RhonieSays

Learning To Walk Through Tight Places

RhonieSays — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 18:46:32 +0000

Learning to Walk Through Tight Spaces – Matthew 7:13-14

Included in all of the many teachings in the Sermon on the Mount is this one called The Narrow Gate. Jesus is very clear in two short verses that there is a way that is right and a way that is wrong, and as God offered to the children of Israel in Deuteronomy 30, Jesus is saying choose life, choose the right way, but you may go it alone.

As parents there is a lesson we have to teach over and over again; everybody who surrounds you is not your friend. Everyone who has your ear does not have your back. Jesus, our Daddy teaches us this lesson as well. The prodigal son that we are introduced to in Luke 15 discovered this when he left his father’s house with all of his earthly possessions and took off on his own. He was doing fine until he ran out of money. He chose the gate, the path that was broad and wide and every hanger-on and leach that could use him, used him up until he had nothing. This young man known as the prodigal son had to find out the hard way, it’s better to be in a tight space by yourself than in a wide place with those who don’t really care about you. So after all the money is gone, after he stops making it rain with his finances and his alcohol, suddenly he’s left all alone and he finds himself in a tight space. He finds himself unable to feed himself, he can’t support himself and he ends up working for a hog farmer feeding the hogs. He’s in a tight space but it is here that he comes to himself.

Here is a young man who has had it all, he’s had fine clothes, he’s had women and he’s had many friends. He’s had jewelry and he’s had the music and he’s had the parties and now he has nothing. The gate he entered when he left home was wide and broad and big enough for all these deadbeats to suck him dry and they did! Now he is in the pigpen, and as a Jewish man, this went against every law and teaching he had known all his life.

When we don’t heed the voice of our Father and choose the right path, thank God for mercy that sometimes He forces us into a place of revelation! It was in the pig’s pen, while he was slopping the hogs, cleaning and feeding the most disgusting animal a Jewish man could encounter, it was here in this wretched place that he found his way to the narrow gate that would lead to his future. It was here, alone, defeated, poor and beat down that he began to as the bible says, come to himself.

It was here in the tight space that he talked to himself, he came to his senses. It’s amazing how clearly we can hear when all the noise is gone. How clearly we can discern when all of the chatter of the crowd has faded away and he says to himself, here I am starving to death in a pig pen and the servants in my father’s house have food to spare! I’m going home! It was here in this tight space that this young man discovered his true self, he found what he was made of and the first thing he did was say I will tell my father that I have sinned. I have sinned against heaven and against you and I am sorry. I’m not worthy to even be your son, make me a hired hand in your house, but I want to come home.

The story tells us that he picked himself up and began to walk home. What a lonely tight walk that must have been. All alone, but on the way home. All alone, but walking toward destiny. All alone, but anticipating a home and a meal and purpose. All alone, but suddenly renewed in hope. And the beauty of this story is that the bible says the father saw him while he was still far off down the road. The father didn’t wait in the house until he got to him, the bible says that the father had compassion for him and ran to meet him, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Aren’t you glad your Father didn’t wait for you??

Beloved, there is a consequence to our decisions and beloved He does give us choices! Jesus, our Father, our Lord and Savior tells us, enter by the narrow gate. Luke’s gospel adds a word to this passage and he says, strive to enter into the narrow gate. This word strive means to press forward with all your might, to use every muscle in your body to strain to enter, it is a word that means to agonize.

Strain with all your might to enter into the right decision, pray and pray again. Press with all you have to get past your own feelings to get to the place of the spirit where the Father can speak because our flesh wants to take the easy road, the wide road the broad road but Jesus, the good, good father says no, don’t take that road! You’ll have lots of company but it leads to destruction. Many choose that road because it’s an easy one. Press in, agonize over your decision and then choose the narrow road that leads to life, there are few who find this path and live.

Jesus is saying if it was easy everybody could do it. Learn how to walk in tight spaces, learn how to find peace on the narrow road, learn how to get rid of all the noise and the distractions because you’re going to need to know how to hear the voice of the Father to make the right choices and decisions.

Learning to Walk in Tight Spaces. Somebody said, it’s tight but it’s right. Jesus is the narrow gate, He is the door, He is the way. The road to Him is narrow and so few choose it, but great is the reward of living for Him.

