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strengthens
Have you been hurt by someone and Peter. And then He gave Peter the Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now
wished the same kind of pain back on opportunity three times to affirm his love for live like it. Live out your God-created
them? You know what I am talking about . . Jesus. Jesus even redeemed Peter and identity. Live generously and graciously
. “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a promoted him to a leader. Peter betrayed toward others, the way God lives toward
tooth!” We get our hearts broken or we get Jesus and yet, Jesus forgave and loved you.” (MSG)
so angry that we feel like we could trash an Peter. Can you imagine that kind of
entire house. I think we have all been in forgiveness and love? Jesus wants us to love the way He
that kind of place a time or two in our lives. loves. Why? Because that is how we
We can get so wrapped up in our emotions In Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus tells us how to serve and advance the Kingdom of God.
and wanting them to feel pain, that we find love our enemies. That is how we become more Christ-
ourselves locked inside our own prison. It like. There is no greater act of showing
can consume our thoughts, modify our “You’re familiar with the old written law, love than praying for, forgiving, and
behavior, and harden our hearts. ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten loving those who have hurt us - even if it
companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m must be done from afar. That is the kind
that stretches you and strengthens you. It is the enemies. Let them bring out the best in Lord. That is the kind of love that will
of love that brings glory and honor to the
challenging that. I’m telling you to love your
There is a kind of love out there that
strengthen us.
you, not the worst. When someone gives
kind of love that brings you peace and is
the kind of love that will unlock the door to
you a hard time, respond with the supple
moves of prayer, for then you are working
that prison cell. It is loving those that have
Jessica Wall
hurt you. Seems like the most difficult feat
on the planet, right? But isn’t that how
selves. This is what God does. He gives his
best—the sun to warm and the rain to
Jesus loved people? Jesus told Peter that out of your true selves, your God-created www.One80Love.com
Love but he did. Let us be honest here, Peter love the lovable, do you expect a bonus?
nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good
he would deny him three times. Peter
insisted he would never do that to Jesus,
and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is
Anybody can do that. If you simply say
was not the kindest person on the last night
of Jesus’ life on earth. He was prideful,
hello to those who greet you, do you
boastful, and lacked humility. Yet, Jesus
expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner
still forgave
does that. In a word, what I’m saying is,
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