qualifications of elders and deacons in the church. These elders are charged with various aspects of the working of the church including the spiritual oversight, spiritual nutrition and protection of the local body of believers. The deacons are charged with supporting the work of the elders in carrying out certain tasks.

But like in so many natural families, not everyone gets along in the church as they should. Sometimes there are disputes. Paul addresses some of these in 1 Corinthians 12:15-22 when he gives a somewhat comical view of how jealousies could arise. Imagine a foot being jealous of a hand, or a ear being jealous of an eye.

Notice this reading from Ephesians 4:11-16.

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ — from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Did you catch that? We are all under Christ and we are all joined and knit together by what every joint supplies. The key to growth as a local body is also seen in that passage when Paul said, “according to the effective working by which every part does its share.”

Remember those family portraits on the wall? What would that family be like if dad never worked to provide for the family or if mom never fed the children? What kind of family would that be if the children refused to do their chores or were absent from the home for long stretches of time?

Healthy families work as a unit, love one another unconditionally, help one another constantly, are proud when one makes an accomplishment and are sympathetic when one endures a heartache. Healthy families are healthy because every part is doing what it is supposed to be doing.

God’s portrait of the church doesn’t show a perfect people. It shows a forgiven people still struggling to do what is right.

Friends we have a deep longing for fellowship and belonging. We need a family to love and protect us. We need a place to call our own. We need to be a part of God’s family!

On Our Daily Walk today, may we ask ourselves, “What part of the body of Christ am I?” May we determine to do all that we can do, be all that we can be and encourage all that we can encourage along our journey as a child of God.

Our thought for the day: “If we want better people to make a better world, then we will have to begin where people are made—in the family.”

May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.

Family History: Heritage And Ancestry

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/2xhfuu

Most people are very proud of their history. Towns and schools often erect signs or monuments to great achievements from the past. Trophies are proudly displayed and heroes are warmly remembered. Having a great heritage and history can be a tremendous advantage to a community.

But simply having a great past does not guarantee a successful future. Sometimes people can be caught reliving the past instead of living the present. Nostalgia certainly has its place, but one must not forget to pick up and do the things that need to be done in the present.

Most people today mistakenly assume that churches they see today have always been around and will be around for generations to come. But the fact is that most churches have relatively short life cycles. In a Bell Curve illustration the majority of churches can be seen with at least one growth cycle, a peak, an extended plateau and then a sudden or gradual decline. All of these events can take place in as little as 40 years or as long as 60-80 years.

The church at Ephesus is a good study in a life cycle of a church. In the first six verses of the book of Ephesians you will see that Paul praises this church and tells them that they are a chosen people, adopted by God. In chapter 2 Paul tells them that they were made alive, having been formerly dead in their sins. They had chosen to leave the lifestyle of the world and instead walk in the way of the Lord.

In verse 12 this is vividly illustrated as Paul says they were “without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” But then he adds this section from verses 19-22.

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

What a great heritage they had! They were building on the foundation of Christ Himself. But, sadly, they didn’t remain on that firm foundation.

In 2 Timothy 4:1-4 Paul gives a stern warning to Timothy concerning some who would depart from the faith. Timothy was working with these people in Ephesus.

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

Paul also warned the elders of the church at Ephesus to be on guard. In Acts 20:27-30 he tells them to “take heed” because after his departure, “savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after themselves.”

And these things happened. In Revelation 2:1-5 Jesus tells the Ephesian church that they had many good works. But then He says, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.”

Within a span of about 60 years or so, the church at Ephesus had experienced a great beginning, looked back on a tremendous heritage and had forgotten their first love. As Paul had predicted and warned Timothy and the elders, that church had fallen. Had they followed his warnings and instructions no doubt that church would have remained strong in number as well as strong in their faith.

On Our Daily Walk today, may we use the past to build us up and may we give glory to God for what others have done for good in the past. However, may we determine this very hour that it is up to us to help the church grow today. May we daily build our heritage, our history that leads new people to Christ.

Our thought for the day: “The reason history repeats itself is that most people weren’t listening the first time.”

May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.

Renew Our Commitment

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/27fdfa

Divorces are unfortunately a part of our culture. Various studies have been done to determine why marriages fail and why divorce is so often the course of action after a problem. Infidelity, money problems, lack of intimacy, fell out of love, problems with children and many other reasons could be cited. However, the number one cause for divorces today is simply a failure to live up to our commitments.

