Thought of the Day !!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

                               Ephesians 6:10-12 (TNIV)

If you can remember who it is that you're fighting against, it will be easier to love people.  When there is someone who is continually ugly to you and seems to be just trying to make your life miserable…or when you come across someone who cares nothing for you except when you are on her/his side of things...don't hate them.  Feel sorry for them, knowing that the devil is working through them in most cases.

If a person is a continually mean-spirited person, then the devil has convinced them to be that way.  If a person always thinks about themselves and never about you or others, then the devil has used pride and selfishness to tempt him/her just like he did Adam and Eve.  

We all have to make choices.  And those out there that you may wish to get mad at because of the way they treat you or someone else are the ones who've made a bad choice.  Don't hate them.  Hate their sin.  Or more precisely, hate the evil that is at work in their lives tempting them to sin.

Then remember that this evil is at work in your own life as well.  The devil did not leave you alone when you became a Christian.  Every time you begin to get closer to God, the devil tries harder to come between you and God through the temptation for you to sin in some form or fashion.  

Paul writes to put on the full armor of God to protect yourself against what the devil throws at you.  Know that you are struggling with the devil every day.  And so is everyone around you.  So remember that you have choices to make daily.  You can put on Christ and fight against the evil forces at work against you.  Or you can give in.  

Sometimes you will choose wisely and at other times you won't.  Pray for those times that you don't.  Pray that God will forgive and that they won't lead you away from God, and that they won't lead others away either.  

In the love of Christ,

greg