Thursday March 21 2013

Read: Matthew 5:43-48, Romans 5:6-11

Liuba Ganevskaya smiled at her interrogator as he hurled insults at her and beat her so that she might reveal the names of the other Christians. For the first time she looked up at him and did not see the cruel man she had seen during all the other beatings, she saw another child of God who was broken and lost. Asking her about the smile the man listened as she told him what she saw in him. Putting down his whip he left a changed man. (DC Talk, Jesus Freaks, 1999, p157)

 

For centuries those persecuting the church have been amazed by the grace and love of the Christians they are persecuting. What could possibly motivate such love and grace in the face of such hatred? Liuba understood the great love which Jesus had shown her when she was a sinner and chose to extend the same love to her torturer. Today’s reading from Romans shows us that even when we were God’s enemies He loved us and died for us to be in relationship with Him.

 

If Liuba is able to understand the great grace and love of Christ and apply it to her torturer how much more should we be able to love our enemies? Is there someone in your life who is your enemy? Is there someone who is actively seeking to harm you or to hurt you? Is there someone who hates you? Jesus is clear, we are to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. How can you do that today?

 

Prayer:

Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

¥ Pray for all those in your life who hate you or who would seek to harm you. Pray that God would work in their hearts that they might come to know Him. Pray that God would help you to be gracious and loving in the face of their hatred.

¥ Pray for the youth group as they gather together tomorrow night. Pray that God would give wisdom to the leaders as they seek to guide and to teach the youth. Pray that God would work in the hearts of the youth that they might live for Him.

 

My Additional Prayer Points.

1/.

 

2/.

 

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. Is there anyone in your life who hates you for being a Christian? How could you show love to that person this week?

2. How can you help each other to show love to those who hate you this week?