Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when {people} insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
- Matthew 5:10-12 NASB

But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on {the} evil and {the} good, and sends rain on {the} righteous and {the} unrighteous.
- Matthew 5:44-45 NASB

Today I made the mistake of reading some of the comments that I have received regarding my testimony as posted on YouTube. I expect to be attacked and am actually quite used to it. Where the enemy gets me is when the accusations and criticisms and hurtful words are couched in this thought: Dennis Jernigan, you are hurting more people than you are helping. The enemy knows I operate out of the gift of mercy…I feel what others feel…and that is a gift from God. But just as the enemy twisted my thoughts regarding my sexuality as a young man, so he tries to twist my thoughts regarding my desire to help and console and comfort.

How do I deal with it? Love does not depend on my feelings! Love is an action – a verb. Love sometimes has to do the hard thing and remind people that sin occurs when we turn away from the law of love as established by the Lord and sealed by the work of the cross and the power of His resurrection.

I want to bless those who curse me. I want to love those who hate me. I want to be like Jesus.