Grace and peace, Pastor G

Minister in the State of Ohio. In September 2013, Geneva and her husband started The Way Community Church and since then they have been serving the community and equipping believers for ministry. Geneva’s passion is teaching and developing and in September 2018 Geneva launched gwmiller ministries as a platform for her teaching, training and equipping of Kingdom people all across the globe for Kingdom building and Kingdom empowerment.

Click Here to view blogs by Pastor G

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Stop Holding Your Breath and Live!

RhonieSays — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 19:09:41 +0000

Anyone who suffers from anxiety can relate to holding their breath instead of enjoying life with ease. I admit anxiety has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Not sure what triggered it . . . maybe one bad outcome or some terrifying moment as a child, but whatever the root, I always expected bad things to happen. I would conjure up scenarios of negativity for anything that I was facing. I was constantly afraid and felt as if I was holding my breath, waiting for the next catastrophe.

I decided after living this way for many years I needed to find a way to exhale and breathe my way through life. It hasn’t been easy and there are times that I fall backwards into the anxiety loop, but here are a few simple things that help keep me from suffocating.

1. Accepting that things won’t be perfect
I now realize that anxiety can have a lot to do with wanting perfection. If I didn’t feel like the situation would come out perfectly, a level of panic always ensued. I had to learn to live in imperfect moments, which most likely were far from the bad scenarios I produced in my head.

2. Shutting down negative thoughts immediately
When I’m experiencing an anxious moment my imagination goes wild, but not in a good way because I’ve allowed negative thoughts to flood my brain. Learning to shut down those thought patterns and replace them with positive thoughts was critical. Taking the time to breathe slowly and intentionally helped clear my mind.

3. Changing my perspective on fear
Fighting anxiety means overcoming fear, which becomes very prevalent in those tense moments. I’m constantly learning to use fear to make me aware of the need to slow down, giving me time to think and redirect my thoughts towards a calmer view versus a panicked one of what lies ahead.

Life holds so many opportunities and we cannot allow anxiety to rob us of experiencing them. I had to change my thoughts and perspectives so worry wouldn’t always control me and how I was living my life. You can live in the moment and enjoy it by making a conscious decision to channel any preconceived negative conclusions towards positive results. The world is waiting on you, so take a breath and live.

By: Rhonie McBerry

Rhonie is a licensed radiation therapist providing care to those battling cancer. She learned to embrace a new normal after being diagnosed with Crohn’s. disease and uses the power of words to encourage others to see past their darkest day to a brighter horizon. She is the author of Embracing a New Normal, God Has Drawn The Blueprints Vol I &II, Words That Surround Your Soul devotionals, and a host of blog posts on her website www.RhonieSays.com

CLICK HERE TO VIEW BLOGS BY RHONIE

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It May Look Bad but It’s Not Hopeless

RhonieSays — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 10:00:00 +0000

As I sit on the patio on a beautiful sunny day and assess the world, I can’t help but realize how it is in so much turmoil and needs healing. We are experiencing tragedy after tragedy. Parents are stressed to make ends meet. Young people are finding themselves involved in adverse activities on a daily basis. And yet, the world turns as if nothing is occurring. It seems as if there is no hope for mankind. Where is the consideration of others? What happened to the unity in the communities? The Bible states in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Although this is from the Old Testament, it still applies to us today. God’s principle above all is to forgive and when He forgives us for repenting, it establishes an awesome relationship. Now, we are in position for restoration. However, it seems that many are not willing to turn from their immoral ways and therefore, we continue to go down a path that’s less desirable.

I recall the women who had an issue with blood for twelve long years. She had consumed everything she had on doctors. However, none of them could resolve her issue. One day she heard Jesus was passing by and as soon as she came up behind Him and barely touched his garment, her issue stopped! She was healed immediately!

Jesus told her because of her faith, she was now well. This is the type of faith we must exhibit, if we want to witness change for the better. Regardless, how a situation may appear, it may look bad but it’s not hopeless. “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips” (Psalms 89:34).

I know there may be times when individuals may feel that they are all alone. They may feel that no one cares, and at times, they feel like giving up due to the challenges they are faced with and all the chaos that surrounds them. I’m here to tell you today that God is yet in control. You are His child and He cares about you tremendously. “For the LORD thy God is a merciful God; he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.” (Deuteronomy 4:31). God has promised to be faithful to His people. This is His commitment to us. In return, all we have to do, is remain faithful and continue to seek God and His righteousness. God is completely reliable. He won’t fail us like man. We can trust Him. Psalms 37:3-5 says, “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” David calls us to take delight in the Lord and to commit everything we have and do to Him. This means entrusting everything such as our lives, families, jobs, and possessions. God knows what is best for His children.

