I am amazed at the simple, yet complex truths that God's word offers us. We have to choose to look and find it, but it is true that God's word is the place that the answers to life can be found. However, know that we have an enemy that hates us is essential, for he, is eager to seek, kill and destroy...destroy our hope, our attitude, our very lives...beware!
Sometimes in the simple statements of what has become known as the 'Beattitudes'...found in Matthew 5.
Consider, 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' OR, 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.' How about, 'Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth'? OR, 'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.' Also, 'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.'
Think about 'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.' And, in our day, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons' of God.' Finishing with 'Blessed are those who are persecuted for reighteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' And, 'Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.'
Also, consider words from Psalm 30, actually you should have it open on your lap as you read this...words used there are extol.....O Lord My God...Sing praises...weeping may tarry for the night...but joy comes with the morning...O Lord, my helper!...turned my mourning into dancing...O Lord, My God, I will give thanks to you forever!
We cannot have our mourning turned to dancing until we give our mourning to the One who loves us most. We cannot be comforted when we mourn, unless we are willing to the trust the God of all Comfort with our pain. We cannot truly be satisfied in this life, until we are truly hungry and thirsty for righteousness. When we have a pure heart, we will see God....
This isn't a lesson on Matthew 5:3-12 OR Psalm 30...it is just me, thinking as I write about the people I have encountered this week, and their pain and suffering, their joys and victories...and issues that we see in the news. My point, if I am to make one, would be to live in such a way that your life extols the Glory of the Living God....not giving in to the temptations and quick fixes of this world.
It is easy to compromise, only to soon discover that you have caused yourself much pain--stay the course! This statement only comes because I attended my 'assigned' AA meeting this week. (remember, I have to write a reflection paper about it for my Counseling the Addicted class) The room was full of people who no longer wanted to wake up tomorrow with a hang-over...they each seemed to take responsibility for the place their lives had been....(my prayer is that they would stay the course, and find Divine Healing in the process.) In our culture, though, it is easy to compromise, on our taxes, with our kids or spouses, at our jobs--just watch out!
Keep your thoughts and motives pure before the Lord (think about the long-term damage the addiction to pornography has on marriages (not to mention the on-going battle that women face because they are continually objectified by men)--many are in counseling/therapy/divorce court because of this--so the 50 Shades of Gray series may NOT be the best choice for your summer read--keep your marriage bed pure--just sayin')...
And, do not be surprised when others hate you for your 'stand' on certain issues (think about scrutiny Chick-fil-a is currently facing--their founders are Christian)
Speak truth, live quiet lives, honor God, encourage others, but no, do not be taken by surprise when the world hates you...remember, they hated Jesus, too. But, He is the One in which I keep My HOPE, for He overpowered the grave!!! And, because of that empty tomb, we have hope and a future beyond what 'this worlk' and all it's imperfections has to offer!
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