FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2025

 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2025, LAST DAY OF FEBRUARY

Yesterday, I commented on one of the vital passages of scripture for me:

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.  Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.  Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

But - here are the same verses from a different translation (The Message):

“To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, gift wrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more payback. Live generously.”

Today - expanding that.

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There is so much here, I don’t know where to start.

Slaps you in the face?  

“Stand there and take it.” But shouldn’t I try to defend myself?  Not if you are following this concept.  

“Somebody takes unfair advantage of you - be a servant - no more payback.  Live generously”

How can I live generously if somebody is taking advantage of me?  Don’t I have to protest and say, “Don’t do that?”  

Isn’t that like letting the bad people walk all over you?  Yeah, so what?  SO WHAT???  Have you lost your mind Jesus?  No retaliation?  Not fighting back, not even talking bad to them?

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Okay,big picture.  Living on Earth is like being in baseball’s minor leagues.  We want to play in the big leagues (aka “heaven”).  

In real baseball, you get to the big leagues (Major League Baseball) by working harder - more hours in hitting practice, more hours in the weight room so you can throw the ball in from right field faster and harder, more hours fielding ground balls and fly ball.  Running, running, running!!!  

But, in God’s Major League, it is by being a servant, by LOVING EVERYBODY!!!  

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Okay, Karen’s experience. Yes, I got myself in trouble.  A scammer told me that they needed money because they had lost their credit card - and they asked me to give them some money (and … they would repay it… [sure thing]).  

I sent them a small amount ($200) in a check by mail.  (Sorry folks, I am not doing electronic funds transfer, or wire transfer).  Right now, “the checks in the mail”.  

I’m not sure this is meeting the concept of:  “If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life.”  

I don’t give money to crooks - and online scammers - so this is a learning experience for me.  Jesus - I’m trusting in you.  Philippians 4:19 - You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need,

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Early Conclusion:  Jesus is such a radical - love my enemies, love those I don’t normally love.  Let them run over me, slap me, steal my coat, shirt, whatever - they are only things!!

True agape love is so perfect - so why do I want to settle for less?

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

Karen Anne White, February 28, 2025