"Love your neighbor as you love yourself"
"Do this because we live in an important time. It is now time for you to wake up from your sleep, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The 'night' is almost finished, and the 'day' is almost here. "
We do live in an important time! Reading the newspaper is almost like reading the bible! The events predicted in the bible seem to be happening in our time. So we must wake up! We must take up the weapons God has given us to fight the battles of life that will and are coming our way - especially as the devil knows his time is coming to an end. He would love it if all the people came over to his "side" of the battlefield and went down with him. There is so much on this subject in the bible. We can go to the end of the book, and read the outcome - Jesus wins - we win the battle! The devil is defeated. The best weapons we have are love of Jesus, and for our neighbors, The Holy Spirit dwelling within us, the scriptures, prayer, and obedience to God's commands.
One of the ways I pray is praying the newspaper. As I read it, I ask the Lord to show me what He would want me to pray for today. When something catches my eye, I believe He is saying "this needs prayer" and "that needs prayer" and "this person needs prayer", etc. And there is so much to pray for in this day and time. Once I was even led to pray for a house that was in the want ad section for sale - that it would sell that day! I have no idea why I was led to that particular ad, or what happened with it, but I believed I was meant to pray for that house that day. Sometimes I am truly amazed at some of the stories I read in the newspaper that are so much like what I read in the bible once - so I have to see if I can find it again.
Sometimes I can only lay my hands on that newspaper and pray in tongues for a few minutes, and I know God is hearing that prayer, and that He has others praying for the same things as I am praying for!
First and formost, though, I know we need to pray for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will teach us all things. He will direct our paths, and lead us. He lets us understand the things of God.
Can you share a little of your insight on this subject?
2 comments:
I like the Newspaper Prayer idea, Lonnie. When I hear a siren, I slip in a quick prayer to please be with whoever that emergency vehicle is intended for and to be with that team of responders. I would want someone to do the same for me or mine.
I wish Beverly were here to tell the story of telling her students to pray unceasingly. It is the most wonderful testimony!!
Loving your neighbor can sometimes be next to impossible, wouldn't you agree? Love that person who harasses you every chance he has, or yelled at your kids, or keyed your car. Love that boss who is so cold and unappreciative, or that employee who takes advantage of your generous sick leave plan. Love that ex-spouse who hurt you beyond words, or that cocky kid down the street who doesn't have a lick of manners. Yeah, right!
Well, yes, right! You don't have to be a door mat and be walked on again and again, but you are called on to love. You don't have to open yourself up to be hurt or harmed over and over, but you do have to love.
One way to love is to pray. And I believe that God is the only one who can change the heart of any human being. He is the only one who saves. Pray for those you have a hard time loving. Ask God to touch them with love and save their soul. Ask God to show you HOW to love that person - sometimes it does have to be from a distance. Only God can change a heart, and He truly does want to share eternity with all of us by his side. PRAY PRAY PRAY for the people who are a thorn in your side, and pray for those who you've hurt.
Lonnie, I sure hope people find this blog and read it and contribute. You put some mighty wise morsels out there via your writing. Thank you for doing so.
Thank you, Sharon! This is such a good writing you have put here. You have made me realize that Loving your neighbor goes along with forgiveness!
Something very important to think about! We must love everyone - even our enemies - enough to pray for them! That is very hard to do. But, according to God's word, we must!
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