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- Apr 25, 2006
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Responding like Jesus!
'Pray for those who persecute you.' MATTHEW 5:44
A soldier made it his goal to end each day with a Bible reading and prayer. As the others gathered in the barracks and went to bed, he'd kneel by his bunk. Some of them saw this and started dissing him. Then one night, he got on his knees like normal, and a heavy boot flew across the room and hit him in the face. The others mocked him, trying to pick a fight but the soldier never said a word. Next morning when the boot-thrower woke up he couldn't believe what he saw. There at the foot of his bed were his boots, polished and returned.
Imagine shining the boots that kick you! That takes some guts and what Jesus calls grace! Some of the guys in the barracks were 'leaders', they love to mock and hate anyone that's different. Others were 'followers'; they weren't necessarily bad, just weak and afraid to be different. Why did Jesus pray from the cross, 'Father, forgive them for they know not what they do'? Jesus understood that when people have been raised a certain way, they have problems and issues, and they need God too. He saw it as an opportunity to put God on display.
Being this kind of person takes far more than going to church on a Sunday. It needs us to be Christ-like, example-setting, love-displaying people that make others sit up and take notice. Your 'rights', your pride and your wounded ego are not the issue; the One you represent is!
written by Bob Gass
'Pray for those who persecute you.' MATTHEW 5:44
A soldier made it his goal to end each day with a Bible reading and prayer. As the others gathered in the barracks and went to bed, he'd kneel by his bunk. Some of them saw this and started dissing him. Then one night, he got on his knees like normal, and a heavy boot flew across the room and hit him in the face. The others mocked him, trying to pick a fight but the soldier never said a word. Next morning when the boot-thrower woke up he couldn't believe what he saw. There at the foot of his bed were his boots, polished and returned.
Imagine shining the boots that kick you! That takes some guts and what Jesus calls grace! Some of the guys in the barracks were 'leaders', they love to mock and hate anyone that's different. Others were 'followers'; they weren't necessarily bad, just weak and afraid to be different. Why did Jesus pray from the cross, 'Father, forgive them for they know not what they do'? Jesus understood that when people have been raised a certain way, they have problems and issues, and they need God too. He saw it as an opportunity to put God on display.
Being this kind of person takes far more than going to church on a Sunday. It needs us to be Christ-like, example-setting, love-displaying people that make others sit up and take notice. Your 'rights', your pride and your wounded ego are not the issue; the One you represent is!
written by Bob Gass