My brothers and sisters continue to believe and don’t allow the enemy to steal your joy. I don’t care how things may appear right now; remember God is yet in control. He’s faithful to us even when we fall short. In the book of 2 Timothy, it tells us how Christ is faithful even when we are faithless and how He cannot disown Himself. He stands by His Word. “For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee” (Isaiah 54:10).

It may look bad but it’s not hopeless. We must continue to stand firmly and remember we walk by faith, not by sight.

BY: Minister Frederick Dawson

Minister Frederick D. Dawson is a graduate of Bishop State Community College, where he received an associate degree in Business Administration. He earned two bachelor degrees (Organizational Management/Christian Leadership & Ministry) from the University of Mobile. Currently, he is working towards a master degree in Biblical & Theological Studies. Dawson dedicated one-year writing inspirational daily devotionals for the Outreach Ministries for You (OMFY) and recently launched his own inspirational website (DawsonMinistries.Com) on January 15, 2019. His prayer is that Dawson Ministries illuminate truth as we journey down the path of life.

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He Quieted The Wind!

RhonieSays — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 09:12:00 +0000

Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

He quieted the wind! What a place of authority that can speak into the life of the believer. The wind can certainly symbolize those places of trials and tribulation that seem to come out of nowhere to cause disruptions. The kind of authority Jesus displayed is what I often fail to possess when life’s circumstances visit me. How can I gain more of that confidence in my own life?

Jesus speaking to the wind seems like a unique event but there is a life lesson I can acquire. What I should be gaining from His example is the confidence He had in His ability to speak to an adverse situation. He spoke and the winds died down. Wind in and of itself is movement. Not quiet but blowing with full-on intensity trying to cause a commotion by instilling fear. Isn’t that what circumstances do? Yet Jesus quieted the wind and that shows that I can do the same thing when the winds of life blow. The key is I’m backed by Jesus just as Jesus was backed by God.

John 5:19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.
His example of faith is the same example of faith that applies to me. The authority He demonstrated He also makes available to me.

1 John 2:6 Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked
There is a more excellent way to apply to every circumstance I face and that is speaking with authority and confidence that only comes from the Father directly through Jesus who is the author and finisher of my faith. Those strong winds of adversity will be quieted!

By: Rhonie McBerry

CLICK HERE TO VIEW BLOGS BY RHONIE

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Look to Him

RhonieSays — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 05:45:00 +0000

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

Look to Him
I recently experienced the death of a dear Elder who spoke such encouragement into my life. It was a heartbreaking moment to realize their life’s journey had come to such an unexpected end. To be honest their death hit me harder than I anticipated. It’s in times like these that a foundation set upon God’s faithfulness can be crushed or shaken.

Things didn’t turn out the way I hoped or prayed for leaving questions about God’s faithfulness trying to blind me versus having me look to Him in my time of grief. Here’s the key-all the promises of God are steeped in who is perfecting my faith. That perfecting factor is Jesus.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
When I let emotions speak they will steer me every which way but Jesus. Jesus is where my trust must reside and be built upon. When I look to Him I receive the comfort that assures me that God is indeed faithful.

It takes my feeding upon the Word of God as I look through the lens of Jesus to remain solid and secure. The hurt of this loss is still painful but I know that God is with me and giving me the strength to see beyond the hurt to His faithfulness.

2 Timothy 2:13If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. 1 Corinthians 1:9God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

By: Rhonie McBerry

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Nothing Just Happens

RhonieSays — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 12:47:51 +0000

I was thinking about a hunt from last season. I harvested one of my best bucks. It was about 4:00 p.m. when the buck came through behind me. It was well before dark, and I was hunting with a crossbow out of a rifle stand. I did it because the stand was in a fence line that deer liked to travel. I was on the phone when he came through. I hung up, grabbed my crossbow, and placed the perfect shot. It all happened in a few seconds.

To tell the story, I just tell people, it just happened suddenly, Or it just happened. I have chewed on that phrase for some time, and it has always been a part of my theology. Not that “things just happen,” but just the opposite. Things don’t “just happen.” I believe that with all my heart, even though I don’t understand all the issues around it. Another way to express my belief is this. I don’t believe in coincidence or luck. I know. I know.

