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Ra'Von Bonner a.k.a The Rev

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This messaged was inspired by God to urge us towards surrender and obedience. Adversity is going to come after God’s people. We can live out James 1:2-4 or we can live out Proverbs 24:10.

Our feelings are real. What we went through really happened! How do we embrace those feelings and place them at the feet of Jesus? Not dismiss them, but to not be driven by them. Adversity does not excuse disobedience. And disobedience did not remove the cross.

Let us be vulnerable. Let us be real. While the devil is trying to place bitterness in you, God is trying to bring the anointing, gift, and fruit up out of you!

When you lose, please don’t lose yourself. Jesus loves YOU!

Happy Monday!

- Rev by @ravonbonner_

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19 days ago

The game of football is my first love. I miss the game every day. I miss meeting a linebacker in the A gap. I love seeing the safety rotation and knowing where the blitz is coming from. The crowd, the band, and even the crazy student sections at away games that would yell “Boner” when I ran out of the tunnel.

I’m trying to process how things turned out vs how I had envisioned it would be. Sometimes I wonder if I had a more mature perspective sooner, then I would have ended up in the NFL. I could have bought my momma the house. I could have given my sister whatever she needed. I could have been a man that could provide for a wife and kids.

The reality is that not everyone can make it. Even if you are good enough and I’m not saying that I was, there just aren’t enough spots. It hurts that God didn’t even allow me to have a pro day or participate in any rookie mini camps. Maybe the mensicus tear saved me from what I couldn’t see. Maybe going to the NFL would have pushed me away from God. Or maybe, just maybe there are people who needed me to not make it in order to do what I’m doing now. I must combat the lie that I am a failure.

I went from seeing myself on campus billboards, post game interviews, playing in front of 90,000 plus, and having people calling and texting frequently to becoming a “nobody”. The calls and texts stopped when the touchdowns did. I became less valuable in the eyes of the world.

I had stopped working out, gained 30 pounds, and have felt lost for a long time. To be honest, I still do at times. Most of my nights I spend in tears.

“Who am I?” must come before “where do I go from here?”

I’m not asking for sympathy. I just need to be real. And this just may be something that another former football player may resonate with.

- Rev by @ravonbonner_

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23 days ago

This week’s Monday Message is not just a call to wake up, but an opportunity for humility. These messages are spoken to me by the Lord before they ever get to you. Please don’t ever feel judged or think that I’m all high and mighty. I often ask myself, “am I truly saved?”

There are too many things that I do and say that don’t reflect Christ. Things that would make both believers and nonbelievers question my faith. The message is not to all of you, but it is FOR all of us.

It is our choice to heed to the warnings. Don’t take my word for it. Please read the Scriptures for yourself and take God’s Word for it!

Have a blessed Monday! by @ravonbonner_

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a month ago

When I was 18 years, we had a track meet at Wayne High School in Huber Heights, Ohio. When lightning came, all of the teams ran to their busses for the delay. I cannot remember what urged me to go out into the rain and begin to share the gospel, but I can tell you WHO. Back then, I wasn’t “Rev”. I was just Ra’Von Bonner, a child of God. That leads to why I chose the verse below. At some point throughout my journey, the ministry became more important than Jesus without my realizing it. How can we trade Jesus for ministry? The moment that it became about how well I spoke and the perception that others had of me, I stopped being. We have more human doers than we have human beings. My life has never reflected ministry, but rather ministry is an outpouring of my intimacy with Christ. When did I lose sight of God’s love for me? I have encouraged many, but stopped holding on to that same encouragement as well. I have fallen A LOT. I strayed. I hurt people. I didn’t need 30 shekels of silver for it either. I did it for free. I’m not telling a story of where I’ve been. I’m telling a story of where I am now. I don’t want to be put on a pedestal. The only name that requires fame is Jesus. No one will be able to say “Lord I knew Ra’Von”. My name and blood is insufficient, but the blood of Jesus removes your sin as far as the east is from the west. You don’t have to show up and appear holy, but you do have to show up so that the Holy Spirit can make you holy. It’s a journey. Don’t just hate lust, anger, pride, etc. Hate the shame and guilt that tells you that the blood of Jesus is not enough. God doesn’t seek out perfect people. He came to seek and to save the lost. Have the humility to know that you need Jesus and the confidence to know that He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Please read Matthew 5:19-20 NKJV taken in Wayne High School by @ravonbonner_

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a month ago

Never would’ve imagined seeing anything like this growing up. God has shown up in ways that exceeds what I am able to comprehend. Calling it a friends trip wouldn’t do it justice. This was a family trip. Jeju Island and Seoul are 2 of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. If you have the means to travel, please do it. Don’t fall for the propaganda. There is a big world out there. Might just have to begin that tour of Asia 👀

If you ever visit South Korea, then you will understand why this song choice was absolutely mandatory.

Psalm 23 ❤️ taken in South Korea by @ravonbonner_

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2 months ago

This was a very special moment that I caught with Max, an incoming 8th grade. I did not plan for this to happen. I record some of the reps that the boys take in order to see what they need to improve on and what I need to coach better.

Often times, we see players get frustrated with themselves when they make a mistake. In life, just like football, mistakes are inevitable. How do we respond to those mistakes? How do we respond to the things that we can’t control?

