| Today's Bible Verse |
| "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."
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1 Peter 3:9 King James Version (KJV)
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| Today's Bible Study |
It has been said: Hurting people hurt people.
This means when people hurt me, they often are acting out of their own hurt. Their hurt does not, of course, give them a license to hurt me. It does, though, make their unkind behavior easier to understand.
We must not allow people’s bad treatment of us make us bitter, hateful people.
Consider the story of Joseph in Genesis 37. As a young man, Joseph was sold by his own brothers into slavery.
Those brothers were angry. They didn’t receive from their father the special treatment Joseph enjoyed. In addition, Joseph claimed he had dreams that foretold greatness for him. He suggested that his brothers would one day serve him.
Those words hurt the brothers.
When Jacob’s brothers sold him, they were hurting men hurting Joseph.
Joseph was certainly a hurting man too. But Joseph chose forgiveness over retaliation. He was one hurting person who chose not to hurt in return.
You and I are hurting people living hectic, frenzied lives among other hurting people. Sometimes we get bumped. We hurt. But we must not choose to hurt people because we ourselves are hurting.
We must be like Joseph and choose love and forgiveness over retaliation.
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| Today's Prayer |
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| Lord, this is a hard lesson. Help me remember the example of Jesus, who suffered but responded with love and forgiveness, not retaliation. Amen.
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| Yesterday's Bible
Verse |
| "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."
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James 1:12 King James Version (KJV)
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| Yesterday's Bible
Study |
Not long ago, I sat down to re-watch a great movie, Mr. Holland’s Opus. This movie chronicles the 30-year career of a high school music teacher. It demonstrates how this teacher’s daily interaction with his students had a positive influence on many lives.
At one point, however, Mr. Holland, frustrated with a less-than-perfect marriage, a downright miserable relationship with his son, and the tedium of dealing daily with uncooperative teenagers, faces temptation. A beautiful and talented senior suggests that Mr. Holland leave his family and run off with her to New York, where they can pursue music careers together.
Since I had seen the movie before, I knew how Mr. Holland responded, but I remember the anxiety I felt for the character when I watched the movie the first time.
“Don’t do it!” my mind shouted. “Stay where you belong. Do the right thing.”
My father-in-law said, “Some decisions should have to be made only once.”
Over 40 years ago, I decided to make Dan my lifetime partner. That is not a decision I have to reconsider and re-make on a weekly or daily basis. I am not a perfect wife, but I am Dan’s wife for life. Even before that, I decided to follow Jesus and do my best to live for Him. Decided. Done. I don’t follow him flawlessly, but my resolve to be faithful to him does not waver.
You have made commitments to your spouse, your children, your friends, your employer, and hopefully, your Savior. Be faithful to those commitments. When Satan tempts you to rethink those decisions, please don’t do it.
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| Yesterday's Prayer |
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| Lord, ever faithful One, please keep me on the right pathway. Don’t let me turn to the right or to the left. I have claimed You as my Savior for life. Amen.
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