I’m a runner, not because running feels good, but because it helps me (be healthy, etc.). It’s hard to do things that are good, but don’t feel easy. In Matthew 5:43, Jesus acknowledges that it’s so natural for us as humans to hate our enemies, but at the root of hate is our selfishness. When we love enemies, we’re selfless and we become imitators of God Himself!

Today’s challenge: do something good that you don’t feel like doing. Could be going for a run, exercising, or helping around the house. It could even be going out of your way to apologize to or do something nice for someone you don’t like.

[Originally aired on 6/18/2020]

The post Daily Devo 40 – Hard to Love first appeared on Gethsemane Church, Tempe.

Jesus tells us, “be perfect.” But, like, is that even possible? What he’s pointing to is that by loving our enemies, we are imitating God, who IS perfect. When we follow Jesus, we don’t have the right to treat someone as unloved who Jesus treats with him love. God treats us with unconditional love, even though we sometimes treat Him as our enemy. Jesus calls us to love our enemies unconditionally. It’s literally Godlike to put your negative feelings aside to love someone you don’t like but who Jesus loves.

Today’s challenge: love an enemy. Think about someone who frustrates or annoys you, someone who you honestly don’t want to be around. Do something kind and unexpected for that person. The bigger you go, the better.

[Originally aired on 6/16/2020]

The post Daily Devo 39 – Practice Makes Perfect first appeared on Gethsemane Church, Tempe.

What is Jesus saying when he says, “Turn the other cheek”? Sometimes we have to step back and think about what other people are going through, even the people who hurt us. Here’s a phrase that helps us understand this: hurt people hurt people. Like, people who hurt you are actually already experiencing hurt in their own life. God calls us to be kind to these people and to stop the cycle of hate and hurt. God turns the other cheek, goes the extra mile, and demonstrates his love for us by sending his son Jesus to the cross. So when someone hurts you, pause, take a step back, and thinking about how you can be an agent of healing.

Today’s challenge: put yourself in their shoes. Think about someone who’s specifically hurt you, and think through what you can say or do to help them heal. And then do it!

[Originally aired on 6/11/2020]

The post Daily Devo 38 – Hurt People Hurt People first appeared on Gethsemane Church, Tempe.

Feeling betrayed or hurt by somebody is the worst! My friend gave me some weird advice to “love them through it” when it happened to me. Jesus gives us the same advice in Matthew 5:38-42, and He says it knowing that it’s how God loves us. We turn our backs to God every day, yet He still loves us SO much!

Today’s challenge: Do you feel betrayed by a friend or sibling? Love them through it. Forgive them, treat them with too much kindness, and do it all genuinely and from your heart. These are all things that God does to love on you every single day!

[Originally aired on 6/9/2020]

The post Daily Devo 37 – Love Them Through It first appeared on Gethsemane Church, Tempe.

Do you ever want to call someone out to see if what they’re saying is true? This is what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 5:33-38. He was calling us to just tell the truth no matter what we were talking about! He calls us to have relationships that are simple, honest, and truthful. He calls us to leave no doubt that we love others. And this is the example that God gives us, that he spared nothing, not even his Son’s life, to show us His love so we don’t doubt it.

Today’s challenge: where are you leaving room for doubt in your relationships? Reflect on this, maybe even journal about it, and then take action: whoever that friend or sibling or parent is, make sure they know today without a doubt that you love them. And rest in the fact that God spared nothing, not even his son, to show his love for you.

[Originally aired on 6/5/2020]

The post Daily Devo 36 – No Doubt first appeared on Gethsemane Church, Tempe.