There are so many things I can’t explain, I don’t understand, and that don’t seem significant. But I truly believe, nothing just happens. I believe there is always purpose behind every event in our life. That means every problem, every person, and every predicament that comes about in our life are only strange and unexpected to us, but not to God.

They may seem insignificant and temporary, or inconvenient and bothersome, but they will not be wasted by God to bring about something in our lives. He is the ultimate restorer, re-gifter, and re-purposer. He not only makes something from nothing, but he also makes something from everything. And every event in our life, both good and bad, is in his toolbelt.

Every person that comes into your life, is someone God will use to bring about something he wants you to know or be. Every pain that sinks you is God’s seed for a new and better growth. Every suffering that tears you in pieces, is God’s opportunity to put you back together, better. Paul reminded us that “God works all things for our good.” And you ask what does “all” mean? All means all and that’s all it means. That means your failure, tragedy, bankruptcy, incarceration, divorce, abuse, addiction, and the constant reoccurring times these happen, are no match for the designing hand of God.

I can look back at things that happened many years ago and still not see their significance. In fact, some of those things seem like an oddity or anomaly to the general direction of my life. And I admit I may die never having my “why” answered. But if God says things don’t just happen, then I have to trust – and you have to trust- that while we may not understand each piece, we can believe God thinks it’s an important part in making us the perfect person he designed us to be.

By: Gary Miller

Gary leads a church plant and teaches undergrad religion/apologetics. Gary also leads a ministry to hunters & fishermen. He has blogged for 17 years. Gary loves to cycle, run and do anything fit-wise. He is also passionate about prison reform. Gary walks day by day as an encourager.

gary@outdoortruths.org

CLICK HERE TO VIEW BLOGS BY GARY

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Waiting On the Lord.

RhonieSays — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 07:39:49 +0000

I take refuge in this passage of the word of God. The second half of Isaiah 40 is largely focused on the greatness of our Lord, and concludes with a very encouraging passage.

In a world that encourages people to do everything themselves and it focus is on individual achievement—this is a very encouraging passage. You don’t have to rely solely on your own strength, the Lord will give us what we need to do what he wants us to do. Though, it may seem difficult while waiting, but, Psalm 27:13-14 says, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and-—take heart and wait for the Lord.”

It is also worthwhile, however, that in order to receive the strength of the Lord, we must first recognize our weakness and wait on the Lord. Going to the Lord in humility and allow him to fill us with strength to do what we are called to do.

To wait on the Lord; Is to hope and trust in the Lord. Which requires Prayers, Faith, Patience, Humility, Meekness, Long-suffering, keeping the commandments, and enduring to the end.

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. [Isaiah 40:29-31]

Yours In Christ, Shalom.

BY: Kofi Bismark

Kofi Bismark is a staunch believer who zealously profess the Gospel. A graduate of the Word of Faith Bible Institute in Ghana, Africa. Currently studying Bsc. Clinical Psychology and have a ministry name the Gospeller Ministry which aims to reach the lost with the good news of God through outreaches and evangelism. Kofibis.blogspot.com

Follow @kofibismark33

God is not looking for an affair, He’s looking for a relationship with you.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW BLOGS BY BISMARK

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The Pit of Despair: Three Steps to Overcome It

RhonieSays — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 13:38:32 +0000

The pit of despair goes beyond a moment of sadness; it’s a place filled with utter loss of hope. An overwhelming sense of gloom about life’s circumstances can cause us to sink so low that we fail to see anything else around us. Agony, pain, and distress are just some of the discouraging emotions that can engulf us. The perception that few options are available can quickly crowd in, causing us to feel trapped. The goal is to climb out of this place as soon as possible, but we can’t climb without a ladder; therefore, let’s focus on three things that can help us climb that ladder.

1.  Realize this place is only temporary.

Nothing in this world is fixed. This place is not permanent; it will only last for a limited amount of time. Focusing on that fact we can picture ourselves projecting above and beyond where we are now.

2. Concentrate on encouraging our souls.

We will focus on the negative if we don’t make a conscious decision to feed our souls with positive affirmations. Even if we only utter one sentence. Things will get better; this is only temporary. The more we repeat positive affirmations to ourselves the less likely we are to stay downtrodden.

