Today's Verse: Luke 6:27

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

We're Short of Our Goal...Will You Help?

Your support is truly needed. Even small donations makes a big difference!

 Donate Now
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you..."
— Luke 6:27
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus was the perfect example of this command in his life and death (Luke 23:24). Love that leads us to forgive has redemptive, life-changing power. While not everyone responds to such grace, many do. While being kind in our deeds and loving in our hearts to our enemies is not easy, God's Spirit can fill us with Jesus' love and help us live powerful lives of grace even in the presence of those who hate us (Romans 5:5). As we do, the Spirit transforms us to become more like Jesus and less and less like our old self-protective selves (2 Corinthians 3:18). As the history of Christianity shows, this miracle of this kind of love can change the lives of those who consider us enemies and bring them to God.

My Prayer...

Dear God, I confess that I have trouble with a few people in my life. They seem determined to criticize, undermine, belittle, defeat, and destroy me. Please give me the love to resist their attacks. Please empower me to respond to their actions in ways that are redemptive, righteous, and loving. Do this seemingly impossible work in my heart so that my obedience to Jesus' command can lead others to my Savior's grace. In the redeeming and mighty name of Jesus, I ask the Holy Spirit to help fill me with your love and demonstrate this grace to others. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

What to Do with Enemies?
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[Jesus began teaching on our interactions with others:] "But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate..."
Natural Enemies
Illustration of Luke 6:27
Inspirational illustration of Luke 6:27 -- "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you..."
Hear the Echo?
Article by Larry Davies
What will people hear from you? We create echoes by our life, so what kind of echo will you hear from the people around you?
Building a Culture of Honor: Prayer
Article by Phil Ware
Prayer changes something much more important than our circumstances! Phil Ware continues his series on building a culture of honor focusing this week on prayer, especially prayer as a redemptive tool of offering forgiveness and blessing to those who are our enemies and who mistreat us.
See All 5 Related Resources about Luke 6:27

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 6:27 — "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you..."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'The Song of Moses and the Lamb' (Re. 15:3)
"[They] sang the song of God's servant Moses and of the Lamb: "Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Teacher or Lord?'
"While [Jesus and the Twelve] were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me." Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn,...."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Generous Giving Brings Good Results' (2 Co. 9:12)
"So two good things will result from this ministry of giving — the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: 3 John 3
"The truth was in Gaius, and Gaius walked in the truth. If the first had not been the case, the second could never have occurred; and if the second..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse