Today's Verse: Luke 6:27

Wednesday, May 11, 1949

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you..."
— Luke 6:27
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus was the perfect example of this command in his life and death (Luke 23:24). Love that leads us to forgive has redemptive, life-changing power. While not everyone responds to such grace, many do. While being kind in our deeds and loving in our hearts to our enemies is not easy, God's Spirit can fill us with Jesus' love and help us live powerful lives of grace even in the presence of those who hate us (Romans 5:5). As we do, the Spirit transforms us to become more like Jesus and less and less like our old self-protective selves (2 Corinthians 3:18). As the history of Christianity shows, this miracle of this kind of love can change the lives of those who consider us enemies and bring them to God.

My Prayer...

Dear God, I confess that I have trouble with a few people in my life. They seem determined to criticize, undermine, belittle, defeat, and destroy me. Please give me the love to resist their attacks. Please empower me to respond to their actions in ways that are redemptive, righteous, and loving. Do this seemingly impossible work in my heart so that my obedience to Jesus' command can lead others to my Savior's grace. In the redeeming and mighty name of Jesus, I ask the Holy Spirit to help fill me with your love and demonstrate this grace to others. Amen.

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, May 11, 1949

A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
"The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the Lord, search all hearts and...."
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
"[Peter, on Pentecost, quoting from Joel 2:] "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your..."
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Beloved Child of God, I love Peter's statement about the apostle Paul's writings:And remember, our Lord's patience gives people time to be..."
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
"[Jesus continued his warning and instructions to the apostles when he sent them out:] "If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not...."

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 6:27 — "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.