Matthew 5:10-16 (NKJ) 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.

12 “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Rodney Howard Browne teaches us that when you are born again, filled with the Spirit of God and doing the works of Jesus – don’t think that it is going to be an easy ride. The devil stirred up the religious folks against Jesus and he will stir them up against you. You cannot afford to get angry and to fight with people, because they are not your problem. Neither can you back away from the truth and the power of God or compromise.

You have to realize that you cannot take persecution personally. Be bold to let your light shine brightly. God will specially bless you for your patience and your faithfulness and people will acknowledge your good works and glorify God. Matthew 5:21-24(NKJ)

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder,’ and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.

22 “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.

23 “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,

24 “leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Rodney Howard Browne shows us it is important that you walk in love and forgiveness toward your brother (or sister) in the Lord. If you have hate, anger and bitterness in your heart, your fellowship and relationship with the Lord will be negatively affected. We cannot have boldness in the presence of God with un-forgiveness in our lives. Sin cannot stand in the presence of God. Matthew 5:43-48(NKJ)

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

44 “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

45 “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

47 “And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?

48 “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

God’s word shows us that most people are kind and pleasant to those they love and who love them, but God says that we should love, forgive, bless and pray for those who are mean to us and who persecute us. When you bless your enemies, you demonstrate that there is something different about you – different than the rest of the world – you are a child of God. When you are angry and bitter, you are all bound up and in debt to the one you hate. When you bless your enemies you are released and free. They have no power over you. When you walk in forgiveness and bless your enemies – they have no power to affect you negatively. You are lifted above the fray.

Foundation scriptures: Ephesians 1:15-23

15For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which {exists} among you, and your love for all the saints,

16do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention {of you} in my prayers;

17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.

18{I pray that} the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

19and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. {These are} in accordance with the working of the strength of His might.

20which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly {places}

21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come.

22And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,

23which is His body, the fulness of Him who fills all in all.

(NAS) Ephesians 3:14-21

14For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father,

15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,

16that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man;

17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; {and} that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

18may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

19and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God.

20Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,

21to Him {be} the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

(NAS)

Rodney Howard Browne teaches that every one of us wants to know God better and we all want a deeper understanding of the things of God. Some people run into trouble because they want a deeper revelation – so deep that God does not even know what they are talking about! Or they want a new revelation – so new that God has not even heard of it! There is no “new” revelation. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The revelation is the same – it is just sitting there, waiting to be uncovered by the sincere, hungry believer. It is “new” because it is new to you ! Things are always new the first time that you hear them.

Rodney Howard Browne teaches that these two prayers in Ephesians, prayed by Paul, are also the prayers of Jesus for you. God is not withholding Himself from us, we are the ones who do not make the effort to come into His presence to receive from Him. Sometimes we make the effort to know Him better, but because we come with preconceived ideas, we are not open to hear the truth. We should be hungry for the truth, not just for “new” revelation. Pray these prayers sincerely, in faith, out loud over yourself (change the ‘you’ to ‘me’) every day for a month and see what begins to happen! Do not forget to also read your Bible daily with a humble (teachable) spirit. I believe that you will begin to grow incredibly in the things of God.