Good Samaritan Ministries

09/17/2025

Loving Our Enemies

Luke 6: 27-28 “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you. Bless them that curse you and pray for them which despitefully use you.”

As stories of the persecuted church reach us, we learn about Christians who respond to imprisonment, beatings, and harassment with unimaginable grace and dignity. These saints have learned to obey Christ’s command to “love your enemies” even in the harshest of circumstances.

We may never face physical persecution for our faith, but we will run across people who hate and mistreat us. The most natural response is to dislike them in return but harboring ill will and bitterness chokes our witness and poisons our souls. Instead, Jesus instructs us to love our adversaries and treat them well.

This is not a feeling based on the other person’s likability or favor toward us but, rather, an action of the will that does what is best for the other person. It’s the type of love God has and, therefore, is not something we can muster within ourselves. But as the Holy Spirit produces His fruit in us, love will flow through us, even to our enemies.

When someone wrongs or hurts us, it’s an opportunity to be a witness for Christ. Rather than harboring animosity or seeking revenge, we are told to pray for our adversary. Instead of begging the Father to defeat our enemy, we can ask Him for the strength to express genuine Christlike love in the face of opposition. That’s the kind of prayer God is delighted to answer. And when we are privileged to meet the need of one who despises us, we might just see an amazing change in his life.

02/22/2025

Philippians 2:6-8
"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
We aren’t accustomed to the downward mobility that brought Christ to the manger and then to the cross. In fact, our thought processes are the very opposite of God’s.
We think “up.” By our human standards, we want more recognition, more achievements, more praise—more us.
But Jesus thought “down.” He chose more humility, more service, more sacrifice.
We tend to think in terms of self-promotion. But Christ thought in terms of self-emptying: “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).
We think of how we can have more self-gratification. But Christ thought of how He could serve: “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
We think of our comfort. But Christ thought of the Father’s will: “I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29).
Our thinking may bring short-term success, but Christ’s sacrifice bought our salvation.
So today let Philippians 2:5 instruct us, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

09/05/2024

The God Who Relates to Us
John 15:14-17 “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.
As much as our heavenly Father cares about our salvation, He also places high priority on another aspect of our Christian life: He is interested in building a relationship with you and me—the kind that Jesus built with His disciples
Can you imagine a higher compliment than for the God of the universe to say, “I want a personal, intimate relationship with you?” What this means is that our heavenly Father wants to make it possible for a mutual sharing of the highest order.
• He is interested in genuine conversation and listening.
• He longs to spend time with you.
• He seeks openness and transparency with no dark, hidden secrets between you and Him.
God created us in His image, which means that we can reason and experience emotion, free choice, and commitment. He wants to love us and have us love Him in return. He thinks of us not merely as servants, but as friends in whom He can confide.
That is why Jesus said to His disciples, John 15:15 “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”
It was a special privilege for the disciples to live, work, and interact with the incarnate Christ. But we are also privileged because this very day, over two thousand years later, the Father desires to build as warm and intimate a relationship with us as His Son did with those first-century followers. Our God is not some distant, transcendent deity. He’s close. And He is ever calling us to greater intimacy with Him. Won’t you respond to Him today?

06/06/2024

Something to Ponder
Strength in Waiting
Isaiah 40:28-31
God has a purpose and plan for your life, and His timing is perfect. Sometimes He answers our prayers with "yes" or "no." But at other times, He says "not now"--when that is the case, we can avail ourselves of the rich rewards that come when we wait.
One very practical blessing is that God strengthens us as we lean on Him during delays. Isaiah 40:31 tells us that "they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength." We are given the metaphor of an eagle with wind beneath his wings. It is interesting to note that the words "wind" and "spirit" come from the same Greek word--pneuma. The spirit of God lifts us up, and His energy and strength sustain us as we abide in Him.
When we are facing a difficult decision, the real key is learning to wait. There is no verse of Scripture that tells us to take control and fight our own battles. God is the one who fights them on our behalf . We are to be patient and trust in Him.
When David faced his greatest battles, he waited upon the Lord. God delivered him from destruction and set his feet on solid ground. He will do the same for you. When you abide in Him, He gives supernatural energy to accomplish the things He requires of you--His Spirit does for you what you cannot do for yourself.
In reading through the Scriptures, we see that every time one of God's saints gains a victory, he or she is waiting and trusting in the Lord. You can likewise experience victory in your life. When you have the omnipotent Creator of the universe acting on your behalf, you can't lose. AMEN

01/11/2024

12/25/2023

Christmas day service and dinner. At 11AM
Good Samaritan Ministries
2307 Hull St.
Richmond VA All invited.

12/20/2023

Why Christmas? Because of Calvary.

“Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Why did Jesus come? Luke 19:10 tells us. “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost.”

Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me” John 14:6. He is the solitary Savior, the only Savior.

I’ve often said Jesus is not a good way to heaven. Jesus is not the best way to heaven. Jesus is the only way to heaven. When you say that, a lot of people get their feathers ruffed , but I still want to tell you, apart from Jesus, there is no salvation. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

He’s not just one more Savior. If He’s not the only Savior, He’s no Savior because He said He was the only one. And if He said He’s the only one and He’s not the only one, then He’s a liar, and a liar is nobody’s Savior. I’ve got some wonderful news for you, friend. He can save anyone.

Because of the birthday of Jesus, each year you are one year closer to heaven, one year closer, if you know Him, to seeing His dear face. Who is Jesus? He is the Son of God who left heaven, came to this earth, suffered, bled, died, and walked out of that grave a living, risen Savior. He’s the one who sent me to tell you that He loves you.

