By: Jasmyne McDonald

In today's society, the dog-eat-dog philosophy in a competitive workplace and eye for an eye attitude is commonplace. More often then not, we feel like we must avenge some wrong people have done to us. Revenge tears apart friendships, trust, families, etc. Jealousy and revenge has caused fights. Revenge in marriage has increased the divorce rate. Revenge and relentless teasing have caused school shootings across the country. Revenge on the job has led to unemployment. Revenge and gangs have lead to the deaths of innocent youth such as Starkesia Reed and Siretha White; two Chicago honor students (ages 14 and 10 respectively) who were killed by bullets through their windows from gang violence outside their homes on two separate occasions during March. Revenge is even exemplified in the bible by Levi, Samson, Joab, Absalom, Ahab, Jezebel, James, John, and Elijah. Revenge appears in many different ways in the world. Everyday, I hear people say things like, "I'll get them back when we least expect it," or "I'll show them how it feels," and even, "They have it coming." The Bible advises us about revenge in Leviticus 19:18 , "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself," as well as in Romans 12:17 , "Do not repay anyone evil for evil." Revenge takes over our lives, creating a vicious cycle and making us sin against others. No two wrongs make a right. We always want to blame and avenge the wrongs others have done to us, yet many times we forget about the wrongs we commit against others. Mohandas Gandhi said, "An eye for an eye will only make the world blind." God calls for us to assume responsibility for both sides of wrong doing. Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." With Easter in only 12 days, we should remember that, in Christ, we are forgiven for every sin we have ever committed against God. In celebration of Christ's resurrection and the forgiveness of our sins pass on the peace and love that forgiveness brings. Instead of creating a cycle of revenge, live by a cycle of forgiveness. God loved us enough to forgive us our trespasses; start loving your neighbor as God loves you and forgive those who trespass against you.

Let us pray.

"Dear Lord, when revenge tries to take hold of our lives and guide our actions help us to put you in front of us and only allow you to guide us. Remind us of the forgiveness we have in Christ Jesus. Help us to find it in our hearts to forgive those who commit wrong-doings against us and ask forgiveness of those who we do wrong. Guide us so that we choose forgiveness instead of revenge. Thank you Lord for always forgiving us. Amen"

BY: Jasmyne McDonald

This month's verse: “Whatever is Excellent, think about such things.” Really, take a second to think, what do you consider excellent? When asked this question many people choose materialistic objects or famous people they may idolize. The people we consider excellent are human beings and have all fallen short of the glory of God; for no man is as perfect as Jesus. The material objects that we consider excellent are transient and hold no value. Excellent looks are fleeting. Excellent food is eaten and digested. Excellent people make mistakes. Too often, we as Christians deem the wrong things excellent. The real question is: what does God want us to think of as excellent? The answer is Him. In the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verses 14-15, God commands us, “Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; for the Lord thy God is a jealous God…”But, think of all things He has done. He is worthy of our praise; and has a right to be jealous of all the time we spend ignoring His excellence. He created the all world in just seven days; He delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt; He gave His only son so that we may have life in Jesus' name; He is a powerful, omniscient God, and every time we fall short of His glory, He forgives us. If that isn't excellent, I don't know what is.

Let us take a moment to pray: Dear God. We are sorry. We spend too much time focusing on and idolizing other things, instead of keeping our focus on You. Teach us to use Your holy Word to remind us of all the things You have done for us. We thank You for all of the blessings and things You have guided us through. Lord, thank You for being the only ever-constant excellent thing in our lives. Amen