December 11th, 2020
Family Tree Devotional Series - Week 2 – Love - Friday – Anna Williams
Forgiving Love
Matthew 5:44-46 (NIV)
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?"
In 1956 Nate Saint flew his last evangelical mission flight to share the Gospel with the Waodani people of Ecuador. He and his fellow missionaries had interacted briefly with the tribesmen and hoped to gain another such opportunity. The tribe had a reputation for being fierce warriors and for engaging in revenge killings – even amongst themselves. In a surprise attack, the tribesmen greeted the men and killed Nate and his team members with spears.
The missionaries' families were devastated, but Nate's sister, Rachel, chose to continue the work. She returned to the area with the widow of one of the other men killed and continued to communicate with the tribe. The ladies eventually became accepted into the tribe, and many of the tribe members gave their lives to Jesus. Mincaye, the man who had killed Nate, even accepted Jesus as his savior. Rachel lived with the tribe for over 30 years, and Nate's son Steve came to know Mincaye as a surrogate father.
How is this possible? Our natural emotions would never lean towards forgiving a parent's killer, let alone befriend him. Only a supernatural love for lost people can do that. It is not something we can attain on our own, but it is available to us from our Heavenly Father if we seek it. Is there someone that has wronged you that you need to forgive? Or maybe there is someone you could show love in your life – even though they don't deserve it.
Pray this prayer with me:
Lord, please help me behave towards others, making it abundantly clear that I am one of your children. Help me to show love. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
Forgiving Love
Matthew 5:44-46 (NIV)
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?"
In 1956 Nate Saint flew his last evangelical mission flight to share the Gospel with the Waodani people of Ecuador. He and his fellow missionaries had interacted briefly with the tribesmen and hoped to gain another such opportunity. The tribe had a reputation for being fierce warriors and for engaging in revenge killings – even amongst themselves. In a surprise attack, the tribesmen greeted the men and killed Nate and his team members with spears.
The missionaries' families were devastated, but Nate's sister, Rachel, chose to continue the work. She returned to the area with the widow of one of the other men killed and continued to communicate with the tribe. The ladies eventually became accepted into the tribe, and many of the tribe members gave their lives to Jesus. Mincaye, the man who had killed Nate, even accepted Jesus as his savior. Rachel lived with the tribe for over 30 years, and Nate's son Steve came to know Mincaye as a surrogate father.
How is this possible? Our natural emotions would never lean towards forgiving a parent's killer, let alone befriend him. Only a supernatural love for lost people can do that. It is not something we can attain on our own, but it is available to us from our Heavenly Father if we seek it. Is there someone that has wronged you that you need to forgive? Or maybe there is someone you could show love in your life – even though they don't deserve it.
Pray this prayer with me:
Lord, please help me behave towards others, making it abundantly clear that I am one of your children. Help me to show love. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
Posted in Family Tree Devos
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