Thursday, Aug 07, 2008

TWG - August 7, 2008

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TWG - August 7, 2008
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
Leviticus 18; Psalm 71; Acts 23:1-11

Today is August 7, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. We are doing something of eternal significance. We are redeeming the time. That is one of the basic premises of TWG. We believe that what we do every day is so important that we must do the important things each day. That is why we read the word every Day

Well, I was back at it with a vengeance yesterday. I did all kinds of VBS preparation. I printed T-Shirt Transfers, I studied the opening and closing sessions, I helped Dale get a piece of plywood so he could cut marketplace signs, I rounded up 5 gallon buckets to put our roads signs in… someone had removed 5 of the cartons that secured our signs, so I had to put them back up. Al & Carolyn stopped in to drop off some baskets. Carl & Sonja were working in the kitchen. I went out to look at the well Carl P had made for VBS. It is awesome! Then last night I went and talked to our Life Insurance Agent Carol Heard for a while. She evidently has a love and passion for Jesus. I put a picture of Al & Carolyn on the Blog at http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com. Check it out.

This week’s theme verse is Luke 6:27-31 27 "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, "bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. "To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. "Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. "And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.

Blessing is a Hebrew tradition. The Priest blessed the nation with a special benediction, “The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face shine upon you and give you peace.” Fathers often gave an official blessing to their children as part of their birth right. They would say things like, “May you have many children, may you inherit the gates of your enemies, may your corn and wine increase!” But I can’t think of an example in the Old Testament of a Hebrew blessing their enemies! That makes no sense at all! How about if all of us repeat the following formula to Islamic terrorists, “May God bless you and may you prosper!” That’s like sick-um to a dog! “Way to go Osama! May God bless your next suicide bombing!” NOT! Wait a minute! Don’t write this off so quickly. There’s an awesome truth here. The subject of blessing was mistaken (suicide bombing), but the idea of blessing your enemy is sound. What could be a better blessing than that they would find peace in Jesus Christ! That would solve the problem of jihad! Listen, the best way to defeat our enemies is to turn them into our friends, and that is accomplished through prayer and blessing. Let’s begin with blessings. Let me suggest that we learn to say key words at key times that turn enemies into friends. And just what are these “magical words” we need to say? Let me give you a “blessing formula.” You should use this formula on your friends as well as your enemies. It goes something like this, “You are the best ___________ I have ever met!” For this formula to work, it has to be true and sincere. You must pick a character quality of the person you want to bless that they are good at. For example, perhaps your friend or enemy is a hard working guy, you would say, “John Doe, you are the hardest working guy I know of!” Or let’s say that he is a great family man. “John Doe, you are one of the best father’s I have ever met!” You have to keep it real and be honest. But regardless of their other flaws, pick the one that you can bless! And if you really want to bless them, don’t do it in a backhanded way, “Hey that’s great that remembered your appointment! How unusual! You have one of the worst memories around. You are blowing me away! You usually forget!” Using the back of your hand to bless someone is usually a great way to create enmity! Oh, and one other thing: pray for them. Prayer changes hearts. Send your blessing off with a wing and a prayer and it is much more likely to do its thing: bless you!

Dear Lord, change my heart so that I want to bless my enemies. Holy Spirit, change their hearts with the blessing so that they want to know and live for you. Father, I want to be a channel of blessing. It completely goes against my nature, but I know that it is the godly thing to do. Help me to incorporate key words at key times to turn my enemies into friends for Christ.

The Lord bless you; we bless you in the Lord’s name.”

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:25 AM |  1 comments  

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1 Comments:

Anonymous said...

For many months I have been dealing with issues of anger and frustration. Just as I thought I had left it all at the altar, these same feelings would all come back because of a "look" or comments certain people in church made towards myself. But by the grace of God I was released of it all last night. I had prayed all day and by the time evening service started, God gave me a word. Matthew 5:23 and so I prayed some more and finally went to those people and offered my apology. I prayed that they would accept and receive it. But I did what God asked of me, regardless of my own personal opinion. So I praise God and give Him all the glory for being our Almighty Lord. And I thank YOU for your message today. Yes, love your enemies, pray for them as you would your own child. Bless them in the name of the Lord and tell them you love them. Don't make the same mistake I made and hold on to the garbage. Set yourself free with the help of the Lord and you will grow spiritually!
God bless you.
A servant to the King of Kings.

12:08 PM

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