Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 10, 2015
When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Matthew 4:12
There are days of mistreatment that come from disloyal and jealous people. Sometimes good people experience bad consequences so the glory of God can be made known through their lives. John boldly took a public stand for his faith and was punished for his courageous obedience to God. Do you feel like you have been wronged for doing right? Has your faith been put on trial, and were you convicted for speaking the truth?
Your circumstance of ill treatment may not result in a physical rescue from Christ. It is in your trapped condition that He wants your intimacy with Him to grow deeper and sweeter. Your authorities at work may have broken a promise or used an unscrupulous process to obtain desired results. You feel used and abused. So how will you respond? Will you return evil for evil, or will you extend grace in the face of extreme frustration?
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil…. ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head’” (Romans 12:17, 20). A radical response of love is a remedy for being isolated by an unjust person.
What are you learning as a result of feeling rejected or misunderstood? Has your determination grown in its resolve, and do you have more focused attention on your mission? Loss of freedom and/or resources realigns us to the essentials of an effective strategy and efficient execution.
Use this time of limited options to build sustainable systems and productive processes. Cling to your core values as your compass for behavior. Your optimism is an insurgent against others’ insecurities. Lastly, let the Lord be your source of strength. Faith forged on the anvil of adversity becomes solid steel in mental toughness, emotional stability, and spiritual maturity.
When people see Jesus in your humble, non-defensive attitude, they hear His voice of truth. Learn your lessons from the Lord during stressful situations, and leave it with Him to educate others in what needs to be done. Perseverance pays with respect and results.
Prayer: Am I consumed with trusting Christ or with my unjust treatment? How can I, by God’s grace, love the unlovely?
Related Readings: Psalm 23; Psalm 109:5; 2 Timothy 3:2; Revelation 7:12
Taken from the December January 10th reading in Seeking Daily the Heart of God v.2… https://www.wisdomhunters.com/bookstore/seeking-daily-the-heart-of-god-volume-ii/
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Living on the defense, we react when people hurt us, living on the offense, we are carrying the ball for the Kingdom of God and we run through the things that used to run over us. Taking up an offense is a true bait of satan. We must learn to not react in the flesh, but respond with Christ’s power and strength. When we react less in the flesh, we respond more in the Spirit of Christ. Flesh out our reaction by keeping alive in our daily vital-vertical relationship with Jesus a Kingdom Perspective. Having a Kingdom perspective is living on the offensive side of life, so we are responding, instead of defensively reacting. It simply-significantly adds a miraculous edge to our lives when we live out of a Kingdom perspective first instead of an earthly viewpoint. A Kingdom perspective is influenced and inspired by God, a worldly perspective is influenced by the culture. One is steady and sure, the other is constantly changing with the tides of cultural say-so. So I asked myself after reading this post: Which one am I living out of? Kingdom Perspective or Earthly Viewpoint?
I really needed this today…but not necessarily because I have been mistreated but because I frequently witness my grandson being mistreated.
I see my grandson getting physically hurt by other children…2 are his cousins and one is by my son’s girlfriend’s son…basically these other children are undisciplined bullies who bully other children as well as my grandson. One child threw his matchbox car across the room at my grandson’s face…another child took his zip lock bag of hot wheels and smacked them across my grandson’s face etc…and this child was kicked out of preschool several times…my prayer is that I would have wisdom and discernment on how to encourage my grandson on what his response should be…my carnal nature wants my grandson to retaliate the same way he was treated…but I know that would not be appropriate…I want so much to be the godly grandma that I need to be.
Thank you!
Dear Cathy~
Goodness, I know that must be hard for a grandmother to watch. I admire your desire to pray for wisdom and discernment in this situation. Our Wonderful Counselor knows what you should do and knows what is best for your precious grandson.
“Counsel and sound judgement are mine; I have understanding and power.” Proverbs 8:27
Debra, pray for strength and courage, too, so that you may boldly do whatever the Lord asks of you. Your last statement is “I want so much to be the godly grandma that I need to be”, speaks to the fact you are a Godly grandmother because you are wisely seeking God’s Guidance and Grace.
Thank you Debra, for reaching out to us after reading “Unjust Treatment”. We are thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter and were blessed by the devotional. We look forward to hearing from you again.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as member of one body, you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom …”
Colossians 3:15-16
Dear “Kmac4him”~
Once again, I thank you on behalf of the Wisdom Hunter’s family for your powerful insight and commentary, after reading “Unjust Treatment”. Your one statement “When we react less in the flesh, we respond more in the Spirit of Christ” simply and clearly states our “call to action” as believers engaging in relationships. Keeping that “Kingdom Perspective” is so vital in our daily walk and witness! I do not think it is possible without Our Heavenly Father’s assistance! No, I KNOW it is not possible!
Thank you again, for your wise and thought-provoking comments. We are so thankful for you and look forward to hearing from you again.
Blessings to you and yours in this new year.
“He must become greater, I must become less.” John 3:30
Thank you Gwynne!
I appreciate your reply and scripture references…:)
I will be spending time with my grandson…Kasey… tomorrow and please pray for our time together that I will be receptive to the Holy Spirit and his leading..:)
Cathy