03/08 Matthew 5:10
God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
PAIN
We will suffer for our Christian lifestyle. Others will attempt to harm us socially, physically or mentally. If you will God’s will you are different than the world that only wills its will. God’s will cuts across the will of humanity. Humanity’s response is either repentance and faith or rejection and persecution. There is a price to pay for following Jesus. Are you paying that price today?
Author - Clay Corvin
03/07 Matthew 5:9
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
PEACE
Founders of peace are filled with the Lord Jesus. He is our peace and without Him we cannot have peace nor can we seek peace for others. Peace is not just the absence of evil but includes seeking the highest good for another. Being a peacemaker is to work for right relations between people, all people.
03/06 Matthew 5:8
God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
SEE
Pure means unmixed or without alloy: integrity. Those of integrity deal with the world transparently. There is no hidden reason, no underlying motive. What you see is what you get. No one can serve two masters and the pure of heart serve only the Lord Jesus Christ. The pure of heart seek only the will of God.
03/05 Matthew 5:7
God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
MERCY
You have been given mercy now you are a channel of mercy. Everyone that has experienced God’s grace is now used of the Lord to dispense mercy in the world. We identify with the struggle of others. We know their struggle and we care for them. This takes change and change involves suffering therefore I will, you will, suffer with those you live with.
03/04 Matthew 5:6
God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice, for they will receive it in full.
UNJUST
We live in a world that is unjust. So many face unfair, disappointing situations every day. The poor are often only guilty of being poor and society discards them. Jesus calls us to live a life that is sensitive to the needs of the mistreated. Seek His face and He will give you a heart for change. We are change agents in the world. Be about the Master’s business. Help the helpless and work for justice in our your world.
03/03 Matthew 5:5
God blesses those who are gentle and lowly, for the whole earth will belong to them.
GENTLE
A gentle spirit, not weak but under control is balanced between indifference and anger. Learn from the Lord’s Word and His activity in you as you serve Him. Accept forgiveness. Walk in grace. Live in love.
03/02 Matthew 5:4
God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
MOURNING
We mourn because we care deeply about the suffering in the world. God will comfort us in our mourning. Sin is so pervasive, evil so destructive that we cannot bear it without the presence of the Lord. A broken and contrite hear the Lord will not despise.
03/01 Matthew 5:1-3
One day as the crowds were gathering, Jesus went up the mountainside with his disciples and sat down to teach them. 2 This is what he taught them: 3 “God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.
BE ATTITUDES
Jesus calls us to change. Our spirituality is faith based and works from the inside out. What we think affects and changes what we do. We are a part of a covenant community that Jesus leads. We are on a mission of grace and healing. We minister in the world.
2/28 Philippians 1:28-30
Don’t be intimidated by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 We are in this fight together. You have seen me suffer for him in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of this great struggle.
SAFE
You are safe in Christ. Though they may destroy your physical body they cannot touch your soul. Jesus is Lord and He is Lord of our life. You will never be alone in Christ because He will be with you. Trust Jesus and He will save you unto eternity. Persecution may come but it will not destroy you. Jesus is faithful and He will not abandon you.
2/27 Philippians 1:26-27
Then when I return to you, you will have even more reason to boast about what Christ Jesus has done for me. 27 But whatever happens to me, you must live in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ, as citizens of heaven. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing side by side, fighting together for the Good News.
THE FIGHT
Life is a fight. It is no secret what God can do but we must claim His work in us, we must stand and fight the daily fight of a Christ like life. We cannot measure ourselves by the world’s standard. We must gaze long and confident into the face of Christ and listen Him as He instructs us. Jesus is Lord and He wants to be Lord of our life. It is our choice either Jesus will be Lord of our life or the world will be Lord of our life.