Do Not Grow Weary

 

     We are blessed. The blessings of God come through our meekness, our ability to show mercy, as we trust God with our lives. The blessings, the most valuable lessons, come from within. Keeping hope alive, with Christ, through any circumstances, is possible.

     And our greatest blessings are returned to us many times over as we bless others in His name.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

As for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13  

     We should count our earthly blessings throughout our lives; including our physical comforts, our loved ones, a sunny day, each birthday, the creation surrounding us and so much more. But the abundant blessings through Christ run deeper. They give us joy, peace, faith and hope. Our souls can be at rest when we give Him our lives.

     Let’s thank Him for our supreme blessedness today and ask Him to fill us with the deep assurance of a life with Him, the life that doesn’t end. Do not grow weary in doing good. Your reward in heaven awaits. We are richly blessed.

Amen

 

Shine The Light!

 

     As we have seen over the past week, Jesus blesses us in ways that are foreign to the world. We are blessed in our humility, as we walk in peace, in the righteousness of Christ, as we are persecuted and as we show mercy. Jesus continues to teach us in Matthew 5 as He calls us to continue as vessels of light.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14=16

     We are the light of the world? Only because of the Holy Spirit within us, can we share God’s light. And the purpose of sharing the light is to glorify God! What a privilege! What a gift! What an opportunity! Shine the light.

Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

Father,

We pray for new ways to glorify You this year. We stand in awe of the ways in which You work. To think you call us, “the light of the world.” Help us to keep evil at bay in these dark times. The light shines brightest in the dark.

Amen

Blessed Are The Peacemakers

 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9

     In the day in which we live, this particular beatitude may be one of the most difficult to live out. Living as a peacemaker in a world filled with hate and division, with violence and unrest, would appear to be impossible. Christians will continue to be persecuted and misunderstood. Jesus, too, was hated and persecuted. Jesus has given us this time of grace, but one day, God’s wrath will be poured out against evil as He overcomes all and restores the new heaven and earth. Count on Him.

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written, “It is Mine to avenge. I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19

     But as much as we are able, in meekness and love, we are to be all about peace. Sharing the good news, living with peace in our souls in the midst of anger and mistrust. Blessed are we.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, be at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

     “If it is possible…as far as it depends on you…” Peace won’t always be possible and we need to stand firm on our faith and not compromise with the world. Jesus understands and He will guide our words and our steps as we follow in His peace. Blessed are we.

Jesus,

Your peace is greater than the world around us. Your peace is from within. Help us to be peacemakers, as much as we can, in the ways you show us.

Amen

 

 

Blessed Are The Merciful

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7

     God promises us the gift of His mercy as we show mercy to others. Mercy is giving others the benefit of the doubt, of believing the best in others, of showing compassion and kindness, of feeling another’s sorrow, often giving to others when we believe they really don’t deserve it.  

     God has shown us His great mercy. We fail again and again, but His mercy never ends. It is new every morning. Great is His faithfulness.

Through the Lord’s mercies, we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

     The world today appears to revolve around hate and anger, eager to dredge up the faults of others and show them to the world. Let’s walk in kindness, showing mercy, encouraging others, believing the best. And blessed are we.

Jesus,

Give us Your unending mercy each day. Thank You for Your perpetual forgiveness. Give us the ability to show mercy to others. Help us to see others with the same mercy and compassion You have shown us.

Amen

Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

     Jesus is the bread and water of the spirit. When we long to be more like Him, to be filled with His righteousness, He develops in us a hunger and a thirst for His wisdom, for His knowledge, for His Word, for His righteousness. Do you have a hunger for truth? Do you long to be completely, spiritually filled?

Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. John 7:38

     This promise is for you. You will be blessed. You will be filled. You will have the righteousness of Christ.

It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30

Father,

Fill us with the living bread and water of life and fill us up with Your holiness and righteousness in this crazy world. We hunger and thirst for more and more of Your truth and light.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4

     The holy arms of Jesus will wrap themselves around us when we mourn. Death and sorrow will find us throughout our lives. His comfort is beyond this earth. His comfort is supernatural, raising us above our human struggles with grief. We can’t do it on our own.

     Our earthly minds and bodies find it difficult to manage a deep loss. What will we do? How will we take our next step? How do we cope? What will life look like without her/him? Jesus wept for His good friend. He went through deep agony. He understands our earthly sorrow, and He knows the way through.

     Count on Him. Lean on Him. He will ease our burdens with His unconditional love.

Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

     Rest from our burdens. Rest from our weariness. Rest for our souls. Hope in the depths of darkness. He is close. Blessed are we.

Lord,

We praise You for the ways You comfort us and ease the burdens of life. They are heaven-sent and we look to You. Comfort those in grief today.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Blessed Are We

    Some of the words of Jesus in His sermon on the mount, are called, “The Beatitudes,” meaning, “happy”, “rich”, or “blessed.”  These verses are filled with reminders of our blessings. The blessings from our Lord will not mirror society. The blessings of God turn the world upside down and inside out. We are blessed.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God. Matthew 5:3

     The word, “poor,” conjures up a vision of lack, not enough, but in essence, Jesus teaches us here to be humble, to be poor in spirit, to look to Him first.

     Again, in verse 5, God promises to bless the meek, (not powerless), but rather the humble in spirit. We find our power in Him, our Most-High God.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

     Notice in verse 3, ours is the kingdom of heaven and in verse 5, we will inherit the earth. Earthly and heavenly blessings! And He will lift us up.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10

     Become humble (poor in spirit), meek in service and He will lift you up and fill you up.

Lord,

The poor in spirit are blessed, as we humble ourselves before You. Fill us today with the blessings of the Holy Spirit and lift us up.

In Jesus name,

Amen