Love is a truly divine choice.

Matthew 5:9  (NIV)

Blessed are the peacemakers,

    for they will be called children of God.

Peace in a world constantly at war is very trying.

Encouraging cooperation in schools where students compete is quite difficult, but not impossible. It all depends on the teacher's focus. Those who come through and promote cooperation and peace with subliminal success are the ones who never give up, the ones who have a heart after our Heavenly Father who urges us to live in peace and cooperation. It's then that we are truly part of God's family.

Who in their right mind would prefer to promote competition and fighting within their own families? This would be insane; still many do so, and they are the ones who end up fed up with life. There is a much better way: promoting peace and cooperation, creating a heavenly atmosphere, so that everyone can enjoy what we were meant to be: A Godly family that will secure eternal rewards. It all depends upon where our priorities lay.

A French journalist decided to see for himself how Jews were treated in Paris. He disguised himself as a Jew, with fringes and a kippa. A bodyguard was nearby, as well as a camera man who had his camera hidden in his backpack. Deep down, this journalist was scared. As he went through a neighborhood where women's heads were covered with veils, most people were shocked to see him walking in their midst. Some avoided him, others looked at him with contempt, others were scared. One little boy exclaimed: "Why is he here? Doesn't he know he will be killed here?" A nearby merchant cried out: "You should be ashamed! What are you doing here wearing a kippa?"

Herein lays the danger of coming to hasty conclusions: "All of these people are filled with hatred! They should be exterminated!" Doing so would put us at the same level of those promoting hatred.

Nonetheless, many in such neighborhoods would do anything to promote peace and cooperation, saving those who many consider their enemies.

In January 2015, a kosher grocery market was taken over by terrorists. Upon hearing the commotion and gunfire, one Muslim employee turned off the stockroom freezer and hid several Jews inside. His quick thinking saved the lives of these Jews, and they were quite grateful to him.

In the same terrorist attack, four Jews found themselves right in the middle of where the action occurred. They were unable to hide, and they were shot. One immigrant from Morocco said he sure will miss his Jewish friend. With sadness he stated: "I am Muslim and my friend who is dead was Jewish. There was such respect between us. We were like brothers!"

We can all live in peace. It all depends upon where our priorities lay. It depends on our reality: love or hatred. Love is truly the divine choice.

Dear Lord, help our reality be of love rather than hatred.  Help us share Your love today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

God Will Protect

Revelation 21:4 (NIV)

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Following is a true story that I read. More details aren't given because of security reasons.

Rehna Sultana (name is not real) was a Moslem student. One day, she read a Christian tract in her dormitory, and accepted Jesus as her personal savior and became a Christian. Her father was an Islamic ruler, so she expected to lose her inheritance because of her conversion.

She was completely unprepared for what really happened: when she told her family that she had become a Christian and changed her name to Faith (not real name), her father exploded in rage. Her father and brothers stripped her naked and bound her to a chair fixed to a metal plate with which they wanted to electrocute her. Faith asked them to at least lay a Bible in her lap. Her father responded "If you want to die together with your false religion, so be it."

One of her brothers added "That will show that your religion is powerless." Although they had bound her, she was able to touch a corner of the Bible. She felt a strange peace, as though someone were standing beside her. Her father and brothers pushed the plug into the socket - and nothing happened. They tried four times with various cables, but it was as though the electricity refused to flow.

Finally, her father, angry and frustrated, hit her and screamed "You are no longer my daughter." Then he threw his daughter out into the street, naked. She ran through the streets, humiliated and in pain. Shaking and tearful, she ran to a friend. People looked at her, curious rather than shocked.

Her friend let her in, clothed her and gave her shelter. The next day, her friend asked neighbors what they had thought when they had seen Faith running naked through the streets.

"What are you talking about?" They asked. "The girl had a wonderful white dress on. We asked ourselves why someone so beautifully clothed had to run through the streets."

God had hidden her nakedness from their eyes, clothing her in a beautiful white dress; our God is an amazing God. Today, Faith is a full-time evangelist sharing the good news of the Gospel to those around her.

How strong is your faith and love for God?

Dear Lord, help our faith be strong today. Help us to stand strong when the things of this world come against us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Do You Hear Your Father's Voice?

John 10:27 (NIV)

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

An Englishman tells a true story of his encounter with a Muslim man while walking in the country. The Englishman wanted to share the gospel with this man but knew little of Muslim beliefs. The two men talked as they walked and agreed they would each share their beliefs with one another. The Muslim went first and dominated the time of sharing. The Englishman asked the Holy Spirit how to share his faith with the Muslim man. "Do you consider your god your father who speaks?" asked the Englishman.

"Certainly not," replied the Muslim man. "That is one of the big differences between your god and my God. I consider my God as my Father who speaks to me personally." "You cannot prove that," stated the Muslim man.

The Englishman again prayed to himself, "Lord, how do I prove this to this man?" A few moments later the two men began walking toward two young ladies on the other side of the road coming toward them. As they approached, the Englishman spoke to the ladies and made small conversation. He then said to one woman, "I believe you are a nurse, is that correct?"

The woman was startled that a man whom she had never met had just informed her of her occupation. "How would you know that? I have never met you before," she questioned. He replied, "I asked my Father and He told me." The Muslim had his proof.

Many of us do not hear God's voice because we do not believe He speaks or desires to speak to us. In order to hear, we must listen. In order to listen, we must believe that He speaks. Ask the Lord today for a listening ear so that others might know that you have a heavenly Father who speaks.

Dear Lord, today we come before You and ask that we have our ears open to You. Help us not be so busy that we don’t hear You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.