The Trap

Sunday, October 15, ‎2023

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: 2 Samuel 7:22 New King James Version

Therefore You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

Memory verse: Philippians 4:8 ►Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Today's reading: ISAIAH 45-46 1 THESSALONIANS 3

The Trap

One side hates and the other side sees no hope and it happens innocently-subversively-covertly.

Wake up church of Jesus Christ!

1 John 2:15 ►Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.

The world hates righteousness and God hates sin. But if we do the same thing the world does, we are just like them-we are doing the same thing they are doing. If we return their hate, hate has become our lord...

Do you doubt this? What do you feel about the opposition to your political views? What do you feel for the person in your life who gives you the biggest pain? What do you feel for the people who don't seem to have to work but can stand in the streets with signs in hand and protest and go home and eat off the government they protest?

There is no excuse-we have assumed the right to hate. Strong word, hate, but that is just what it is.

During the Cuban missile crisis, I stood in our backyard and looked up at my Dad and asked, "Is this going to be over before school starts?" I wonder now what could have gone through his mind knowing what he did from fighting in the Pacific in World War II. He knew the ultimate destruction hate brings.

Hate and fear will go on forever if we allow it.

It is so easy to hate those who hate us and play it down-pretend it is not hate and say, "Well what do you expect-what else is there?"

It is a trap we have all had at least a foot in-if not our entire person.

1 John 2:15 says nothing of people-only things-we are not to love any 'thing' in the world-including hate. But people-we will never have permission from God to hate people.

We have a commandment from God to love our neighbor as ourselves-only love-that is it-never hate. (Matthew 22:37-40)

Argue all you want-God's answer will always be the same-Jesus died that none would perish-none.

None.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Forgive me-forgive me my hate. This sin is so black. I want to be filled with Your light and love. Teach me to love with all my faculties.

Gracious God of mercy and loving care.

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen