Shalom Dear Brothers and Sisters Love Your Enemies We all know the words of Yeshua well in Luke 6: 27-36. Yeshua, says, "but I say to you hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.... but love your enemies, do good, lend, hoping for nothing in return, then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father is merciful". We seem to think that Yeshua was teaching us new principles to live by, but not so! He was simply putting into words that were easy to understand and reminding all who would listen of what the Tanakh/Torah taught. For in Exodus 23: 4-5 it says, "if you meet your enemies donkey or ox going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. If you see the donkey of the one who hates you lying under its heavy burden, and you should refrain from helping it, you shall surely help it". As I had been reading Exodus 23 and seeing this scripture I was reminded of the words of Yeshua. These were all the beautiful little nuggets in God's instructions that were being neglected at that time, and still are today. As Yeshua said it is easy to love those who love you for even sinners do that. It's these principles that Yeshua came to remind us of. Just as these instructions were first given at the foot of Mount Sinai they have not changed. God warned us back then not to add or subtract from His Words yet that's exactly what we do. Or we get so caught up in traditions and in ourselves we forget the words of Almighty God and our Master Yeshua. Several years back our house was broken into while we were out at morning services. The police caught the young boy who did it. We found out later it was a young teenager and acquaintance of our son who had done this. I must admit at first I was very angry. Apparently, the court decided to give him probation and that he should make some form of restitution financially. Of coarse, he never did and the courts are so over burdened with so many cases like this that there was no real follow-up. I'm glad I didn't press the issue with the courts for restitution. I pray for that young man now and I've also grown since then! If I could go back I would have been more proactive and would have liked to attend at his court case and asked the judge for mercy on his behalf. Although he did pretty much get that anyways. I'm glad, unfortunately he really didn't have proper guidance and I don't know where he is today. He would now be an adult and if he was continuing the path he was going he would be headed for jail. Reading the scriptures reminded me of that young boy. If I had been able to go to court and plea on his behalf to the judge or even speak with him extending forgiveness and mercy I would have been following what the Word of God said to do. Sadly I was not told of the court case the outcome or even who it was until many months later. So now I add him to my prayers. This is one example of why it is so important to stay in the Word of God daily and in His presence. So that He can teach us how to live in such a way that will bring glory to Him. At the same time proving to the world that we truly are sons and daughters of the Most High God! Not that we have to prove anything to the world, but by doing so we will be set apart. Having that peace that the rest of the world so desires. This is how we will win them to the Lord and making disciples of all men.
B'Shem Yeshua Hamashiach, Amen In His Love, Theresa
|
Mail your tax deductible checks ( Make the check to Isralite Ministries( USA)
For Credit Card and Paypal please click here Blessings Paul |