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Special Audio Messages
from the October, 2005


















My Friend, My Brother
Bishop Danny L. Carter
Regional Overseer, IN/KY/OH


Every waking moment of our lives, we operate from one of two
viewpoints: Human or Divine. I believe we all desire to look at life
through God’s Viewpoint. In every circumstance, Divine Direction will
always keep us on coarse. However, it is the carnal mind, which
devises strategies to control all things through human viewpoints or
opinions. The Divine Viewpoint will instruct the believer to love, when
perhaps it seems impossible to do so. The Human Viewpoint will
push towards revenge and unforgiveness.

How refreshing it is to be in the presence of one who’s life is characterized by a spirit of forgiveness. It’s a beautiful thing to witness. It is a sharp contrast to those who’s only goal is to "even the score." Revengeful people are walking time-bombs. Their festering bitterness searches for, and usually finds a way to explode. Often, those who suffer the brunt of their revenge are innocent by-standers. They just happen to be in the way when the volcano erupts.

As God’s children, we must never be guilty of this spirit of revenge. We must show sincere acts of kindness and forgiveness.

Proverbs 25: 21-22:

"If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to
drink.  For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee."

Do you want the Lord to reward you? Then obey His Word! The Divine Viewpoint causes us to do something that is painful within ourselves – we must forgive. Secondly, we must show that forgiveness by doing something that is profitable.

When we forgive, we release the power of God to work on our behalf.

Romans 12: 17-19:

"Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be
possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.  Dearly beloved, avenge
not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, vengeance is mine; I will
repay, saith the Lord."

"Provide things honest in the sight of all men!" Truth does not have to hide or have secrets! Jesus did everything openly and honestly.

Romans 12 goes on to say in Verses 20-21:

"Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirsts, give him drink: for in so
doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome
evil with good."

Showing kindness heaps coals of fire upon heads of those who deserve less.



In ancient days, homes were heated and meals were prepared on a small portable stove, somewhat like our outside grills. When someone would run low on hot coals, he/she would carry the container on the head. So as the individual passed beneath second story windows, those who had extra hot coals would reach out the window and place them in the container atop his head. Thanks to the generosity of a few kind folks, he/she would arrive home with a pile of burning coals on his head, and a ready-made fire for cooking and keeping warm.

Therefore, "heaping coals on someone’s head" became a popular expression for a spontaneous act of kindness one person would voluntarily do for another. "Therefore, those who had extra, provided a ready-made fire for those who had none.

The Apostle Paul said in Romans 12:21:

"Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good."

In other words – "those who have extra" must share their "ready-made fire" so that others may eat and keep warm, so that they may experience the "good" we have to give.

The only two places in scripture where this custom is mentioned are in identical settings: "Showing kindness to an offender." Paul tells us that we must overcome evil with good.

Unforgiveness leaves us cold and hungry.

If you are experiencing this today, reach out to those who have a little extra, snuggle up to their ready-made fire, and let God feed you and keep you warm.

This brings us to our text today.



Psalms 35: 10-14:

"All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from
him that is too strong for him, yeah, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth
him? False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. They
rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. But as for me, when they were
sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer
returned into my own boson. I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or
brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother."

David said (v. 13), "but as for me…"

He had no control over the actions of others, but he did have control over his own actions. He went on to say, "…when they (enemies) were sick my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting…"

David had "something extra." Church of God, we have "something extra." By the grace of God, he reached way down into his "ready-made fire," and provided for his enemies through prayer and fasting.

David said (v. 14), "I behaved myself."

David behaved himself, even in the face of those who wronged him.

David said (v. 14), "I behaved myself ‘as though…’ they were my friend or brother."

David didn’t say they were his flesh and blood brothers, but he treated them as though they were. He bowed down heavily or sincerely as one that mourneth for his mother. He put his enemies in the same category as his mother.

The following verses in Psalms 35: 15-26, go on to describe the hurt that David was experiencing (Read Scriptures). His response to wrong doing was supernatural. The flesh cannot manufacture true forgiveness. It is something that God does within us as we yield to Him. Only a supernatural heart can show kindness, or fast, or pray for those who are undeserving. Listen – I don’t mean at the price of compromise!

We have heard in days gone by, "You don’t love me if you don’t agree with me." Not so. Real love is telling the truth.

The Church of God is not based upon Human Viewpoints, but upon Divine Direction!

Through love, forgiveness, fasting and prayer, God will have a Church based upon Theocracy. But until He works everything out, we must cultivate a spirit of forgiveness. We must resist every inclination to respond as Peter often did … speaking before he tempered his response with love.

The Church of God is not rebellious. She does not steal, kill, or destroy. She is gracious, loving, joyful, forgiving and free!

She will take from her reservoir of "more than enough" and share her "ready made fire" with everyone … as though they are her friend or brother!

Psalms 25:21:

"Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee."





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Copyright (c) Bishop Danny L. Carter & The Church of God in IN, KY, OH |  Created & Maintained by Chad D. Carter & OnCoursePublishing.com
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