Wednesday Encouragement from Woman at the Well Ministries
Sunday, April 25, 2020
Song: “Jesus Loves Me”
Anna Bartlett Warner
Jesus loves me this I know
For the bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak but He is strong
Yes Jesus loves me
Yes Jesus loves me
Yes Jesus loves me
The bible tells me so
Jesus loves me He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide
He will wash away my sin
Let His little child comes in
Yes Jesus loves me
Yes Jesus loves me
Yes Jesus loves me
The bible tells me so
VERSE: Matthew 5:44, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
Upon first thought, loving your enemies is a very big ask. But, after a few minutes of reflection we see that our greatest gift was given to us because Jesus could love His enemies. Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, we were all once enemies with God. We chose to oppose Him, to reject His love, mercy, and goodness and to live a life that opposed all He stood for and valued. We were His enemy until His love transformed our hearts through our faith in Jesus Christ. Because of all He has done and continues to do for us, we must love those who treat us poorly, who hurt us and do us wrong. His forgiveness of our sins enables us to forgive others. It may not always be easy to continue to love those who have wronged you and hurt you. But it will always be the right thing to do. We need to dig deep and love those around us, even those who make it hard for us to do so. Remember, Jesus loves you. You are loved!
Prayer: Lord, You know how difficult it is for us to forgive. It requires an extra outpouring of Your grace and mercy to fill our hearts so that we can pour it out on others. It requires a clear look at all for which You have forgiven each of us. Lord, fill me with Your love. Help me to look past the faults of others, to see beyond the wrong and hurt they have done to me, and to forgive. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
*Sunday and Wednesday encouragements are written for our friends in Assisted Living, who we are unable to see regularly, due to COVID. We pray they are a blessing for you as well!