A Different Response
A Different Response
by: Pastor David Wood
Matthew 5:43-45 NIV
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Luke 6:27-28 NIV
27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Ephesians 6:11-12 NIV
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
2 Corinthians 4:4-6 NIV
4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
What a week this has been. On the very week we remember our nation being attacked, we have had a school shooting in Colorado and the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old husband, father and well-respected speaker and conversationalist who traveled to colleges across America talking WITH them about different opinions between them and issues we face in our country.
I have a lot of emotions and feelings swirling around in my head currently. And my gut reactions are very human but not correct. So, I am mostly just going to point you to the verses above that I have shared and let the Word of God speak to your heart today, because I am still working on my heart, emotions and thoughts. I am focusing on the spiritual battle we are facing. I believe it is key.
We must not respond like the world by getting angry and attacking one another. That is exactly what our enemy wants us to do. He comes to kill, steal and destroy and he is hard at it in our world today and having great success. He wants to get us going and then just have us tear each other to shreds and we are doing a great job at that.
But the Word of God tells us that people that do not believe are blinded by satan so they can not see the truth of God and all that He has done for them. They are just walking around trying to find their way. The Word of God tells us also that we are all in a spiritual battle. The very people we are so angry with are just things to be used in Satan’s plans to kill, steal and destroy. He is just moving them around the game board of this world like Monopoly pieces. And as we rip each other apart, the enemy is just smiling.
That is what all of the verses above are talking about. Our flesh response wants blood and revenge but God is asking us to pray for grace, peace, hope, love, healing and repentance.
The REAL enemy is the one speaking in their ears and lying to them. The one that wants to keep them in bondage and take them all to hell with him. The one that wants to keep them all blinded to the ONLY ONE who can save them.
And you and I, well, we are told to be the light of God. They are a ship, lost in a storm being tossed to and fro and we are to be the lighthouse of Jesus. Can we do it church? Can we respond differently and pray in such a way for all the lost souls out there? On our own, no we can’t. But with God’s help, Jesus’ sacrifice and the Spirit of God in our hearts, yes, we can! Let’s all do that together.
Carry On,
David Wood - WBC Worship Pastor
by: Pastor David Wood
Matthew 5:43-45 NIV
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Luke 6:27-28 NIV
27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Ephesians 6:11-12 NIV
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
2 Corinthians 4:4-6 NIV
4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
What a week this has been. On the very week we remember our nation being attacked, we have had a school shooting in Colorado and the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old husband, father and well-respected speaker and conversationalist who traveled to colleges across America talking WITH them about different opinions between them and issues we face in our country.
I have a lot of emotions and feelings swirling around in my head currently. And my gut reactions are very human but not correct. So, I am mostly just going to point you to the verses above that I have shared and let the Word of God speak to your heart today, because I am still working on my heart, emotions and thoughts. I am focusing on the spiritual battle we are facing. I believe it is key.
We must not respond like the world by getting angry and attacking one another. That is exactly what our enemy wants us to do. He comes to kill, steal and destroy and he is hard at it in our world today and having great success. He wants to get us going and then just have us tear each other to shreds and we are doing a great job at that.
But the Word of God tells us that people that do not believe are blinded by satan so they can not see the truth of God and all that He has done for them. They are just walking around trying to find their way. The Word of God tells us also that we are all in a spiritual battle. The very people we are so angry with are just things to be used in Satan’s plans to kill, steal and destroy. He is just moving them around the game board of this world like Monopoly pieces. And as we rip each other apart, the enemy is just smiling.
That is what all of the verses above are talking about. Our flesh response wants blood and revenge but God is asking us to pray for grace, peace, hope, love, healing and repentance.
The REAL enemy is the one speaking in their ears and lying to them. The one that wants to keep them in bondage and take them all to hell with him. The one that wants to keep them all blinded to the ONLY ONE who can save them.
And you and I, well, we are told to be the light of God. They are a ship, lost in a storm being tossed to and fro and we are to be the lighthouse of Jesus. Can we do it church? Can we respond differently and pray in such a way for all the lost souls out there? On our own, no we can’t. But with God’s help, Jesus’ sacrifice and the Spirit of God in our hearts, yes, we can! Let’s all do that together.
Carry On,
David Wood - WBC Worship Pastor
Your support and generosity helps reach the lost with the good news of Jesus! I would like to thank all of you who have supported the work of the ministry at Water Brooks Church! You have been generous with your offerings and for that we are grateful!
Church at the Water Brooks is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law and are used to further our mission. Church at the Water Brooks tax identification number is 85-1283920.
Church at the Water Brooks is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law and are used to further our mission. Church at the Water Brooks tax identification number is 85-1283920.
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