BULLSEYE!

Approximately 12 years ago, my sister and I were discussing success. She proceeded to tell me that her and some neighborhood friends were getting off the bus (during her teen years) and continued discussing their aspirations. They were all talking about getting married and becoming Mothers; but she told them she was going to college and study psychology (She changed her major after her freshman year to telecommunications). After she said it, they pretty much condemned her saying things such as, “You think you are so much better than us; or Don’t nobody care what you want to do in life”!

My Grandparents

It hurt her so deeply that she shared this with our Grandmother. "Not everybody will support you, including so-called friends. Most will be jealous, envious, and even criticize your efforts; because they have not set their goals as high as yours. Don't let anyone discourage you from obtaining your goals, Grandma said. "If it’s the right thing to do, many times you will have to do it alone"!

Although Jesus suffered severe persecution and prayed to God if it be His will, please remove this cup from Him.

41 And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying,“Father, if You are willing, remove this cup [of divine wrath] from Me; yet not My will, but [always] Yours be done.” 43 Now an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony [deeply distressed and anguished; almost to the point of death], He prayed more intently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down on the ground. (Luke 22:41-44 AMP)

It was the “right” thing to do for us all although many view it, even today, as a tragedy – and He had to do it alone for the salvation of many!

20 Then He gave the disciples strict orders to tell no one that He was the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).²¹From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples [clearly] that He must go to Jerusalem, and endure many things at the hands of the elders and the chief priests and scribes (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), and be killed, and be raised [from death to life] on the third day. ²² Peter took Him aside [to speak to Him privately] and began to reprimand Him, saying, “May God forbid it! This will never happen to You.” ²³ But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on things of God, but on things of man.” (Matthew 16:20-23 AMP)

I know those reading this have heard of Jesus’ death or have read it themselves; however you have received the story, you will recall how the disciples were not by His side during the persecution – even Peter denied him three times before he went to trial!

The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” (Luke 22:61 AMP)

It is lonely not to have the support of others when you know in your heart the thing you are doing is right; yet, the demonic spirit in friends, some family members, and class mates can cause you to doubt. Don’t let it stop you from moving forward. Back lashing cannot compare to the violent treatment Jesus suffered on the cross!

My Sister

He was brutally whipped with a cat of nine tails! No you could not even imagine the pain; nor would you want to. The pain we endure cannot compare. It hurts our ego and our pride, but we can shake it off and move on. 

As mentioned before, my sister began studying psychology in college, but soon changed her major to telecommunications and became a local well-known news reporter and news anchor in the city of Indianapolis. Currently she is the Community Affairs director; but still mentors other ambitious news reporters who want to pursue that career. My oldest brother also has a prominent position in the military. He is currently a Major and has earned the honor to be buried in Arlington Cemetery when he departs from this earth into Glory. He has served, as a Physician Assistant (with honors) and assisting surgeons in the Desert Storm War and the Bosnia War. He still travels abroad leading and establishing military hospital Administrations and teaching aspiring medical militia.

My Brother

This is not a brag session, because both of them by the grace of God, dodged many darts thrown at them and their success tells it all. As Jesus said on the cross, "Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing"!

While He was still speaking, a crowd came, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve [disciples], was leading the way for them. He approached Jesus to kiss Him. ⁴⁸ And Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” ⁴⁹ When those who were around Him saw what was about to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” ⁵⁰ And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. ⁵¹ But Jesus replied, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched the ear and healed him. ⁵² Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders [of the Sanhedrin] who had come out against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber? ⁵³ Day after day when I was with you in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power and authority of darkness are yours.”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Now that very day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other—before this they had been enemies. 13 Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought this man before me as one who corrupts and incites the people to rebellion. After examining Him before you, I have found no guilt in this Man regarding the charges which you make against Him. 15 No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and indeed, He has done nothing to deserve death.16 Therefore I will punish Him [to teach Him a lesson] and release Him.” 17[Now he was obligated to release to them one prisoner at the Feast.] 18 But they [loudly] shouted out all together, saying, “Away with this Man, and release Barabbas to us!” 19 (He was one who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection that happened in the city, and for murder.) 20 Pilate addressed them again, wanting to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting out, “Crucify, crucify Him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why, what wrong has He done? I have found no guilt [no crime, no offense] in Him demanding death; therefore I will punish Him [to teach Him a lesson] and release Him.” 23 But they were insistent and unrelenting, demanding with loud voices that Jesus be crucified. And their voices began to prevail and accomplish their purpose. 24 Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand be granted. 25 And he released the man they were asking for who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, but he handed over Jesus to their will. 26 When they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in [to the city] from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus. 27 Following Him was a large crowd of the people, including women who were mourning and wailing for Him. 28 But Jesus, turning toward them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that have not given birth, and the breasts that have never nursed.’30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’31 For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32 Two others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be executed with Him. 33 When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. 34 And Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing His clothes among themselves. 35 Now the people stood by, watching; but even the rulers ridiculed and sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others [from death]; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) of God, His Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him and [cruelly] offering Him sour wine, 37 and sarcastically saying, “If you are [really] the King of the Jews, save Yourself [from death]!” 38 Now there was also an inscription above Him: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 39 One of the criminals who had been hanged [on a cross beside Him] kept hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us [from death]!”40 But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 We are suffering justly, because we are getting what we deserve for what we have done; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, [please] remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” 43 Jesus said to him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” It was now about the sixth hour (noon), and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.), ⁴⁵ because the sun was obscured; and the veil [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two [from top to bottom]. ⁴⁶ And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!”Having said this, He breathed His last. ⁴⁷ Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he began praising and honoring God, saying, “Certainly this Man was innocent.” ⁴⁸ All the crowds who had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had happened, began to return [to their homes], beating their breasts [as a sign of mourning or repentance]. ⁴⁹ And all His acquaintances and the women who had accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a distance, watching these things. . . . . . . . . . . . . (Luke 22:46 – 23 AMP)