September 22 Turn the Other Cheek 1 Peter 3:9
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:9)
It appears to me that the deeper I get into God’s Word, and the stronger my relationship is with my Savior, and the more that I am witnessing for His Grace and Forgiveness, Satan is more active in attempting to distract and thwart my growth! Satan is using all manner of obstacles to achieve his objective. Amazingly, he is using people that are considered friends, activities that are of a righteous nature and the unsuspecting individuals that he can manipulate into his service. As the intensity of the attacks increase, I activate a lesson from my dear daddy when Satan attacks! Daddy told me to “STOP, DROP, and PRAY!” He warned me to avoid the human response to assaults, when he quoted 1 Peter 3:9 that clearly tells us to “repay evil blessings,” and he instructed to “pray for those who would attack you and abuse you in the service of your Savior!” You may be experiencing a similar situation, and you really want to “clean their clock,’ but, as witnesses for Jesus and Redeemed Believers, we must follow the instructions of our Savior! FORGIVE, PRAY FOR THEM, KEEP ON SERVING JESUS! Luke 6:29 truly indicates the attitude and actions that we should be demonstrating when it tells us, “If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.” You cannot control the actions of others; however, you CAN control your reaction to it! We Serve a Risen Savior that has the Power to Redeem Us and to Ensure Our Salvation unto the Day When We Will See Him in Eternity. I Declare Boldly – NOT TODAY SATAN, NOT TODAY! Stay Strong, Stay Focused … THE BEST IS ABSOLUTELY YET TO BE!
Post Thought: “It is your attitude, not your aptitude that will determine your altitude!” My heart breaks when I am told of conflicts between fellow believers! Often, I am called upon to solve the issues and to “fix” the opposing person and their views (From both sides). Sadly, our negative reaction to basic human encounters is an indication of Spiritual Maturity. James 1:19 provides an ironclad solution for our human encounters: “then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath…”