I’ve had plenty of coping mechanisms. Alcohol, partying, women, porn, masturbation, isolating, binge eating sweets, etc.

I can allow the boys that I mentor to think that I always got it right or I can be honest about the fact that I often got it wrong. Still do! Coaching, teaching, mentoring, and the like are not about being a perfect example. It’s about being a compassionate and empathetic imperfect example that allows for others to be imperfect.

I do not desire for a kid to be like me. Every great man desires for those who come after him to surpass him. Be a better player, leader, teammate, brother, father, and husband than me.

God honors realness. I’m not the smartest. I am not the most resourceful (tangibly), but I am real and that is my gift. I will use that to honor God and bless others.

How will I do that?

LIVE OUT THIS:
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”

TO INSPIRE THIS:
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ taken in Cincinnati by @ravonbonner_

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2 months ago

This conversation took place on the 14th of January, 2024. It was my first Sunday in Barcelona. This was the first conversation that I had with my brothers and sisters at @icb_awaken

What was planned to be a quick bite to eat after our Awakening (Young Adult) kickoff, turned into a 3 hour Bible study. This conversation led to the Children of God community group. It led to the most impactful 6 months of my life. The God that was with me in that season is the same God that is with me now. I don’t post because I’m holy. I just want for people to truly know Jesus. Not a Jesus that has been manufactured by our feelings, but the Jesus of the Bible. I’m just a broken man that is being sanctified daily.

Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” taken in Barcelona, Spain by @ravonbonner_

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2 months ago

God gave me a choice: to delete instagram or make this page ALL about Him! Not an ultimatum, but an invitation. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus spoke about the narrow gate (Matthew 7). I don’t get to have my way and God’s way on the narrow path. Does this mean that I can’t laugh? Does this mean that I can’t post anything fun? It’s about finding joy in holiness. Vacations can be holy. Hanging out with friends can be holy. Posting to only boast about myself is not holy. “Popping your ish” is not holy. The Lord brought me back to the place where I gave my life to Him 10 years later to preach.

This sermon was titled: Exchanging Self For Christ.

Point #1: What does the Exchange look like?

Point #2: What/Who is keeping me from making the Exchange?

Point #3: Have I truly made the Exchange?

The goal is NOT to be a famous Christian influencer, podcaster, or anything of the sort. I am just a man that desperately needs Jesus and is on a sanctification journey. I hold on to this quote:

“You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.”― Jonathan Edwards taken in Higher Ground Conference & Retreat Center by @ravonbonner_

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2 months ago

Family Trip to NYC feat. Tay Ruley!

Thank You Jesus for my beautiful family. Thank You for traveling grace. Thank You for great food and fellowship. taken in New York City by @ravonbonner_

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3 months ago

John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
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Happy holidays from my beautiful family to you and yours! Let us have gratitude and remember what this time is truly about. Thank You Jesus for loving us so well.

It’s all about You Jesus! taken in JCPenney by @ravonbonner_

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9 months ago

Year 1 in the books!

I learned a lot this year with the boys. When people think about me and the boys in my group, I want for integrity and character to come to mind. Learning about the game of football is cool, but learning about the game of life is more important. If there is a character hall of fame, I want for my guys to be in it one day. When my boys become great husbands and fathers one day, when they become great workers, when they become great mentors, I just hope that they can say “Coach Bonner loved me and taught me how to be a great man”. I can hang my hat on that. I love my boys. RB’s, let’s get it! Year 2 loading!

- Coach Bonner taken in Sycamore High School by @ravonbonner_

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9 months ago

5 years ago, my graduation was canceled due to the pandemic. It is tradition for graduates to take pictures in front of the Alma Mater. Before this past weekend, I hadn’t had the opportunity to appreciate the degree. I graduated in 3 years. I was academic All-Conference and on the Dean’s List. I loved my time at this university. I met amazing mentors and brothers. I got to play in historic stadiums. More importantly than all of that, I got to spread the gospel on this campus. Seeds were planted and 5 years later I am seeing the harvest. It’s not me. I’m not really anything. I’m just a broken vessel.

In 2022, I became the first man on either side of my family to earn a masters degree. I learned a lot during my time at Temple. I began to see the leader that God was calling me to be. I was on the president’s honor roll and dean’s list once again. This time, I got to griddy across the stage as my family yelled VERY LOUD! I miss the guys. I miss South street. I miss the cheesesteaks. I miss center city. I even miss walking into E.O at 5:30am.

While these are cool milestones and accomplishments, they mean absolutely nothing without character. What good is a degree if I don’t love my family? What good is a degree if I’m not positively impacting the lives around me? What good is a degree if I’m not living out The Great Commission? What good is it to do everything right, but still forget to do the right thing?

The greatest thing that I can do is be a disciple of Jesus. I apologize to the people that I hurt and let down along the journey. No amount of degrees, money, status, or fame will make me a man worth following and submitting to. It is only as I become a living sacrifice that is holy and acceptable to God that I will then be the man that I have been called to be. It’s never been about me. It’s always been about Jesus!

Love,
Rev taken in University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign by @ravonbonner_

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9 months ago