Ellocin's Journal

Today I read something that I feel may be helpful to others.  I suspect it won't be an easy subject to accept but it is so true. Yes it's a devotional...but it doesn't take long to read.  If it was long I wouldn't likely bother reading it either...hehe.  I'll give a little update on life at the end.

Love In Response

 

July 1, 2008

 

Key Passage: Matthew 5:38-42

 

Topic: Love; Relationships; Christian Living

 

"But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." (Matthew 5:39, ESV)

 

Life is filled with the good, the bad and the ugly. With the presence of evil in the world, and all our different personalities and the crazy circumstances of life, there's bound to be conflict between us. It's just a given.

 

But if you know God personally, how do you handle unfairness, betrayal, insults--the arrows to your heart? You must make a conscious decision to lift your sights to focus beyond the bad that comes your way. That focus has to be on God--on love.

 

God set the best example of love by offering His Son Jesus as a sacrifice for the wrong doing of the world. And He has called us to love others. It's not easy to return good for evil, but it's what sets Christians apart from everybody else.

 

Love is a powerful tool and it grabs a person's attention when it's the last response they expect. It's an honorable thing to love, especially when it's undeserved. And when we do, we give the world a glimpse of the love of God. And that's an amazing assignment.

 

In all that life throws your way, try to make a habit of responding to others with love and grace. It's a learned trait, but you're acting just like God by doing it. There are eternal benefits to living beyond your own comfort and extending love in the most difficult of times.

 

~~~

See, that wasn't so bad now was it?  Hehe.  I'm doing pretty good despite the rash still continuing.  In fact maybe in a weird twisted way this rash is a blessing.  I have been meeting and having fellowship with some great people in an online virtual reality (Second Life) that I wouldn't have otherwise had the time to meet.  I really feel Gods presence there (at Lighthouse, the main area I hang out) and am learning how to reach out in my isolation (since my doctor says I'm probably contagious).  Above all my relationship with God is improving so much and I am learning to look to Him for strength.  After almost 1 month of almost isolation it is rather amazing that I haven't sunk so low that I am depressed or suicidal...but you know I really am doing well mentally.  God is awesome.  Keep looking to Him, reach out to other believers if need be in your darkest hours...they can often help you pray when you no longer feel you got it in you.  

 

Nothing much on the agenda for today.  I'm sleepy as usual...quite tired.  I'm not sleeping as much through the night as i'd like to at least not last night...but I did have a long nap (3 hours) and so I didn't fall asleep until around 3am (the amount of water I drank before bed also didn't help in the sleep department)...and I woke up somewhat early (8:30am)...so I'm about ready for a nap.  I also need a shower at some point because I have 2 back-to-back appointments tomorrow.

 

Oh yeah...I watched Joyce Meher today on tv.  What a good show today.  I used to be so scared of her when I first saw her but I intriqued enough that I kept it on that channel and I'm glad I did.  Boy could I learn a lot from her messages.  If you aren't able to watch her on tv, you can go to her website www.joycemeyer.org and I believe you can watch it there or just listen.  Definitely worth it.  I am normally fairly quiet and reserved when watching tv and I was talking out loud saying "amen", "yes Lord", "yes", "mmmm", etc.  Hehe.  Was so good.  

 

So much for a short update, eh.  Hehe.  I like babbling sometimes and I just feel like sharing how wonderful I feel right now.  God truly is wonderful.  If we aren't getting what we need from Him...we need to look at what we are doing and how we are living...and likely make changes somehow.  How that would be...I imagine...would be different for each of us. 

Lots of love and ***HUGS*** to everyone.  You are wonderful and special...and yes that means you....yes, you, the one who is reading this entry!  *Smiles*  Take care and God bless.