Faith Food Daily Devotional: Friday, 3^rd May, 2013

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

By Pam Ford Davis

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be sons of your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:43-45a N.I.V)."

Actors portrayed "neighbors" as friends in most television sitcoms of the 1950's. Could we keep track of how many times Ethel came through the door of Lucy? The two were inseparable; they did not need a special reason to be together. Friendship bound the neighbors together through times of celebration or heated conflicts.
Neighbors can be your worst enemies. Feuds over boundary lines have placed neighbor against neighbor, resulting in feelings of bitterness and revenge. Such relationships put families in deep freeze with little concern about reconciliation.
"Won't you be my neighbor"? The welcome mat begins in our hardened hearts. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be sons of your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:43-45a NIV)."
We once knew a man, who murdered another man, during a violent argument over property. He encountered God in jail and became a new creation in Christ Jesus! He answered the call to full time ministry as pastor, and now serves as prison chaplain in a big Florida correctional facility. God transformed a heart from hate to love and service.

"Won't you be my neighbor"?

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When facing a conflict, the first and most important thing to remember is this: Be Spirit-controlled, not out of control. Alexander Strauch

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With God all things are possible! Published articles in Mature Living Magazine, Secret Place, Daily Devotionals for the Deaf, Light from the Word Daily Devotional. Available now in book store: FORGET-ME-NOT DAILY DEVOTIONAL http:/ebooks.faithwriters.com/ebook-details.php?id=520

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS