Reading: Luke 6:27-36 NLT

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies!

Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.

If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back.

Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

“If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.

“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.

You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – You know that my knee-jerk reaction to enemies is anger, followed by fight or flight. Loving them – and doing good to them – is the last thing on my mind. Forgive me.

Give me your Father’s heart – transform my heart of stone into a heart of flesh – full of compassion and slow to anger.

Help me to see my enemies as you see them… and respond appropriately – guided and empowered by your Spirit… that you may be glorified. Amen.

Country Song: “Love can build a bridge” – The Judds

I’d gladly walk across the desert, with no shoes upon my feet
To share with you the last bite, of bread I had to eat
I would swim out to save you, in your sea of broken dreams
When all your hopes are sinkin’, let me show you what love means

Please click on audio link –

Love can build a bridge, between your heart and mine
Love can build a bridge. Don’t you think it’s time?
Don’t you think it’s time?

I would whisper love so loudly, every heart could understand
That love and only love, can join the tribes of man
I would give my heart’s desire, so that you might see
The first step is to realize that it all begins with you and me

Love can build a bridge, between your heart and mine
Love can build a bridge. Don’t you think it’s time?
Don’t you think it’s time?

When we stand together, it’s our finest hour
We can do anything, anything, keep believin’ in the power

Love can build a bridge, between your heart and mine
Love can build a bridge. Don’t you think it’s time?
Don’t you think it’s time?

Love and only love, Love and only love