Religiously many relationships fail as well and for the same reason. People forget and fall out of love with God. They forget their promise of fidelity and follow after other gods. They fail to have the intimacy with God as they stop speaking with Him in prayer and stop listening to Him from the Bible. Sometimes they separate from God because they can’t get along with some of His children.

But unlike a marriage where certainly one and most likely both parties share in the blame, our failure to keep our commitments to God is totally ours. God is faithful in all things. We are not. Friends, we need to renew our commitment!

God offers us so many blessings, yet we often leave them unclaimed. Notice what David writes in Psalm 34:8-9.

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;

Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints!

There is no want to those who fear Him.

It is possible for us to love God and then forget about it. The church in Ephesus did this. In Revelation 2:1-5, Jesus praises them for their good works, but says, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”

Isn’t that terrible to think that even though they had been doing so many good things they had forgotten about loving God? Friends, that could happen to any Christian, any church, any where. We must be careful to renew and maintain our commitment to God!

The church in Laodicea was also addressed by Jesus, this time in Revelation 3:14-15. “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”

In both situations Jesus is speaking to Christians. In the first passage they had done great works, but had lost their love for God. In the second, they were not doing the right things and were repulsive to the Lord. In neither case was the Lord satisfied with their standing. Friends we need to renew our commitment to the Lord!

How shall we go about to renew our commitment? Here are three suggestions.

1. Humble ourselves. James says in James 4:7-10 that if we humble ourselves that He will lift us up.

2. Purge all sin from our lives. You can read about the sins of Achan in Joshua 7. His attempt at keeping back and hiding some of the spoils of war cost Israel a defeat at Ai. There was sin in the camp and that goes against our commitment to God.

3. Call on God for renewal and restoration. Pray, ask, receive. David prayed for renewal in Psalm 51:10. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” David had just been exposed for his sins and he turned to God for renewal.

In marriages, many people will say “I do” and never mean it. Others will say “I do” and mean it, but later will lose that commitment. Some will say “I do” and mean it and work a lifetime to keep that commitment going.

The same is true of our commitment to God. Some never intend to be faithful. Others intend to do so but stop growing and fade away to other loves. Few will mean it, keep it and live as they should.

Friends, the choice is entirely up to us. Are you ready to be committed to God?

On Our Daily Walk today, may we pray our thanks to God for sending His Son to die for us. May we not take lightly the sacrifice made on our behalf and may we act today to obey that precious gospel which is the power of God unto salvation.

Our thought for the day: “He who would be great must be fervent in his prayers, fearless in his principles, firm in his purposes, and faithful in his promises.”

May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.

Renew Our Joy, Peace, Happiness

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/25sztc

It is a really good question. “If you Christians are supposed to be going to heaven, then why don’t you act like you are happy about it?” Some Christians don’t appear to be happy about anything. It would seem that they really don’t have the joy, peace and happiness that Christians should possess.

Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence, that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Notice that the right we have is to pursue happiness, not to be happy. There is a difference.

Some people think that happiness comes in the form of things. “If I just get that boat then I’ll be happy.” But true happiness does not come from things, emotional hype or shallow religious experiences. True happiness comes from having the assurance that your life is found to be pleasing and righteous in the sight of God.

Let’s spend a moment to define these three words: joy, peace, happiness.

Joy: 1) the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires, 2) a state of happiness, 3) a source or cause of delight.

Peace: 1) a state of tranquility or quiet, 2) freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions, 3) harmony in personal relations.

Happiness: 1) a state of well-being and contentment, 2) a pleasurable or satisfying experience.

If we are to ask how to renew our joy, peace and happiness, we probably should first answer how we lost them.

Any action apart from God’s will robs us of the ability to have joy, peace and happiness. For all of recorded history mankind has thought that his ways would prove to be the way to happiness. But the pursuits of sex, money, power, and material things have left mankind with an empty feeling.

In Psalm 51 David pours out his heart after his sins with Bathsheba were exposed. Listen to his words in verses 10-13.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from Your presence,

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,

And sinners shall be converted to You.

David understood that true joy, peace and happiness would elude him until he made things right with God. He prayed for a clean heart and a renewed spirit in order to live in the way that God desired him to live.

Obedience to the way of God becomes a critical key to our future joy, peace and happiness. Listen to the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 28:1-2.

Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God.