3. Make positive plans for the future.

We have to plan beyond our current situations. This is the key to climbing up and out. Writing out goals and focusing on completing one goal at a time will help us fend off the voices of doubt and discouragement.

Moving forward is the ultimate goal and these steps will help you begin the climbing process that leads to a brighter future.

Pit of Despair

This pit of despair encompassed the soul.

How this fall happened it’s hard to say.

Explosion of emotions may have caused the collapse.

The absence of light prompted all sensibility to disappear.

Hope is completely dashed.

Joyfulness where are you?

Search for the ladder of peace that will start the climb.

Grab onto encouragement that will illuminate the way.

Cognizance of a higher ground will lead to contentment.

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The Love Of Christ Jesus In Action

RhonieSays — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 13:06:00 +0000

Plain as it can be, there is nothing more important in life for the Christian to realize and walk in than the Love of God. Both of the two great commandments are all about Love.

Sounds so basic, doesn’t it. Except, too many Christians don’t realize it and it becomes a distant concept. Our revelation of it can be limited and it’s not in our experience near where it should be.

I am not trying to make anyone feel bad. I am merely trying to awaken us from at least occasional slumber. Me first, if you will, because I’m the one talking about it and I need to bathe in God’s Love afresh like any of us.

Of all the attributes of God revealed in the Word of God, there are only two things the Bible says God Is (as opposed to God possesses). One of them is God is Light (I John 1:5). The other is God is Love (I John 4:8,16). The Apostle John (a/k/a the Apostle of Love) speaks of the Love of God more than any other writer (respecting that Pauline’s revelation had some phenomenal things to say about God’s Love). The thrust of ‘God is Love’ is simply and profoundly, that He just doesn’t have it. He is it. He embodies it. Every single thing about Him is Love.

Therefore, we should be emanating Love. Because we are made in His image and likeness. In other words, just like Him. “As He is, so are we in this world.” (I John 4:17)

Obviously, a great deal can be shared about the Love of God. What I want to share in this writing is a picture of the Son of Man in action, in a period spanning only two days, here on this earth, when He was operating as a Man, specifically, a Man with God in Him. Jesus is our role model, bar none. And what emanated out of Him, in the most significant and trying times, was Love. If He could do it, we can do it.

Please note: as I have shared in other writings, Jesus walked in authority at all times and He only said and did what the Father was saying and doing. You cannot walk in God’s Love, unless you are walking in the authority that God gave you. You have to know who you are in Christ, by knowing who He is. That is the only way one can stay above the circumstances.

So come with me to Gethsemane and Calvary. This was merely a two day period, both Gethsemane and Jesus crucifixion. Capital punishment/execution was carried out quickly under Roman law.

You and I know the agony that Jesus suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus knew this was the time that He had to carry out what no one else was able to do, for the sins of the whole human race. I do hold that the greatest part of Christ’s agony at Gethsemane was that He knew that He had to be completely separated from His Father, even for a brief time. All of this that was happening was so extreme, that the Bible tells us Jesus sweat blood. That is a condition medically called hematidrosis, where blood vessels that feed the sweat glands rupture, under extreme emotional stress.

So Jesus is in and coming out of this extreme condition, when Judas shows up with his bad band of men. And not far into the initial exchange, one of bad guy’s ear is lopped off by sword. What does Jesus do? What does Love Himself do? He heals and restores the man’s ear (Luke 22:50-51). Who does something like that? And who does it under what He was feeling and facing? The answer is Love does that. Someone who is in control of His circumstances and Love comes out. Can you even imagine what that guy with the cut off ear likely felt?

The following day is all about Jesus’ trial and crucifixion. The Jesus I am talking about here is someone who was whipped 39 times with a whip of leather and metal pieces on several of the ends. This is the Jesus who was being mocked, punched in the face, having his facial hair torn out, smitten with sticks, having a crown of large thorns thrust hard down on His head. The Bible says He was so pulverized, that He was unrecognizable. Then, after that, nailed to a tree, with large spikes, through His hands and feet.

Does Love Himself remain in control of His circumstances and feelings? YES! Does Love Himself emanate Love, in a myriad of ways, as He hung on that tree, innocent of all, in excruciating pain, and still wanting not to experience His Father having to turn His back on His Son? YES, our Jesus did that very thing. For you and for me.

