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\ / WHAT JESUS DID! -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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Monday, February 23, 2009
Reconcile!
"If your enemy is taking you to court, then become friends
with him quickly. You should do that before you go to court.
If you don't become his friend, then he might give you to the
judge. And the judge might give you to a guard to put you in
jail. And I tell you that you will not leave that jail until
you have paid everything you owe."
-- Matthew 5:25-26 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
As Jesus helps us to better understand God's intent, character, and
will revealed in the Law, he also shines the light of truth into all
the corners we so often try to keep hidden from him. Jesus moves from
our human sense of worship into matters of everyday life with his
radical call for reconciliation with our enemies. He wants us to
reconcile quickly before we get into legal proceedings with them,
otherwise matters can escalate out of control and damage us as well as
our influence. Jesus emphasizes the urgency of making things right.
Second, as God's human children, we have always found it easy to
falsely segment our lives into sacred and secular compartments, to make
worship a weekly event rather than an everyday lifestyle. To keep us
from thinking that reconciliation is only a "church rule" and not a
"life rule," Jesus reminds us that reconciliation involves all of life,
not just the "religious part." Jesus is serious about forgiveness,
mercy, and reconciliation as the way of God and the lifestyle of his
children.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Almighty God, please forgive me for segmenting my life into little
pieces and not allowing your character and will to transform me through
and through. I want you to rule over every part of my life, especially
my relationships. I want to walk in harmony with my brothers and
sisters and in cordial concern with those who are not part of your
kingdom. Empower me to forgive and release my grievance before
embarrassing my Kingdom Family or causing division in your people. In
the name of the Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.
>> NEW: Phil's What Jesus Did devotional is now
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>> The WJD! web page has related scriptures and the
>> full text of today's key passage. Read it at:
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/matthew/0223-wjd.html
>> For further study of today's passage, use our
>> online Bible study site: SearchGodsWord.org!
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Matthew+5:25-26&sr=1&t=erv
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