by Ricky Doc Sauceda
1 Peter 4:12
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Someone hurt a distant friend of mine this past week. She is well known in her activity in Praise Ministry (Worship Leading). She has overcome deep obstacles in life and I admire her heart and perseverance.
Psalm 47:6
Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
To think that someone would hurt a good person like her is horrible, but that is the way of the world. We can be over-aggressive in what we want and desire. We can even have hearts of stone towards good and kind people like my friend.
Luke 17:1-2
Jesus said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks will come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.
She did not go into detail about what had been done. She mentioned only that it was something wicked. I am accustomed to this at every level of my life thus far...it seems to be something strange to my friend. For her, I am sorrowful that she has met this monster called "wicked."
Shame on the person that hurt her. Know that her family of Christian brothers and sisters are united with her in our Way of love. We do not wish you ill and we pray for you to seek our Lord's redemption regarding this and any other matter of wrong that has been committed on your part.
Matthew 5:43-45
Love Your Enemies
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.…
I have personally prayed for my friend regarding this situation. She knows the provision and love of our LORD well. She is known for it.
May we all endeavor to conduct ourselves in a way that pleases God. For He is love and life. He loves all of us...but the time of our answering comes to us all, eventually.