Devotionals by
THURSDAY October 1, 2026
Will You Inherit a Blessing?
...not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:9
Christians all over the world have gone through the most horrendous persecution at the hands of evil men. The atrocities committed against them are unthinkable. Imagine having your loved ones murdered right in front of your eyes! How we need to have compassion for other believers who have endured so much hatred.
As we move forward into verse 9, Peter continued to teach us how to have self-control, and how not to respond to hostile people when we are being persecuted and prosecuted. It is in our very nature to repay evil for evil. When I look at our country's history, when our forefathers gave us the Constitution of United States, they gave us freedom: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble, and freedom to petition. Yet it is God who has ultimately given us freedom––freedom from sin. Jesus said: “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).
In some of our states, the governing authorities are, trying to take away our freedoms, little by little; parental rights and the right to bear arms are constantly under attack. Legislators, lawmakers and other civil groups in America are using legislation to continue fighting for freedom. Yet we are living in the Last Days, where things are becoming worse and worse. There may come a day when those in authority may even arrest you. If that happens, do not fight or struggle. Calmly allow the wrongdoing––surrender and do not retaliate. You were called to this! Think rationally and spiritually. We are not to act violently, but in love and peace. If we are killed, then we will be in the presence of the Lord! The faithful Christian martyrs knew as they died that they would inherit a blessing––eternal life.
We must all have the spirit of martyrdom, though we may not all die martyrs.
~George Whitefield~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
About Somebody Loves You
About Raul Ries
Raul Ries is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Golden Springs and President of Somebody Loves You Ministries. After his miraculous conversion in 1971, Raul began to read and study the Bible extensively even though he had a limited education. In 1974 he began a home Bible study with seven other committed individuals. Soon, he started to preach and counsel youth during the noon hour at his former high school, Baldwin Park High. Calvary Chapel West Covina grew out of Raul's home fellowship, as well as his Kung-Fu studio, and was soon meeting weekly at an old converted Safeway store. In 1993, the congregation moved to Diamond Bar and occupied a 101,000 square-foot corporate building on 28 acres. Calvary Chapel Golden Springs (as it is now called) draws between 10,000 - 12,000 in attendance weekly.
Author of several books, including Fury to Freedom (the story of his early life and dramatic conversion), Raul Ries has also produced three films: Fury to Freedom (feature film dramatization of the book); A Quiet Hope (a riveting and stirring documentary detailing seven soldier's accounts of the Vietnam War and its aftermath); and A Venture in Faith (a documentary of the history of the Calvary Chapel movement).
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(909) 396-1884