Luke 9:51-56
The Blasted Unbelievers…Have you ever thought that? Okay now…be honest. I’m about to be gut wrenching honest with you…
In reading up to this point…I am reminded of the incredible love the Father has for His children. Over and over. A picture came instantly to my mind when I read these passages. A day when I was very angry—and not without cause. Cause or not though, it was sin. In it’s ugliest form. And I had to repent—and remember that Christ instructed us to LOVE them. Pray for them. (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28)
The Lord had me know with no uncertain terms what allowing that feeling to remain—not dealing with those harmful thoughts—what it would do to my heart, soul and very life. What it was already doing. Bitter root was growing. Festering and contaminating other parts of my life.
I was even like James and John….“Lord, call down fire!” That was wrong!
I imediately knew it–and repented of my attitude–and I had to pray for days for the Lord to help me PRAY for them in the right way.
What I see in James and John was something like this: “They can’t refuse You and get away with it! Surely they all need to be destroyed!”…Little did they realize the thousands that would then and still now refuse to acknowledge Jesus Christ as the true and only Messiah.
Something that I read in the Scripture references today really penetrated my heart, causing tears to burn my eyes.
I pulled forward the New Living Translation and read it from there…”As the time drew near for his return to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” (emphasis mine)
He knew what lay ahead. Yet for all the world He proceeded on the journey He knew must be made. For those He loved that day, and for the world that lives today. He could not let anything, nor anyone deter His footsteps. The path had long ago been laid out.
It is for us as well. Laid out and marked clear. We have been told–even in the scriptures today, there will be trials. There will be days of discouragement. Times when we will even ask, “How much longer Lord?” But, travel on we must. For the time is not yet. Soon though.
Father God, I am so thankful that You continually speak to our hearts about the wrong that tries to penetrate and stay. Thank You for sweeping my mind clean of the unhealthy thoughts. Thank You for showing us how to love those who set their mind against what is right. Hard as it is at times, surely You have shown us the way. Thank You Lord for giving us strength and direction . I pray that You will guide us and keep us—forever following the right way. Your way. In Jesus holy name I pray~Amen.
Keeping the Faith,
Angie
Jeff & Angie 