| Pastor’s Page |
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| Robert Krause, Pastor |
Dear Beloved,
During a time of terrible atrocities in Armenia, a young woman and her brother were being pursued down a street by a
Turkish soldier. Cornering them, the armed man mercilessly shot the brother before the sister’s eyes, then let her go free.
Later, while she was working in a military hospital as a nurse, the soldier who had slain her brother was brought into her
ward. He was critically wounded, and the slightest inattention to his needs would have meant certain death. When the
nurse realized this, a terrible struggle took place in her mind. The old nature cried, “Vengeance!” But the Christ-life within
whispered, “Kindness.” She yielded to the Spirit’s gentle prompting and patiently nursed him back to health. The Turk, who
had recognized her, said to her one day, “Why didn’t you let me die?” She replied simply, “I am a follower of Jesus, and He
said, ‘Love your enemies.’” The man was silent for a long time. At last he spoke. “I never knew that anyone could have
such faith. If that’s what it does tell me more about it. I want it.”
February directs us to a season of “love” as we observe Valentine’s Day and let those we care most about, know how
much we really love them. It is a lot like Christmas in a sense; we set aside a season and day to really give attention to the
emphasis. And we should be intentional in remembering significant days and events that move us to faithfulness and
deeper devotion.
However, I want to challenge every Christ-follower to a higher discipline this year. In addition to letting those very
special ones know how much you love them, consider being especially kind to those who are considered your “enemies”
for whatever reason. Just like the girl in the above account. Hear Jesus for just a few verses: “And if you love those who
love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to
you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive,
what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. But love your enemies,
and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be the sons of the Most High;
for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men” (Luke 6:32-35).
Did you really hear Jesus? Since it is a believer’s goal to be formed into the image of Jesus (Phil. 3:12-14) we are to
pursue that goal intentionally. In order to reach that goal, that prize, to be considered the sons of the Most High, we must be
found having the same character and quality as He does, being kind to ungrateful and evil men.
There’s a Nike commercial that asks, “Is it in you?” Well as a regenerated, born again Christ follower, it most certainly
is in you! What seems impossible with men is possible with God and His remedy for you and me is to depend wholly upon
the Holy Spirit who resides within. That is the only way we can love those who are our enemies. I love the truth found in
Romans 5:5- “…the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” While
we can never have the capacity to love our enemies in our own strength, it is possible for the believer to exercise the
supernatural love of God because of God in us.
So here it is: Step up and exercise that which you are pressing on to; being found in the image of Christ and loving the
way He loves. Not only is this good for you… it is pleasing to the Lord that you are imitating Him.
Go and love…
In Christ's love,
Brother Robert
During a time of terrible atrocities in Armenia, a young woman and her brother were being pursued down a street by a
Turkish soldier. Cornering them, the armed man mercilessly shot the brother before the sister’s eyes, then let her go free.
Later, while she was working in a military hospital as a nurse, the soldier who had slain her brother was brought into her
ward. He was critically wounded, and the slightest inattention to his needs would have meant certain death. When the
nurse realized this, a terrible struggle took place in her mind. The old nature cried, “Vengeance!” But the Christ-life within
whispered, “Kindness.” She yielded to the Spirit’s gentle prompting and patiently nursed him back to health. The Turk, who
had recognized her, said to her one day, “Why didn’t you let me die?” She replied simply, “I am a follower of Jesus, and He
said, ‘Love your enemies.’” The man was silent for a long time. At last he spoke. “I never knew that anyone could have
such faith. If that’s what it does tell me more about it. I want it.”
February directs us to a season of “love” as we observe Valentine’s Day and let those we care most about, know how
much we really love them. It is a lot like Christmas in a sense; we set aside a season and day to really give attention to the
emphasis. And we should be intentional in remembering significant days and events that move us to faithfulness and
deeper devotion.
However, I want to challenge every Christ-follower to a higher discipline this year. In addition to letting those very
special ones know how much you love them, consider being especially kind to those who are considered your “enemies”
for whatever reason. Just like the girl in the above account. Hear Jesus for just a few verses: “And if you love those who
love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to
you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive,
what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. But love your enemies,
and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be the sons of the Most High;
for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men” (Luke 6:32-35).
Did you really hear Jesus? Since it is a believer’s goal to be formed into the image of Jesus (Phil. 3:12-14) we are to
pursue that goal intentionally. In order to reach that goal, that prize, to be considered the sons of the Most High, we must be
found having the same character and quality as He does, being kind to ungrateful and evil men.
There’s a Nike commercial that asks, “Is it in you?” Well as a regenerated, born again Christ follower, it most certainly
is in you! What seems impossible with men is possible with God and His remedy for you and me is to depend wholly upon
the Holy Spirit who resides within. That is the only way we can love those who are our enemies. I love the truth found in
Romans 5:5- “…the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” While
we can never have the capacity to love our enemies in our own strength, it is possible for the believer to exercise the
supernatural love of God because of God in us.
So here it is: Step up and exercise that which you are pressing on to; being found in the image of Christ and loving the
way He loves. Not only is this good for you… it is pleasing to the Lord that you are imitating Him.
Go and love…
In Christ's love,
Brother Robert