Vol. 3, No. 45
If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if your enemy is thirsty, give him to drink; thus, you heap coals of fire on his head. –Romans 12:20
I’ll let no man ruin my life by making me hate him!
So spoke the black chemist and experimenter. Born of a slave woman in 1860, George Washington Carver had tough going during his early years. He firmly believed that God never makes junk.
He was denied schooling, rejected by fellow scientists, and heavily criticized by other blacks as too humble, and as an Uncle Tom. Yet this small, mild, soft-spoken, innately modest man researched the peanut with over 300 derivative products (such as plastics, dyes, ink, soap, medicinal oils, and cosmetics).
He discovered 118 products from sweet potatoes. Among them are rubber ink, postage stamp glue, vinegar, molasses, and a synthetic rubber.
George Washington Carver – part believer, part scientist, and part ‘a performing black bear’ took censure and castigation with a gracious and quiet spirit.
He was not a tit-for-tat, eye for an eye, or “I will give you a dose of your own medicine” kind of person.
Deal with the negative was in his heart and mind; avenge not yourself.
Paul is speaking to men and women in the Roman Empire who had a passionate desire to handle private wrongs. He is dealing with not just external acts, but down to the core, thoughts and feelings.
Have you been there?
Paul says, “Take the positive; heap coals of fire on his head.” Do that which will melt and soften the heart. There may indeed be the inclusion of the burning pangs of shame felt by a person whose evil and lack of compassion is answered by good.
Timing for such a thing is important. Give food and drink only when the other person is hungry and thirsty; otherwise things could go from bad to worse. Know that you cannot grasp God’s thunderbolts; but His love you can copy. Vengeance may break the spirit; but kindness will break the heart of the merciless.
Yet, we must take care about gloating when we see an enemy squirm. That enemy needs help. Nothing is so hollow and empty as getting revenge . . . it leave one flat and unhappy. You can help fix that.
Happy are those who strive for peace . . . they shall be called the sons of God.
A thought from David Tripp . . . Come Let Us Adore Him
The angels sang a glory song because Glory had come to earth to unleash His glory on all who would put their trust in Him.
I love Christmas . . . the excitement, the gift giving, the cookies, decorating, the special moments with people I love. Most of all, I love the deep, encouraging, humbling, and hope-giving story that is at the heart of the season.
There is something particularly glorious about the hymns that explain and define the significance of the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
If you or I had been writing the big redemptive story, we would have never conceived something so amazing and miraculous as God actually coming on a rescue mission as a real human person.
Glorious.
The Savior who rescues your heart claims your song.
Have you joined the choir?
