Daily Devotional

LOVING OTHERS IS A DIVINE TESTING GROUND

March 9

eloved, when a child of God cooperates with an evil spirit by oppressing others with anger, fierceness, judgment or any of the other unclean actions, these behaviors are very destructive. They interfere with the growth and maturity of that Christian and continually work to undermine the believer’s relationship to his/her Father in Heaven. Don’t you know that you are told, “If it is possible, live peaceably with all people?” (Romans 12:18 NKJV) This commandment of your Father especially holds true for you in relation to your family and to those that you are given in other loving relationships. If you are wondering why spiritual power, grace and blessings are not imparted in your life, then it could well be that you fit the category of the word which indicates that you should “. . . laying aside all malice and guile (deceit), hypocrisy, envy and ALL evil speaking . . . desire milk (the pure word of God) to grow thereby.” (I Peter 2:1, 2 NKJV) Beloved, if you will fill your mind and life with love, “blessing your enemies,” “praying for those who persecute you,” (Matthew 5:44) (all words from the Lord Jesus), you will be lifted by the Holy Spirit well past the obstacles and sin “which so easily ensnares us. . . “ (Hebrews 12:1 NKJV) Your relationship with others in your life is your testing ground for whether you will succeed in your spiritual life, or choose to remain powerless and ineffective in your walk with the Lord. How would you like to awaken in the morning filled with joy, power, energy in the Lord and with a strong purpose to go forth in grace and love, and at the end of the day have the sheer satisfaction that when you lay your head on your pillow you have “seen” God in His authority and majesty demonstrate to you His blessings all day long?! This can be a reality for you, if you will cease playing personality games with those around you. Forget your hurt feelings, and “poor little me” mentality. Get up from there and humble yourself “under the Mighty Hand of God.” (I Peter 5:6) He will “lift you up” and carry you to places of fruit bearing and ministering to the hurting and needy on a level that you never dreamed possible! The choice is yours---- play the games--- or walk “on my high places!” (Habakkuk 3:19b NKJV) You choose!

Prayer: Father, playing the games with other people is a “dead end” street for me. However, Lord I cannot take myself out of the game. I need you to deliver me. I confess my sins of “game playing.” I need you to come to me and bless me with a new life and temperament in the name of your Son Jesus, amen!