When my older girls were younger, they went through a phase where they used to argue continuously. They went from loving best friends to competitive rivals. This grieved me so much because I didn’t want to see them hurt each other. Their behavior was unacceptable. I went through many forms of discipline. I prayed against the spirit of competition, sibling rivalry, jealousy, anger, rage, and anything else that I thought was the root of this new behavior. Nothing seemed to work. Then someone gave me a brilliant idea. Instead of separating them when arguing, make them stay with each other. Next time they argued, I made them stand together hugging each other until I told them they could let go. The first time I did this, it worked almost immediately. They thought it was so crazy that once they got over the disgust of the initial hug, they couldn’t stop giggling and whispering. I would make them stay that way extra long because it caused them to bond. Sometimes, I would make them sit next to one another holding hands. I would tell them that because they are sisters close in age that they should be best friends and a friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17) . The truth is sometimes the best way to see results in our lives is through choosing to love. I was making them be close to one another, but they already loved each other, they were just not choosing to use it. Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8).
1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV)
8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
When we see through the eyes of love, we can look past people’s flaws and begin to see them with the eyes of God. The greatest weapon that we can teach our children to use is love!
Luke 6:27-38(NKJV)
Love Your Enemies
27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.29 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. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
God promises a great reward when we choose to use love. Of course we teach our children healthy boundaries and guarding their hearts and minds. Love sometimes just means prayer. Love sometimes means not responding to evil with evil. Love is choosing to show mercy when someone doesn’t deserve it. God gives us many gifts, many promises, and many weapons, but the greatest of these is love. If we can successfully teach the next generation the biblical standard of love, then they will be the generation to establish not only God’s love, but His kingdom on earth. Let’s lead by example. Let’s find opportunities to choose love today!
Father we thank You for Your unfailing love. We thank You that You love us even when we turn away and forget that You loved us first. Forgive us for not using love in every situation. Forgive us for abusing Your love and responding to situations with our flesh that sometimes brings anger and hate. Show us the areas in our lives where we need to be perfected in Your love. Help us teach/show our children to love at all times, even when it seems hard. We love you Lord. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV)
8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
When we see through the eyes of love, we can look past people’s flaws and begin to see them with the eyes of God. The greatest weapon that we can teach our children to use is love!
Luke 6:27-38(NKJV)
Love Your Enemies
27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.29 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. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
God promises a great reward when we choose to use love. Of course we teach our children healthy boundaries and guarding their hearts and minds. Love sometimes just means prayer. Love sometimes means not responding to evil with evil. Love is choosing to show mercy when someone doesn’t deserve it. God gives us many gifts, many promises, and many weapons, but the greatest of these is love. If we can successfully teach the next generation the biblical standard of love, then they will be the generation to establish not only God’s love, but His kingdom on earth. Let’s lead by example. Let’s find opportunities to choose love today!
Father we thank You for Your unfailing love. We thank You that You love us even when we turn away and forget that You loved us first. Forgive us for not using love in every situation. Forgive us for abusing Your love and responding to situations with our flesh that sometimes brings anger and hate. Show us the areas in our lives where we need to be perfected in Your love. Help us teach/show our children to love at all times, even when it seems hard. We love you Lord. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
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