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Somebody needs a hug, in the Upper Room #XIII
15 years ago
General
(*snickers* It's friday, and this is the thirteenth devotion I've posted...~Wally Bear)
Walk in Love
Read 1 Corinthians 13{link)
Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.
-Ephesians 5:12 (NRSV)
I have been incarcerated since 1990, and over the years I have found myself in some difficult situations. Whenever trouble arises, applying biblical principles can bring about a peaceful resolution. One principle I have lived by throughout the duration of my incarceration is to always walk in love.
A few years ago, I had an opportunity to practice this principle when an inmate started to hassle me about my faith. His derogatory remarks about Christians continued for months. With each encounter, I responded in love, rejoiced in my persecutions (Matt. 5:11-12{link]), and prayed for him (Matt. 5:44{link]).
One day during another encounter with this inmate, I calmly interrupted him while he was speaking. I felt there was something he needed to know. "My friend," I said, "nothing you ever say to me or do to me will stop me from loving you." He stood speechless as I walked away.
A few days later he saw me in the hallway. "Jeff, I haven't slept since you told me you loved me the other day. That's exactly what Jesus would have told me. You're a real Christian. Please forgive me for the way I've treated you," he said remorsefully. I was speechless! Since then, he has never spoken another unkind word to me.
Jeff Matthews (Indiana, USA)
Prayer
Dear Father, help us to walk always in love. Amen.
Thought for the Day
No matter how difficult our situation, with God's help we can see ways to show God's love.
Prayer Focus
Those in prison and jail
Walk in Love
Read 1 Corinthians 13{link)
Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.
-Ephesians 5:12 (NRSV)
I have been incarcerated since 1990, and over the years I have found myself in some difficult situations. Whenever trouble arises, applying biblical principles can bring about a peaceful resolution. One principle I have lived by throughout the duration of my incarceration is to always walk in love.
A few years ago, I had an opportunity to practice this principle when an inmate started to hassle me about my faith. His derogatory remarks about Christians continued for months. With each encounter, I responded in love, rejoiced in my persecutions (Matt. 5:11-12{link]), and prayed for him (Matt. 5:44{link]).
One day during another encounter with this inmate, I calmly interrupted him while he was speaking. I felt there was something he needed to know. "My friend," I said, "nothing you ever say to me or do to me will stop me from loving you." He stood speechless as I walked away.
A few days later he saw me in the hallway. "Jeff, I haven't slept since you told me you loved me the other day. That's exactly what Jesus would have told me. You're a real Christian. Please forgive me for the way I've treated you," he said remorsefully. I was speechless! Since then, he has never spoken another unkind word to me.
Jeff Matthews (Indiana, USA)
Prayer
Dear Father, help us to walk always in love. Amen.
Thought for the Day
No matter how difficult our situation, with God's help we can see ways to show God's love.
Prayer Focus
Those in prison and jail
God is great, and the warm blanket of love is enough for everyone in this beautifull world.
God=love n_n
~Wally Bear
Thanks for the story!
Dominus tecum