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This may sound strange, but for most of my life, I had no idea what a real enemy was like, although in the past year I have been overwhelmed by an enemy. A person consumed with jealousy and discontentment has made it a personal mission to take it out on me. Rumours and gossip abound. Tears flood my pillows. All I can do is hold on to Jesus. He knows the truth and gives me strength to overcome each day.
Micah 7:18 – Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. (NIV)
The nation of Israel also had enemies. Men lay in wait to shed blood. Rulers demanded gifts. Evil was skilfully crafted. No one could trust a neighbour. Families dishonoured each other. I can't imagine how horrible that must have been, but I am grateful for Micah's words, "But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me." (Micah 7:7 NIV)
So that is what I hold on to at the end of every day — that God will hear me.
He will, and He does. He also calls me to "put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Colossians 3:12-13 ESV)
He also asks that I should "be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6:36 ESV)
Today, I am just sticking to the Scriptures and trying to live out what it says, because it's the only way to overcome the enemy.
James 2:12-13 – So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (ESV)
Proverbs 11:17 – A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself. (NIV)
Therefore, I am making it my personal mission to be kind. For my enemy, I desire to pray for success, peace of mind, good health, truth, and forgiveness. When I was a child, I attended a girls' club at our church, and every week, we were asked, "What does the Lord require of you?" and together, we girls would repeat words taken from Micah 6:8 — "To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God."
Today, I'm going to delight in showing mercy.
Let's pray: Merciful God, thank You for forgiving us and for loving us always. Help us to love our enemies and to show them mercy and compassion. Lord, we ask that we can be patient as we wait for You to live, work, and move in our life. Help us to be humble as we delight to show mercy. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
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Thursday, April 18, 2024 – In East Asia — Pray for more partners who become trainers in our house church planting network in East Asia. We are asking God for around ten of these trainers for each district in our region. May the Lord grant them courage in their next step of faith.
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Peace be with you.
Thank you for your words of inspiration.
Thanks for sharing Karen. Keep trusting.
Karen, love your attitude. So does God.
Dear Karen-so sorry for those personal attacks…not justified or right in any way…am praying.
Praying for this situation that God will favorably answer your prayers for this person and yourself. Blessings.
Dear Karen,
Many of us will add our prayers to yours today to give you the strength to love your enemy as God has asked us today and God in his time will answer our prayers. May you have peace today and stay in the Word.
Thank you, Karen, for sharing your struggle regarding dealing with gossip attacks. Now you will have Christians all over the globe praying that all will be well with you soon.
Blessings.
Karen,
Life is not always fair, but it sounds to me like you are well equipped to meet and conquer your situation! Prayers for your peace are being offered.
(Texas, USA)
Thank you sister in Christ for the words of affirmation. They spoke to my heart. I have been forgiven and I must always forgive. It is not easy but the verses you gave us today, helped me stay on track. Be strong and of good courage.
(Ontario, Canada)
Hello Karen,
Yes, it hurts us deeply when someone causes us trouble but continue to show mercy, keep God’s word in front of you and He will guide you and heal you this
situation..
(On Canada)
Hi Karen,
A friend passed this excellent devotion on to me and I plan to share it with Writers’ Nest as I know the members will be praying, as I am. I am so sorry that you’ve been going through such a rough time, but thankful for the grace God is giving in the middle of it all. Blessings and love
Karen
Praying with, and for you.
May God’s peace abound within you always, and fill the heart and spirit of your enemy.
Thank you for a good reminder of God’s love.
Good morning and Blessings from Canada.
Thank you for your Devotional! It comes from your heart, and it is
wonderful!
Here is a blessing you can share with friends, and which your “enemy” will never understand! It is “Pax Vobiscum” . It is Latin, and translates Peace be unto you or Peace be with you! You can also share the response “Et tu spiritum” which translates “and with your Spirit”.
Dear Karen, thanks so much for sharing this hardship, now we can join you in prayer on this matter. The devil especially opposes us when we are doing something great for the Lord, which indeed you are doing. People, as you know get caught in his trap and he uses them against us, seeking to turn us from our purpose and defeat us. May God richly bless you with his strength, courage, emotional poise and dignity, grace, discernment, wisdom and mercy amidst this struggle, not against flesh and blood but against spirits and principalities.
Keep on keeping on in Him.
Blessings.
Dear Karen,
I was up in the NW. at Ringili near Arua for a time. Life is real spiritual warfare and if he can, the Evil One will rob us of our God given peace, given the sneakiest of opportunities. So well done you for not letting other’s evil intent bring you down.
A quick prayer:
LORD, I lift Karen up to You today and ask that You show her wisdom and grant her inner peace that comes from the Holy Spirit abiding in us. We ask that you be a shield and a fortress against the attacks of those in the thrawl of Evil, intent on doing her harm. May Your faour on her life show the difference and make it plain for all to see that You are a God who lifts up the downcast and puts them in the palm of Your hand, in Jesus’ name, amen.
blessings.
Dear Karen,
Since you are in Uganda, I’m assuming you are there as a missionary or teacher. I know, it’s not good to assume, but it would help me as I pray for you to have an idea of what you are doing in your life.
So, the devil is down there hard at work as he is here. I just want you to know that I will be praying for you, and praying for the one who the devil is using to ruin your reputation. But he seems to forget that God is in control and His plans will be made known in His time. It sounds to me like that’s exactly what you are doing, patiently waiting, and that’s not easy for us to understand.
May the Lord richly bless you in many special and surprising ways.
(Ca.)
Dear Sister Karen,
You indeed are walking on solid ground as you hold onto your Saviour for strength. May you know you live in His presence as you seek to show mercy in the face of such opposition. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” – Jesus, Matt 5:11-12. I pray for you, and that you will sense His strength and love that will be your constant companions as you seek to return good for evil. And I pray that His love will break through into the other person’s heart.
God bless and keep you.
(BC, Canada)
Dear Karen,
There are many Biblical words of advice. Like a kind words turns away wrath.
But also you must protect yourself from this person and be surrounded by kind people.
Put on the gospel armour and pray for thanksgiving every time in some part of your life. It could always be worse.
To do this you need to set limits on how much exposure you allow yourself to this activity of the other who is trying to harm you.
We cannot control others but we can step back from constant exposure to them.
I notice that many who are hurt by others simply say nothing and move on. Letting the words of the other stand alone to echo back to themselves. If they cannot upset you then they will find all this harmful energy worthless.
So silence can be a gospel gospel armour.
Step back and be patience and look to God for your comfort.
Set you eyes on Him.
(Canada)
Dear Karen:
It may not be resolved quickly. I have been terrorized for 10 years by a jealous woman and her sons.
Pray for strength to hang on. People suggest I move but stalkers only follow. I will pray for you too.
Blessings.
Karen, my heart goes out to you. May our loving and merciful God show Himself faithful to you through this time of trial, bringing the maligner to repentance and healing and restoration to your relationships within the community. You are not alone in being falsely accused, and no doubt your devotional will be an encouragement and a model for someone — perhaps several brothers and sisters — who read your devotional.
Dear Karen Lubbers,
Thanks so much for your devotional today.
I too have struggled with false accusation (though those who have made them, and seemingly hold to them, might think they have the truth); so I find your thoughts and chosen verses helpful.
God knows all; God sees all.
A WORD from God’s mouth has always been enough!.
Keep writing.