GOD Morning! April 17 Boot Camp Day 41 / Letting Go

GOD Morning!  April 17

Boot Camp Day 41
Letting Go

Luke 6:27-49 AMP

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear [Me and pay attention to My words]: Love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, [make it a practice to] do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless and show kindness to those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.²⁹ Whoever strikes you on the cheek, offer him the other one also [simply ignore insignificant insults or losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity]. Whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks of you. Whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. ³¹ Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. ³² If you [only] love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. ³³ If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ If you lend [money] to those from whom you expect to receive [it back], what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to receive back the same amount. ³⁵ But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; for your reward will be great (rich, abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High; because He Himself is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and the wicked. ³⁶ Be merciful (responsive, compassionate, tender) just as your [heavenly] Father is merciful.

³⁷ “Do not judge [others self-righteously], and you will not be judged; do not condemn [others when you are guilty and unrepentant], and you will not be condemned [for your hypocrisy];pardon [others when they truly repent and change], and you will be pardoned [when you truly repent and change]. ³⁸ Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.”

I went to bed at 9, intending to rise at 4 and woke up two hours later. Sweating like a pig under only a sheet and a light comforter. Now I'm wide awake!

I have junk on my mind tonight.

1. My all time absolute favorite worship leader/song writer has completely lost his mind. I have taught, played and sung dozens of his songs over the years. His music has blessed churches all over the world. I had even hoped that one day I could meet him. I was hoping to attend one of his yearly worship conferences. I am devastated.

2. A family that I love has severed ties with Scott and me.  I am incredibly saddened. We have been nothing but kind to this family. We had looked forward to years of friendship. We have laughed together, worshiped together and served together. POOF! Gone. 

3. A friend and mentor has been hurt and treated poorly for the cause of Jesus Christ. Shocking and devastating to him and his family.

After tossing and turning, I give up trying to sleep. God leads me straight to this beautiful passage.

What is the answer to all of this sorrow? ALL that I need to know is right here.

Love your enemies.

Show kindness to those who curse you.

Whoever strikes your cheek, offer him the other one.

Don’t bother to retaliate.

Ignore insults and losses.

Maintain your dignity.

Whoever takes away your coat, give him your shirt as well.

Treat others the way you want to be treated.

What’s the point of loving only those who love you?

Unselfishly seek the best for your enemies.

Lend and expect nothing in return.

Your reward will be rich and abundant.

You will be sons of the most High, because He is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and wicked.

Be merciful. He is merciful.

Do not judge others self righteously.

Do not condemn others.

Pardon others.

Give, and it will be given unto you in return.

I am IN SHOCK right now. God is giving me a specific word for all three of these painful situations. How does He do this so perfectly?

He’s telling me through His beautiful Word to let go!.

I am letting go and letting God do His perfect work in my heart in the midst of all of this.

And I’m loving these folks and praying for them.

“Oh God! Please draw all of these folks that are on my mind tonight into complete forgiveness and renewal of their minds and hearts. Draw the sinner into complete repentance and restoration. Draw the hurting one into complete healing and forgiveness. Help me to love like You love! Help me to continue to forgive folks who hurt me and say unkind things to me and about me! How I love You, my Supreme Example of Perfect Love. I want to love like You love. Thank You! You are worthy of my highest praise, dear Jesus. AMEN.”