Imagine that! If we obey the commandments of God we can expect that blessing shall come upon us and overtake us. Friends, the key to being full of joy, peace and happiness begins with obeying the will of God.

On Our Daily Walk today, may we take a critical look at ourselves and where we stand with God. May we make adjustments today that will allow us to better obey God and be better positioned to find joy, peace and happiness in our life.

Our thought for the day: “Grief can take care of itself; but to get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with.” Mark Twain

May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.

Renew Our Strength

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/2ryoeq

I never understood the frustration of someone seriously ill until I also became ill. I had heard others speaking of their loss of strength and the long recovery time to regain their energy, but I didn’t fully appreciate it until much later on.

It’s no fair to have your strength drained from you overnight. Neither is it a pleasant thought to think about rehabilitation, training and weeks or months of effort just to return to where you were before you became ill. But then, if you really want to renew your strength after an illness, there is no shortcut. You must follow the plan.

When we think about our spiritual strength we need to understand that our strength comes from God. Samson is a good example of this. In Judges 16:15-17 we are told that his strength was in his hair. His enemies exploited this and shaved his head. Powerless, they were able to take Samson captive.

Satan seeks to exploit our strength as well. He seeks to find where we are the weakest and nibble away until he can find a way into our lives. Once there, he will continue to drain us of our spiritual energy. We must not allow this to happen.

God granted great victories and strength to His people. They obeyed God and the walls of Jericho fell in Joshua 6. But then the spies from the Promised Land in Numbers 13-14 chose not to believe in God’s strength and the ten bad spies die. And don’t forget about Aaron and Hur in Exodus 17:8-16 helping Moses to keep his hands held up so the victory would be theirs. Friends, God offers us strength and victory. We need to choose to accept it.

To renew our spiritual strength we need to remember that the source of our power comes from God. There is assurance in knowing that we have a redeemer, salvation and a reward waiting for us. (Heb. 2:1-4, 2 Tim. 4:6-8). There is great value in knowing that there is strength in numbers. Synergy causes us to be stronger together than apart. (1 Cor. 12:12-14.) Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 4:12, “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

We also need to remember to grow in our faith. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” We need to take the necessary steps to grow in our faith. Peter tells us that if we add the things listed in 2 Pet. 1:5-11, that we will not falter nor be unfruitful in our efforts on earth.

We also need to remember that God is protecting His people from temptation. Listen to what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:12-13.

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Isn’t that wonderful news? There is no temptation that we face but what God is there to help us through it. Now, most people may not realize just how powerful they can be as God’s children. With His help, there is nothing that we can’t overcome in the way of temptation. Now that’s power!

The next time you feel weak in the face of temptation just remember that your strength comes from God and He is equipping you with enough strength to say “no” to any temptation you face.

Paul said in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” That didn’t mean that he could do everything, but rather that he could accomplish all that God desired due to the strength from above.

Friends, rather than disparage our weaknesses, let’s play to our strengths. Remember that you are a part of the body of Christ. Not everyone will be an ear, eye, hand or foot. There are different talents, abilities and needs. Play to your strengths. Find your part in the body and do your part with all of your strength.

On Our Daily Walk today, may we learn to trust God more each day and learn to gain strength, wisdom and power from His word as we read it frequently. May we never become fearful of anyone because the Lord is the strength of our life!

Our thought for the day: “Do not pray for an easy task. Pray to be stronger!”

May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.

Renew Our Love

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/2v3nzh

Og Mandino once said, “I will make love my greatest weapon and none on who I call can defend against its force. My love will melt all hearts liken to the sun whose rays soften the coldest day.” Do you believe that your love is powerful? How about God’s love for you?

Notice these two passages from 1 John 4:7-8 and 20-21.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

These passages tell us that love is tied to God and to others. Love is not optional as some may assume. Love is commanded.

What do we need to renew about our love? I would suggest three areas: our love to God and Jesus, our love to the church and finally our love for the lost.

A gift of love is not always expected and often is not even deserved. That’s the kind of love that God and Jesus demonstrated for us. John 3:16 tells us that God sent Jesus to die for us because He loved the world so much. Romans 5:8 tells us basically the same thing. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Why do we deserve God’s love? Well, we don’t! No one does. It is a gift that is freely given, but not deserved. Friends when we remember this important fact it will help us to renew our love to God and to Jesus for what they have done for us.

