Part 4

When I get stung I want to squash the nasty bugger that did the stinging. 
I want to swat the offending insect…out of the air and grind him into the dirt. 
The same is true of how I want to respond to those who hurt me! 
But I have learned over the years that my way is not God’s way and guess whose way is the best?

Romans 12:20, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, 
give him something to drink. 
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”  (NIV)

All right let’s take a closer look at this for a moment…

Why, if you are being kind to someone that has caused you heart ache would you now heap burning coals on his head? 
Well the best place to find this answer would be in the Old Testament in the book of Proverbs.

And here is where we can shed some understanding on the whole matter…

Proverbs 25:22 states in response to your enemy…

“You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.” (NLT)

At the time the proverbs were written, in Egypt, 
a sign that a person felt great shame or remorse 
would be indicated as they carried around a bowl full of burning coals on their head. 
Everyone seeing this would understand that the person was making it known publicly 
that they had “wronged” someone and they were sorry.

So this is what happens when we show kindness to our enemies 
we will drive them towards a place in their hearts of admission of their own guilt. 
The verse concerning coals is about the emotional sorrow a rival will feel when you stir his sense of 
right and wrong in regards to his conduct towards you. 
So why not show kindness to someone who is like the nasty hornet.

Here are some key guidelines for us as believers…

Be at peace with everyone

Overcome evil with good

Allow God to be God and don’t take revenge

Display God’s grace and love in all that you do

Don’t allow the hate of someone else, control how you respond

Study the things that make for peace, and then put them into action

Do not take revenge …do not to seek vengeance

God will right all wrongs in His own perfect judgment

Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

When you “wake up” someone’s heart, in regards to their bad behavior by your love “for your enemies”, 
you can help to reveal the Lord’s plan for their lives. 
It shows the love that awaits those who call on His name and trust that Jesus is the Son of God. 
That Jesus centered himself on the cross for all of us…

John 3:16-17, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, 
so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. 
For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, 
but to be its savior.” (GNT)

Caprice <><

How to Get Along with Ornery Helpers-
Part 3

Guess who is considered “protected wildlife” in places like Germany? 
Did you know that they serve our ecosystem? 
That they actually help to control insects like spiders, caterpillars, flies, crane flies and beetles that would breed out of control and become a greater nuisance. 
And get this they work to pollinate plants so that they are able to flower with each growing season. 
Yes…the nasty & testy hornet! 
I hate to admit this...but my garden and I need him and his stinging friend the honeybee.

Our tomatoes are coming on in a very large numbers this year along with my cucumbers, beans, and apples. 
My husband, a large army of helpers and myself, maintain together our considerable garden. 
We work hard along side each other to keep everything producing! 
You see those stinging insects are actually one of the most important aspects of my garden. 
I have always understood the benefit of bees…but nasty hornets?

The little social worlds we dwell in are like that too…
where you work, your social media choice, home, and even our churches; 
are loaded with the most aggravating people! 
And at times, I am probably the most un-agreeable in the eyes of others.

So when you are out there and someone zaps you 
why not take out your “God Eyes” and look a little closer…
just maybe there is a jewel in your midst. 
Someone who is doing there job, 
they may not have the best social skills…
or should I say they can be nasty at times…
but guess what?

John 1:3, “Through him God made all things; 
not one thing in all creation was made without him.” (GNT)

So how are we to respond?

Romans 12:9-10,
 “Don’t just pretend to love others. 
Really love them. 
Hate what is wrong. 
Hold tightly to what is good. 
Love each other with genuine affection, 
and take delight in honoring each other.”

 
Caprice <><

Take the Right Action 
Part 2

This story about the bees and Hornets has brought out all sorts of stories from all of you regarding times you have gotten stung. 

One friend got stung right on the tip of her nose while hanging laundry! As I thought about it I realized the picture story here is that the hornet and the bee are in defense mode. 
Isn’t that what happens when our human emotions 
perceive attack from others? 
Don’t we want to defend our tenderness and retaliate?

A bee stings when an intruder comes too close to a nest, disturbs it, or physically harms a bee;
 the bee caught in my towel. 
Honeybees can only sting one time and then they die. 
Hornets sting as a defense; I had threatened the hornet by getting too close. 
Hornets are nasty aggressive insects; they can sting multiple times, with great impact. 
To prove my point, have you ever seen a hornet catch a fly or other insect? 
They rip off the insects’ wings and then fly away with them!

Bees and Hornets are all around us. 
But the key to understanding the beehives of this life is that there is a reason for the sting. 
Whether human or bee, the one who zaps a sting, 
perceives danger or threat.

We will always have those who “zap” in our lives…
it is how we respond to those situations that reveals the core of who we are. 
And not just who you are on the outside, 
but who you are on the inside as it reveals your heart and attitudes.

The Bible explains it this way, 
“Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. 
That goes for all of you, no exceptions. 
No retaliation. 
No sharp-tongued sarcasm. 
Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. 
You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.” 
1Peter 3:8-10 (MSG)

To be a blessing means that we watch over somebody protectively, 
we give support, and share the qualities given to us as followers of Jesus. 
When we asked Jesus into our hearts we received the love of God…
our blessing…and in turn are to share that “Jesus-like love” with others…
their blessing…not our old ways of doing things. 
We are to forget our old ways and step out in the new ways of God’s love towards…
yes…
even the hornets and bees in our lives.

Caprice <><

Zapped!! 
Part 1

The other day I was in my garden and as I bent down to check on some cucumbers 
out of nowhere came a loud buzz and then, “thunk” right between the eyes, 
I got zapped by an angry hornet. 
Wow…did that ever hurt! 

Then if you can believe it, 
within two days I had gone swimming and when I was drying myself off 
a bee was clinging to my towel. As I began to rub my skin dry 
the bee defended him-self and stung me on the thigh. 

This was the more miserable of the two due to my sensitivity to bees…
swelling, pain and then incredible itching followed.

You know life is like that you can go about your own business 
when out of nowhere an angry somebody zaps you with a zinger! 

I am sure all of you can relate to a hornet in your life. 

You know it is never easy to respond to those zaps 
and to be honest I am never quit prepared on how to react. 

When anger comes our way it is either deserved, 
earned or a result of “the one who zaps” life experiences. 

So how do you respond to the hornets and bees of this world?

Romans 12:17-20, 
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. 
Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, 
live at peace with everyone. 
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, 
but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: 
“It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 
On the contrary:“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; 
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. 
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”  (NIV)

Caprice<><