JANUARY 28

PROVERBS 25:21-22

HOW TO TREAT YOUR ENEMIES

Joanne was almost in tears when she came home from school. "Mom. I really cannot stand Jia Jia. She is really wicked. Grrrrr! I feel like strangling her. I don’t want to be her friend anymore."

"Well, my young lady, what is happening to Christian love that you learn at church? ", asked her mother.

"But Mom, you should see what she did to me! When nobody was looking,she would pull my hair. Then she would pretend to look away.Today, she drew a big red cross on my journal notebook. Yesterday, she hid my pencil box behind the cupboard. Yi Min found it there. At P.E. she would kick my water bottle under the bushes."

" That is really mean. Does she do that to others in the class?"
"She used to but when they avoided her, she became very nice to them. Do you think I should start ignoring her? "
"Let’s see. What did Jesus do with those people who crucified Him? He prayed to His Heavenly Father to forgive them. What did he do to those who hated Him?"
"Ok Mommy. I got it. Do good to them that hate you. I will try. Can you pray for me too?"
"Sure Joanne. Let us pray."

From then on, Joanne heeded her mother’s advice. Whenever she could, she would help her with homework. On Jia Jia’s birthday, she gave her a beautiful hairpin for her lovely hair. Eventually, Jia Jia stopped her mean behaviour toward Joanne because she felt bad, and later went to Sunday school with her.

Complete the sentences to nd out what Jesus will want you to do:
1. When your enemy is hungry, give him ____________________
2. When your enemy is thirsty, give him ____________________

Thought: God wants us to be kind and good, even to our enemies.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to remember how You loved and died for me when I was still Your enemy. It is difficult to love mean people around me, but I want to be like You. So, help me. Lord. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.