3-3-24: Reviled By The World

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” Matthew 5:11 We come to the Lord’s last statement in the Beatitudes. There issome debate whether this is the 9th beatitude or a continuation ofthe 8th one. Personally, I see this… Continue reading 3-3-24: Reviled By The World

3-2-24: Their’s Is The Kingdom

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10 We come to the end of the eighth beatitude and find the same phrasewe found at the end of the first beatitude – “for theirs is the kingdomof heaven”. This is the reason the people have come… Continue reading 3-2-24: Their’s Is The Kingdom

3-1-24: Wait, What?

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10 The Lord comes to the eight beatitude. Like the others before it, this one stuns His audience and us. He just said told us His children aretransformed into God’s image. This is an evidence that they belong… Continue reading 3-1-24: Wait, What?

2-29-24: Peacemakers

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the childrenof God.” Matthew 5:9 Israelites prided themselves in being the children of the true and livingGod. They were the chosen nation. Moses told Pharaoh, “Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: And I say unto you, Let my son go, that he may… Continue reading 2-29-24: Peacemakers

2-28-24: God’s Peace

“Now the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace…”. Galatians 5:22 The word “peace” is a common word in scripture. It is used about 300 times in the Bible, 92 times in the New Testament. When the Lord says “blessed are the peacemakers” He uses a compound word that combines the normal Greek word… Continue reading 2-28-24: God’s Peace

2-27-24: Peacemakers

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9 The Lord continues. Just a few minutes into the sermon on the mount He has already turned Judaism (and all organized religion) upside down. We mustnot forget the flow of what the Lord is presenting. To enter God’s kingdom one… Continue reading 2-27-24: Peacemakers

2-25-24: Pure in Heart? Impossible!

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 The audience at the Sermon on the Mount is learning very quickly that the life Jesus is talking about in the kingdom of God is not possible. They know their hearts and they know they do not meet these standards. That is… Continue reading 2-25-24: Pure in Heart? Impossible!

2-24-24: The Beatitude Shift

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.” Titus 3:5 The Lord is only five verses into the Sermon on the Mount and already his audience knows this is not the Judaism the Pharisees are teaching. In verses 3-5, the Lord focuses on emptying one’s heart… Continue reading 2-24-24: The Beatitude Shift

2-23-24: The End Of The Unmerciful

Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, “Youwicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?” And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should… Continue reading 2-23-24: The End Of The Unmerciful