We also need to renew our love to the church, the body of our Savior, Jesus. Divorce rates are way too high. Conflicts and disagreements go unchecked and cause division in business, families, neighborhoods, even churches. Ira North once stated that most church splits occur not because of doctrine, but rather on personalities. I think he’s right.

Some people forget about the role of love in their life. They think too highly of themselves and they have forgotten that they, too, are sinners, and were redeemed by the blood of Jesus. Others struggle to accept God’s love because their sin is ever on their mind. When love is absent from the body, the church, nothing good will last.

To renew our love for the church, which includes the members as well as the church collectively, we must begin with the love for the head of the church, Jesus. Paul writes of the church as a body in 1 Corinthians 12:25-27.

(T)hat there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

Everyone should anticipate a reception of love, acceptance and help when they approach the gathering of the church. If they don’t find it, something needs to be renewed.

Friends we must also renew our love for the lost. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, so why shouldn’t we be more focused on the same?

Sadly, some people just don’t care about the ones who are separated from God. They may not say it outwardly, but their actions speak volumes. Paul spoke in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 about being all things to all men in the hopes of saving some. Now, Paul didn’t save anyone of his own power. That was reserved for the blood of Christ. But Paul’s actions did allow for multitudes of people to see the gospel and to be able to obey it. Without love for the lost Paul would have never sacrificed himself as he did.

Friends, conflicts and disputes are a fact of life. Don’t allow them to remain as you find them. Work within God’s instructions and resolve as many as you can.

On Our Daily Walk today, may we come to understand that it is impossible for us to sing, “Oh How I Love Jesus” and not also learn to love one another. May we find some way every day to show our love for others as well as for God.

Our thought for the day: “It is impossible for two persons to hate each other and both of them to love God.”

May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.

Renew Our Relationships

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/3cf6l5

Problems with relationships date all the way back to the Garden of Eden and the Bible is full of examples of people who had difficulties with one another. Some killed. Some argued over who was the greatest. Some churches were dysfunctional because of jealousies, factions, gossip and doctrinal impurities. Relationships are a key factor in Christian living, yet many of them need to be renewed.

Isaiah 9:6 calls Jesus the Prince of Peace, yet Matthew 10:34 states that Jesus came not to bring peace but a sword. Some conflict is to be expected in the world. Good and evil will always be in conflict.

Solomon anticipated conflict in the Proverbs and he offers great solutions. We are told to hold our tongues, avoid slander, tell the truth, speak gently, think before we talk, listen carefully, don’t gossip, avoid flattery, trust in God and the list goes on. (See Prov. 10:18-19; 12:22; 13:3; 15:1, 28, 31; 16:24, 28; 17:9; 19:22:24:26; 26:20; 29:23, 25.)

Additionally the New Testament also deals with renewing our relationships. The Sermon on the Mount and Paul’s writings are full of excellent instruction. Forgive, don’t be quarrelsome, live in harmony, show love, replace bitterness and wrath with kindness, forgiveness and tender heartedness. (See Matt. 6:14-15; 2 Tim. 2:14, 24; Phil. 4:2; 1 Thes. 5:13; 1 Cor. 13:4-8; Eph. 4:31-32.)

Problems in relationships generally spawn from one or more of the following areas.

1. The influence of Satan is evident in the world around us. Adam and Eve fell victim first and each of us has followed.

2. Personal attributes, attitudes and actions also cause problems in relationships. Greed, hypocrisy, jealousy, seeking to do evil to others all have their place in destroying relationships.

3. A lack of commitment will also cause problems. This is true not only of our relationship to God, but also in our relationship to our spouse, country, or employer. If we are not fully committed to keep our word, then our relationships will suffer.

4. And then there are communication failures. Jesus speaks very clearly on resolving conflicts in Matthew 5 and Matthew 18. He says to go and quickly communicate with someone who is in conflict. In one passage he tells the offender to go and the other passage he tells the offended to go. Sadly, many times relationships fail because these communications are cut off.

So how are we to overcome problem relationships? Here are four suggestions.

1. Remember the basics. Love, esteem others better than yourself, love one another as Christ has loved us. (See Phil. 2:3; 1 John 3:23 and Eph. 5:25.)

2. Change ourselves. Don’t accept the saying, “I’m just that way,” or “I’m no worse than the other fellow.” God doesn’t want us to be satisfied with less than what we can be. Neither will He be happy with us just to be marginally better than our adversary. He wants us to put away improper behavior, rudeness, and seek humility, meekness and a life in submission to His will.

