Freely Speaking Audio Devotion

Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.

Today’s devotion, Loving God and Others with All Your Strength, was written by Susan Hales.

Let’s begin with our scripture from Mark Chapter 12, verse 30, where Jesus commands us to:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30 NIV).

My hands clenched the steering wheel as I drove to work. I hated my boss. My former boss, who hired me, got demoted. The new boss created a toxic work environment, including poor communication, bullying, and borderline sexual harassment.

One morning during my Bible study, I read in Luke 6:27-28 (NIV), "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." Really? How do I do that?

I know part of loving God is keeping His commandments, so I prayed for my boss, his wife, and his children every day on the way to work. It was difficult at first, but it got easier.

Jesus tells us in Mark 12:30-31 NIV that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Then, He reveals that the second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves. But who is our neighbor? Scholars point out that the Greek word translated neighbor means "one who is nearby," a generic term for fellow man.

How do we love our fellow man, even when they mistreat or persecute us?

We love our fellow man, even if they are unlovable, not by our strength but through God's power. As believers, the Holy Spirit strengthens us to love our enemies and even pray for them.

Did my prayers change my boss's inappropriate behaviors? No, but my attitude shifted, and I tolerated the situation until I could transfer to a different department. Also, my perspective changed; I saw my boss as someone in need of Jesus' love.

Have you ever tried to love your enemies and pray for them? What did you learn? If not, can you think of someone who has mistreated you to pray for?

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