“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10 October 30, 2024 Persecuted?! Jesus’ followers persecuted are to be envied. Is not this somewhat anticlimactic? In the words of Sinclair Ferguson, “After all, these are the very men and women the world needs.” We are reminded […]
Persecuted – Part I Read More »
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9 October 28, 2024 The history of the human race is not pretty. Peace is hard to find. Wars and relational conflicts fill up the story of life. Jesus gives high marks for peacemakers. However, the Sermon on the Mount is not
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 October 25, 2024 Moses wanted to see God’s glory. Request denied (Ex. 33:20). He was only allowed to see “the after effects” of God’s glory. On the other hand Jesus tells that the pure in heart can see God. Jesus’ disciples have
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” Matthew 5:7 October 23, 2024 When you hear an ambulance siren do you think of mercy being on its way? The irony is that the virtue of mercy has to be rescued from its misuse. Mercy is not the road to heaven. The believer in Jesus
Undeserved Compassion Read More »
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6 October 21, 2024 A friend recently described the Georgia Bulldog’s defense against Texas vividly; “these boys are playing like they haven’t eaten in weeks.” Jesus said that those who are His disciples will hunger and thirst after righteousness. We
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 October 18, 2024 “Docile, yielding, acquiescent, unresisting, compliant, spineless, weak-kneed, lamb like, unassertive, tolerant.” These are some of the words found as suggested synonyms for the word meek. Piling on further is the mockery of meekness to describe someone who doesn’t fight back
“Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified.” Isaiah 60:21 October 16, 2024 Hopefully you are thinking and praying for the nation of Israel. She is in the news regularly. God has spoken in such a
“Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.” Luke 6:25 October 14, 2024 We human beings were made to laugh in enjoyment of God’s creation. God enjoys everlasting joy. We were made in His image. However, sin has turned
No Laughing Matter Read More »
“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.” Luke 18:10 October 11, 2024 Jesus loved to tell stories that illustrated biblical truth. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector is a contrast in divine values. The Pharisee was proud of his perceived spiritual status. He congratulated
The Way Up is Down Read More »
“Because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel.” Colossians 1:5 October 9, 2024 What is your reputation like? When people hear about you what are some of the things that come to mind? High School yearbooks have been known
The Memory of the Future Read More »