3. Model good relationships. Look for those good examples in the Bible as well as in the world around you. Read the Bible as if the people of the Bible were speaking directly to you, instructing you in your life. Talk with those who are highly respected in business and who have a great reputation for what they do. Learn to imitate what is good and put away things that take away from your ability to give glory to God in everything you do.

4. Learn to resolve conflicts. Unfortunately we are not born with the ability to right wrongs or to resolve conflicts. We must learn these actions. Read the account of Paul, John Mark, Silas and Barnabas in Acts 15:37-41. Their contention was very severe, yet they found a solution. Later we can read of a reconciliation of those who were estranged.

It may be our human nature to strike back when hit or to reply hatefully when hurt. But God expects more from us than that. Consider Paul’s words from Romans 12:18.

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

On Our Daily Walk today, may we learn the power that God has granted us to be peacemakers on the earth. May we learn to love, forgive, guide and encourage as we struggle through the adversities of this life. May we understand that peace with others largely depends on us.

Our thought for the day: “A person cannot be a peacemaker until first he finds peace for himself.”

May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.

Renew Our Spirit

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/2nwxen

Are these ever on your mind? “I don’t pray anymore.” “Worship has lost its meaning to me. I just feel like I’m going through the motions.” “I feel like there should be something more to all this.” “I don’t think I care anymore about the lost.” “Have I allowed my love for God to grow weak?”

We all need spiritual renewal from time to time. Even people in the Bible needed renewal. One such example was David. Listen to what he wrote shortly after Nathan had exposed David for his sins with Bathsheba. This is in Psalm 51:1-3.

Have mercy upon me, O God,

According to Your lovingkindness;

According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,

Blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

And cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions,

And my sin is always before me.

Certainly sin causes a need for spiritual renewal. When we sin, and everyone does, we become out of step with God. We need to be renewed.

Renewal is needed if we have stopped growing or don’t anticipate the joy of living for God. Some become apathetic toward the work or mission of the church. They no longer find joy in looking to God’s word or God’s people. Renewal of spirit is needed.

Renewal is also needed when we see “dreary duty” of God instead of “sanctified service.” This often occurs in a person that is going through the motions of worship or Christian living instead of concentrating on living a godly life each day.

So how can we renew our spirit? Renewal cannot be forced, dictated or commanded. A church leader or preacher cannot twist your arm and make you be renewed spiritually. It must start within each of us. We see the need, and then we seek renewal from God.

To renew your spirit simplify your life. Untangle the complexities and focus on the main things. Keep first things first. Your soul is more important than your job. Keep God at the top of your list.

Moses writes the following excellent instruction in Deuteronomy 10:12-13.

And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?

What is it that the Lord requires of us? Notice those five important foundations that Moses included. 1. Fear the Lord. 2. Walk in His ways. 3. Love Him. 4. Serve Him with all of your heart and soul. 5. Keep the commandments.

I would suspect that each of us would find at least one of these areas lacking when our spirits are in need of renewal. Perhaps we no longer fear or respect God as we should. Then our spiritual life will suffer. Or maybe we choose to walk our own path instead of the one He illuminates for us. Then too our spiritual life will suffer.

In a world with so many problems why would we want to create more problems by turning our backs on God? I know that we don’t intentionally do this—at least not all the time. But, friends, when there is a spiritual deficiency in our lives it is not because of a lack of power on God’s part. It is because we have become disconnected from our spiritual source. Are you in need of spiritual renewal today? Look to God.

On Our Daily Walk today, may we determine to look to God and His word today in order to lift and renew our spirits. May we learn to help others find renewal as well in their lives as we continue to strengthen our own spiritual lives.

Our thought for the day: “A place of worship should be of such character that it is easy for men to find God and difficult for them to forget Him.”

May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.

Love Is Commanded

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/38ekgy

Siblings often find themselves on one another’s nerves. In fact, sometimes they can act pretty hateful toward one another. After all, they didn’t choose to be in that situation, they were born into it. But before long a parent is sure to separate the sparring siblings and send them to their respective rooms saying, “Now you spend some time in there thinking and when you can remember that you love each other then you can come out.”

Love is the ultimate goal in that situation. Where love is lacking, problems arise. The parent in that case was placing the siblings in a situation where they were to remember what part love plays in their relationship.