09/25/2023

Finding Clear Guidance
Psalm 25:12 “What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.”
How can you be sure you’re making the right decision? Sometimes it may feel as if God plays hide and seek when you’re trying to know His will, but that’s not the way He operates. The heavenly Father wants to give His children clear direction. The real question is, what do you need to do to hear His voice?
1. Clear the pathway - 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
We have two main obstacles that hinder our discernment: sin in our life and our strong desires about the situation. To receive the Lord’s guidance, we must repent of all known sin and make our desires secondary to His.
2. Exercise patience - 2 Chronicles 20:17 “Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.”
Sometimes it takes a great deal of strength to stand still when everything within you is shouting, “Hurry! Time is running out!” But if you rush ahead of God, you may miss His will.
3. Persist in prayer - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”
The Bible clearly instructs us to keep coming to the Lord with our concerns. As we continue to pray, He will gradually w**d out anything confusing until we come to His conclusion about the matter.
4. Search the Scriptures - John 5:39 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
The Word of God has an answer for every need, and the Holy Spirit knows just how to point us in the right direction. I remember times while I was reading the Bible that a verse jumped off the page and supplied the exact answer I needed to make an important decision.
So often when we’re faced with a critical choice, all we want from the Lord is a quick answer. But He delights to meet with us to deepen our relationship with Him. Don’t let the urgency of your need keep you from enjoying the intimacy of God’s presence as you seek His will.

08/29/2023

Are you a person of Biblical Faith?

Can you be a person of real Biblical Faith? Absolutely!! We think of FAITH, like many other spiritual attributes, as belonging to someone else; but, just not attainable by us. Nothing could be further from the truth. You ARE a person of faith! Today – right now – Let's consider this together...... what is faith??

Hebrews 11:1"NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"

First, just a minute of necessary Bible study ---- Hebrews 11 is the great faith chapter of the Bible. The word "faith" is used in this chapter 25 times. The chapter tells us what faith is – – then it "calls the role" of Bible characters who walked by faith.
Note this carefully – – The chapter ends by telling us that without Christians in future generations "walking by faith", this record would not be perfect or complete. This means that we, YOU, can walk by faith today – the same FAITH by which our forefathers walked!!!

Now, let's "talk" about this FAITH that you have as a believer:
• We cannot be saved without faith.
• We cannot live victoriously without faith.
• By faith, we received Jesus as our savior.
• By faith, we find comfort in time of sorrow.
• By faith, we overcome temptation.
• By faith, we climb our own "Jacobs ladder" of prayer, to the throne room, and lay our petitions at Jesus feet.
• By faith we can have victory in life, and when our time comes to leave this world, we can have a victorious crossing into Heaven, the promised land.

The hymn writer, Fredrick Faber, was right when he wrote that great song, "Faith of our Fathers." That faith is truly "LIVING STILL" -- today!! May this be a week when we truly enjoy "walking by faith"..... Everyday!!!!!

08/19/2023

Are Your Prayers Being Answered?

John 14:12-14 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."

Jesus taught many things about prayer and its central role in a believer’s life. He also promised that our petitions will be answered when we meet certain requirements.

One condition is mentioned in John 14:14 “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” After receiving Christ as our personal Savior, we have the right to present requests in Jesus’ name, which means praying something that the Lord Himself might pray. To exercise this privilege, we must come to the Father, depending not on our own good works or character but on the merits of Christ alone. Jesus’ atoning death on the cross is the only basis for approaching God and being assured of receiving an answer to our petitions.
A second requirement is separation from all known sin. Psalm 66:18 says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” This refers to ungodly behaviors and thought patterns that we know are wrong but refuse to give up. Remember, God looks at our heart attitude. If we struggle against our sinful ways, grieve over them, and ask for forgiveness, He will hear our cries and respond. But when He sees a hard heart, He is not obligated to listen.

Next time you pray, start with words of praise to God for His sacrificial love and gratitude to Jesus for dying in your place .1 John 4:10 “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” Express that you understand why your prayers are heard—because you have a relationship with the Father through Christ, and not because of anything you have done. Confess all known sin and ask for forgiveness. Then present your requests to God with anticipation and trust His answers.

08/03/2023

Wise Reactions to Criticism
Philippians 2:1-11

How should we face the upsetting comments of other people? What is the right response to criticism?

First, when criticism arises, maintain a quiet spirit. Do not become defensive or loud, and restrain any outburst, though that may feel right at the moment. Some people will use the excuse, “I just have a short fuse. That’s how God made me.” This is a poor argument; we can’t blame the Lord when we fail to control our own bad temper. Such responses are unhelpful, unhealthy, and unacceptable.

Second, we should not attempt to defend ourselves immediately. Pride, not genuine honesty and reflection, usually motivates this response. Whenever possible, it’s wise to allow time for the initial shock and irritation to pass before offering any defenses or theories.

Third—and this is a tough one—we must ask the Holy Spirit to show us if the problem is our fault. Are the accusations true? Is it possible that a loving friend was led by God to reveal something unpleasant about us? We do not like to think that we are ever wrong; however, we know that as sinful men and women, we cannot be right all of the time. For this reason, there is always a chance that a conflict in our lives may actually be our fault. When people care enough to confront us in this way, we should be gracious about receiving and considering their perspective.

The Lord often speaks to us through other people. If He is trying to communicate something to you through a brother or sister in Christ, challenge yourself to be open to His message—even if it hurts.