Key Thought

"I have my Father's eyes," Amy Grant sang years and years ago. While that may be good, God wants us to have his heart as well. With other things taught us in the New Testament, we know that we are not to enable people to be irresponsible. However, most of us don't have that problem. Most humans have a tight clutch on what they feel they have earned and are skeptical of sharing any of that with those who might not be grateful or might want to take advantage of them. God, however, is not only rich in goods and power, he is also rich in mercy, kindness, and grace. He asks us to be the same, and our Father even promises to help us have the power to love in this way through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). So let's be open to being generous, gracious, and merciful! If we are, we'll have our Father's heart.

Today's Prayer

Today's Verses in Context

"I say to you people that are listening to me, love your enemies. Do good to those people that hate you. Ask God to bless those people that say bad things to you. Pray for those people that are mean to you. If a person hits you on the side of your face, let him hit the other side too. If a person takes your coat, don't stop him from taking your shirt too. Give to every person that asks you. When a person takes something that is yours, don't ask for it back. Do for other people what you want them to do for you. "If you love only those people that love you, should you get some special praise for doing that? No! Even sinners love the people that love them! If you do good only to those people that do good to you, should you get some special praise for doing that? No! Even sinners do that! If you loan things to people, always expecting to get something back, should you get some special praise for that? No! Even sinners lend to other sinners so that they can get back the same amount! "I'm telling you to love your enemies and do good to them. Lend to people without expecting to get anything back. If you do these things, you will have a great reward. You will be children of the Most High (God). Yes, because God is good even to the people that are full of sin and not thankful. Give love and mercy the same as your Father gives love and mercy.

— Luke 6:27-36 (ERV)

Comments on "Be Like Your Father":

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