Romans 12:20-21 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Between the years 1861-1865 the United States found itself in the midst of a bitter civil war over the issue of slavery, and several other serious disagreements. By the time the North won the war nearly 620,000 soldiers had perished. There were many in the North who were so embittered that the South had dragged them into such a deadly conflict that they wanted the South to pay dearly.
At the end of the war, a group of Southerners gained an audience with President Abraham Lincoln. His gentle, kind and friendly personality quickly softened the hearts of his once-hardened foes and the Southerners left the interview with a deep respect for the man who had been their bitter enemy. Not long afterward, a northern congressman criticized Lincoln for “befriending the enemy!” He suggested that he should have had them shot for being traitors instead of welcoming them!
I love Lincoln’s response. He said, simply , “Am I not destroying my enemies by making them my friends?”
If you’re serving the Lord –- you can expect your share of enemies. Don’t let a root of bitterness grow up because of them –- but rather, seek to win them over with gentleness, kindness, and even love. Show your enemies the Lord’s grace and His peace through your Spirit-controlled response…and in so doing, you’ll “heap coals” upon their heads! Satan wants to provoke you through their hatred and opposition. Don’t let him! Instead, shock your enemies –- not with angry retaliation…but with Spirit empowered LOVE! Win them over; with so much work to be done, we need all the help we can get.
This touched my heart, as my husband is going through quite an ordeal as we speak. He is City Adminstrator, and the police chief wants nothing to do with my husb. The Chief is a Mormon, and I do believe this is one reason why Satan is attacking. Please pray if you feel led.
Thank you,
Sandy
please pray for me and my husband we are priest and we are starting a ministry and since we have been here we have had alot of people tryn to keep mess going ,i know it is the devil work. i know when god is going to bless u because the devil wants to attack.,i also would like praqyer beacause i want a , baby and i would like for god to bless me with a baby in april 2012 a newborn baby infant a boy right from the hostpital. i was promised one from somebody i hope she stick to her word.
I liked your Devotional.So very true.
wow brother that hit one between the eyes right there!!! I agree with that 100%
Am I not destroying my enemies by making them my friends
Thank you for the daily devotions. I have been blessed many times with your thoughts over the years. From an historical standpoint, please review the history of the Civil War to which you make reference. Lincoln repeatedly violated the Constitution which he was supposedly seeking to preserve and his generals with his approval committed what would a half century later be condemned as war crimes. He repeatedly refused opportunities to end the war sooner and demanded unconditional surrender from his own countrymen. He was not a gracious, benevolent leader. His profile fits that of a despot. History today is being similarly rewritten to fit a narrative. Nonetheless, I love you messages. God bless you and your family.