Jesus is hanging on the Cross. Do I need to describe the physical condition He is in? And in John 19, we read that Love Himself took the time, to ensure that John would take great care of His mother following His death. He was looking out for someone else, and not Himself. That’s Love in action.

And if circumstances were not screaming to get the better of Him (but He was walking in authority and Love), what else do we see?

We see Love Himself declaring that those who were grossly mistreating Him and putting Him to death be forgiven (Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do ::: Luke 23:34). Can you and I do that? Can we do it under the circumstances Jesus was experiencing?

Then there’s Luke 23:39-43. The two thieves. And there goes Love again, taking the time, while suffering as He was, to love that one thief and assure him of his imminent salvation. Wow!

Is anyone breaking down in tears just yet, like I am? How do you do this, Jesus?

Finally, in what I see as the utter trust and love between the Father and the Son, Jesus commits His Spirit (Luke 23:46) as He enters His moment of death and as He goes off to conduct further business (like take the authority back, that God gave Adam and all mankind, and that Adam had turned over to Satan in Eden. The Second Adam is finishing the work the first one started. And at the soon Resurrection and Ascension, all of mankind is redeemed and back in the saddle – if, of course, one accepts what Jesus did).

More of Him. More of Love Himself. Yielded. The cry of the heart.

The wonderful Good News is that God’s Love is shed abroad in your heart and you are full of that Love. We now need to flesh it out.

What the world needs now, is Love, sweet Love. Love is a many splendored thing. All you need is Love. Even the world knows it through songs and wants it.

Everyone wants Love real bad.

Beloved, you and I are the carriers of it.

BY: John McCurdy

John McCurdy is currently a Pastor in New Jersey. His heart and assignment is to teach Believers to Believe and how to have the overcomer’s life – which John sees almost more than anything people are longing for. He teaches and has taught Bible School in the metropolitan NYC/NJ area, as well as to international students from several nations. He is an educated counselor and ministers to hurting people.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW BLOGS BY PASTOR JOHN

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Love Your Enemies By Doing Good

RhonieSays — Sat, 29 Jan 2022 18:29:43 +0000

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.” Luke 6:27-29

When you’re wronged, mistreated, harassed, and face opposition, you need to respond with kindness and love.

Jesus teaches us in Luke 6:27-29 to love our enemies and do good to those that hated us. Jesus called us to bless those who cursed us and pray for those who used us despitefully. He taught us that we should not return evil for evil but exhibit divine grace and love to reflect our heavenly Father’s beautiful characteristics.

But let’s be honest, who does that? Not many people! Nonetheless, it’s what sets Christians apart because it’s not a natural, popular, or easy response. It takes a lot of strength and courage to do good to those who oppose you!

Please understand, any idiot can fight back. Any coward can retaliate. Any moron can say something hurtful; even parrots can be trained to curse. However, the Lord wants you to love your enemies, do good to those individuals who hate you, bless the people who curse you, pray for anyone who hurt you.

Is that easy? No, not at all! But you can do it by being filled with God’s unconditional love.

One day, I watched a documentary about the Freedom Riders on PBS. They showed the Freedom Riders fighting against racism in the South during the Civil Rights Movement. The documentary explained how these courageous individuals were taught how to take a nonviolent stance and not retaliate when they were hit, spit on, cursed, pushed, or when people threw food at them.

As I watched the documentary, I thought to myself, “I want to be that kind of person for the Kingdom of God. I want to be that courageous so no matter what is thrown at me, I can respond with love and peace.”

When you refuse to retaliate and instead respond in love, God will be pleased, and I believe you will be blessed.

Matthew 5:10-12 says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in Heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Let us pray…

Heavenly Father, thank You that, by faith in Christ, we have a new nature. We pray that we may live and grow more like the Lord Jesus in our choices. Father, we know and understand that we can never love those who hate and despise us in our own strength, but we pray that in Your grace and mercy, You would help us to make the correct choices, so our heart and mind align to Your perfect will; so that Your love flows through us to others. It is in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

BY: Tony Warrick, Th. D

Dr. Tony L. Warrick has always had a passion for transformation. This passion unveiled his purpose to see people be all that God has created them to be by connecting the transforming power of the Kingdom of God to everyday living. As a minister, he has served as an author, certified chaplain, Bible studies teacher, lecturer on Biblical Leadership, and assisted in planting a life-giving church in Raleigh, NC.

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