Why the People You Dislike or who Hurt You are Not Your Enemy!

My guess is that as soon as you read the word 'enemy' in the title of this blog your mind quickly came up with a person who rubs you the wrong way.

 

Let's face it: in time everyone develops an adversary or someone that you do not get along with. You mix with that person in the same way that water and oil mix together. Everyone, in time, will get hurt by someone.

 

In our minds we quickly label that person as our adversary or enemy. The question is: are they truly your adversary or enemy?

 

Ephesians 6:12

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

 

Simply put, the person in which you are having issues with is NOT your enemy. Your enemy is Satan and the spiritual forces that are trying to narrow your attention and pass blame to that person.

 

Therefore, your spouse, children, boss, and neighbors are not your enemies. They may be used by your true enemy, Satan, to take us off course.

 

This is why it is so important to pray for the people with which you are having issues with and struggles. Jesus tells us to pray for our enemies!

 

Matthew 5:44

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.

 

Satan will NEVER change, but the people that you pray for CAN change! Your prayers may be what moves them and you to reconciliation. People are never the enemy!

 

When is the last time you prayed for a person that has hurt you or that you feel is your adversary?

 

 

How to Make 2016 the BEST Year Spiritually!

According to a recent poll:

- 45% of Americans make New Years Resolutions

- Only 8% of Americans fulfill their New Years Resolutions

- 1 in 3 Americans give up on their New Years Resolutions by January

- Although if you do make goals you are more than 10x's more likely to accomplish those goals than people who don't make goals.

 

Christians need to be resolute and committed. If you are a Christian you need to follow Christ and to be like Him. Jesus was a person of strong convictions and morals.

 

I shared this past Sunday on some ways in which YOU can make 2016 the best year spiritually! Here's How:

 

1. Make going to church a regular pattern in your life (Hebrews 10:24-25)

 

-If regular church attendance is not important to you why would it be important to your children?

(Today 7 in 10 college students who grow up in the church leave the church once they enter college).

 

-No one would say that it's ok to stop brushing your teeth! If our physical and spiritual health are important we need to develop the habit of going to church regularly.

 

2. Spend time serving in a local church body (John 12:26)

 

- When we serve we are saying that we trust God's promises more than the joys of this earth. I'd rather spend time serving people, even when it's hard, than doing what I want.

 

- Serving will bring you closer together with people in tight-knit ways. There are no friends like eternal friends.

 

- Service is not a burden but a blessing. It truly is better to give than to receive.

 

3. Read God's Word daily (Psalm 19:10)

 

- I don't think any of us will get to heaven and we will have read our Bibles too much!

 

- If you want to be a spiritual leader you must read. Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers!

 

4. Journal (Habakkuk 2:2)

 

- It will add direction to your prayer life and provide footprints for the next generation.

 

5. Be frugal this year (Proverbs 13:22)

 

- Do your best to not go into debt for things that depreciate.

 

- When you are frugal you will be able to invest yourself into what matters most. At the end of the day it's people that matter the most!

 

6. Spend time in solitude with God (Psalm 46:10)

 

- God speaks the loudest during the quietest of times!

 

When developing spiritual goals for this year make sure they are S.M.A.R.T.

S - Specific

M - Measurable

A - Attainable

R - Relevant

T - Time Bound

 

While this is not an EXHAUSTIVE list it will provide some areas of growth for you this 2016 year. What area do you need to focus on the most this year!?!