Jesus also reminds us about the importance of love in our relationships as well. Please consider our need to place our Savior’s wishes above our own as shown in Matthew 16:24-27.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.”

Whatever Jesus asks us to do, we should be ready and willing to do it. Anything we gain apart from Him will be worthless to us.

Notice this passage in John 13:31-35 where Jesus actually commands that we love one another.

So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Did you notice that? The world will know that we belong to Jesus by the love that we have for one another. Of course, the opposite would be true as well. If Christians can not or will not demonstrate their love to one another then what does that say about them to the world?

Finally, let us consider this wonderful passage from John 15:9-14 where Jesus defines the ultimate show of love.

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

I love that passage! Jesus gave the ultimate price in His love for us. That’s the ultimate price for friendship. And we can partake of that friendship if we will do whatever He has commanded. In this passage the command is love.

On Our Daily Walk today, may we demonstrate our love to Jesus by showing our love to others. May we find the joy of Jesus in us and feel our own joy as we freely give our love to others, especially those who do not deserve it.

Our thought for the day: “The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost.” G. K. Chesterson

May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.

Love Others As God Loves You

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/2ouhky

Love abounds in our lives but we often overlook it. You can see love in people at the grocery, at the restaurant and even in the passing cars on the highway. You can also see it in the hope-filled eyes of two young people as they begin to date. But to see love exemplified sometimes you need to see it from a different perspective.

Each day without exception you will find her there by the bedside of her husband in a nursing home facility. Some days he knows she is there. Other days he doesn’t. But that doesn’t matter. She is there anyway. Her promise to him many decades earlier was to love, cherish and honor one another until death separated them. It didn’t matter if the days were filled with poverty or riches, sickness or health. They had made their commitment to love one another.

True love like this no doubt was tested over the years, yet it remains stronger in the end than in the beginning. This kind of love was based partly in expectation—an expectation that we hold to our promise to God, to one another and to ourselves.

In part, our love to one another is also based upon the love that God has shown to us. Consider what John wrote in 1 John 4:9-21.

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

There can be no doubt in the Christian’s mind that God really does love us. He sent His only Son to die in our place. Now that’s love! But God’s love to mankind wasn’t based on our mutual love to Him in return. Instead is was in spite of our rejection of God that Jesus came and died in our place. God’s act of love was given in hopes that we would accept His love and give our love to Him in return.

That’s why to the Christians God commands us to love one another as well as to love Him. In so doing we become an extension of His work on earth and we may enable others to be drawn to Him through our love.

In a world full of divorce it is especially refreshing to see a husband and wife who hold their marriage together until the end despite the inevitable difficulties of life. And it is even more refreshing to see a godly love being shown to others who certainly do not deserve it.

On Our Daily Walk today, may we choose to be more loving to those today who do not deserve our love. May we look to love others as God loved us and see what a difference it will make.

Our thought for the day: “He loves not Christ at all who does not love Christ above all.”

May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.

Love Your Enemies

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/2nhvba

Enemies are a fact of life. In the animal world some are spoken of as “natural enemies,” which is a nice way of saying that someone higher up on the food chain is looking your way for dinner. In the human part of the world our enemies come from various sources. Some enemies we make through disputes. Others appear due to prejudices, politics, or any number of other realms of disputes. Someone has said that the difference between our friends and our enemies is that our friends love us in spite of our faults and our enemies hate us in spite of our virtues.

Naturally we do not place our enemies higher than our friends when making out our invitation list for a party. The very nature of an enemy is one opposed to us. But Jesus has a better way of dealing with those in opposition.

Note what Jesus says in Matthew 5:43-48.

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Real love that the Christian is to have is a love that treats an enemy well even though he doesn’t deserve it. It is a love that emulates the love that God and Jesus showed for mankind when that great sacrifice was made for our sins.

Consider further what Paul says in Romans 12:9-21.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

One may well ask, “What hope is there to love our enemies when we don’t even love those whom we should love?” That is an excellent question. The answer is in simply obeying what God says to do.

Hate stirs up enemies and creates more and more of them. But love is the cure for the common enemy. Love binds people together, looks out for their best interests and keeps a watchful eye out for God in the equation. Love is the only weapon that will defeat an enemy on a consistent basis.

On Our Daily Walk today, may we pray today about our enemies and may we study these passages on how to treat them. May we then plan specific ways in which we can demonstrate our love for our enemies.

Our thought for the day: “Those who deserve love least need it most!”

May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.