For the month of October I'd like you to carefully ponder, meditate on, and utter these words of Jesus, written in red below. Make it a personal confession by adding "I will" to Jesus' statements. For instance, "I will bless those who curse me and pray for those who despitefully use me...," etc.
Take a few minutes to do that right now, and when you're done, you may have some new revelation about yourself and about our Lord. Write down those things and drop me a line--I'd like to hear what the Holy Spirit is revealing to you. I can tell you that I find this passage hard to read and even harder to do. But if Jesus said we can do it, we must. But, oh my! My flesh doesn't agree, and when my mind gets involved, I don't want to do what this says to do! Who does? So today, as you soak in these words and the revelation you get from Holy Spirit, pay attention to your attitude toward other people. Do something incredible for someone who has treated you harshly or unfairly. Don't worry about what the person's response might be; just do it anyway and see what God does. If you obey these instructions, even though it's hard, it will be like planting seeds of blessing. Just see if what you sow comes back to you. It will! God will see to it. Are you up for the challenge? Let's do what the Word says to do! --PL Luke 6:28-36 (KJV): Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? For sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
14 Comments
Victoria
10/1/2014 06:22:46 am
I take the challenge
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10/22/2014 11:25:15 pm
Thanks for taking the October challenge, Victoria! With one week left in the month, how have you seen changes in your attitude or mindset? Have you had a chance to bless someone who has treated you badly in the past? Let us know!
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Leigh Ann
10/1/2014 08:13:05 am
I accept the challenge.
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10/22/2014 11:26:56 pm
Hi Leigh Ann! Thanks for taking the October challenge! Do you have any praise reports for changes you've seen in your relationships, or even just in your own heart and life? Let us know! One week left!
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Terri
10/1/2014 08:23:02 am
I accept the challenge!!!!
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10/22/2014 11:28:08 pm
Terri, thanks for taking the October challenge! Have you seen any changes in your relationships, or had a specific opportunity to bless someone who's treated you harshly? We'd love to hear about it! One week left!
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Linda
10/1/2014 06:23:29 pm
I take the challenge.
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10/22/2014 11:30:04 pm
Hi Linda! Congratulations on taking the October challenge! We'd love to hear of any testimonies over the past few weeks that show how God has used this challenge to transform your relationships, or even your own heart attitude. Let us know!
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laura
10/5/2014 04:54:37 am
I accept the challenge
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10/22/2014 11:31:55 pm
Thanks, laura, for your willingness to take on the October challenge! Have you seen any changes in your relationships? Have you noticed anything different about yourself? There's still one week left, so if you haven't had a chance to reach out to that "one" person you know is on your heart, you still have time! Fear not! And let us know how it goes. :)
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Cindy
10/5/2014 05:27:23 am
When I read this, right away I knew I needed to print it out and hang it up in my office right by my computer. I need this and I accept the challenge - and will read it daily and I know God will move.
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10/22/2014 11:34:21 pm
Hi Cindy! Thanks for taking the October challenge and committing to change the world around you! As you follow our Lord in word and deed, there will be supernatural shifts. Do you have any testimonies to share, such as transformed relationships, or changed attitudes? We'd love to hear them! One week left!
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Julie
10/7/2014 03:50:40 am
I am on it.
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10/22/2014 11:37:00 pm
Hi Julie! We are so excited about your decision to take the October challenge. With one week left, there's still time to have "that" conversation, or reach out with a gift or compliment to the person who has treated you harshly. Have you seen any changes up to this point? We'd love to hear your testimonies!
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The Daily BreadA devotional to equip, exhort, motivate and feed your spirit. Larry SmootPastor Larry Smoot is Senior Pastor of Church on the Rock in Stafford County, Virginia. Archives
October 2016
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