Preemptive Strike – Day 14

Becoming More Like Jesus

A friend of mine was dumbfounded that I would think of helping someone who had hurt me deeply. I must admit, I, too was surprised by my response because my flesh wanted to punch someone in the face.

But I heard the Holy Spirit respond to my friend through my voice. “We don’t respond to people according to how they have treated us. We respond to people according to how God has treated us. We don’t allow the actions of others to change who we are in Christ.”

Our example is Christ.
When Judas was betraying Jesus, Jesus called him friend.
When the guards were arresting Him, Jesus healed them.
When the crowd mocked Him, Jesus extended forgiveness.

In 2020, I want my responses to hurt and rejection to be more like Jesus and less like Melissa. How about you?

“Father, I thank you that you have promised, “As Jesus was in this world, so are we. (I John 4:17b)” So as Jesus was secure in His Identity as Savior of the World, let me be secure in my identity as daughter of the Most High. As Jesus knew He was loved by the Father, give me a greater revelation of your love for me. As Jesus released offenses, let me do the same. As Jesus forgave quickly, let me forgive just as freely.

Father, I know all of this is a byproduct of spending time in your word and spending time in your presence. So Father, I ask for greater intimacy with you in 2020. You are not withholding from me; I am withholding from you. Give me wisdom to lay things down, to refuse busyness, to surrender all to you.

In 2020, give me the faith, the wisdom, the anointing
To love others as you do
To pray for those who hurt me.
To honor others even if they are behaving dishonorably.
To heal those who want to harm me.

Father, I trust you as I do what you have called me to do, you will protect me, you will fight for me, you will heal my heart..

As Jesus was in this world, so am I. Amen.”

“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.”
‭‭I John‬ ‭4:17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