Friday, March 26, 2010

The Beatitudes!

As a recent 10 week Beth Moore Bible study came to a close, I decided it was time I hop into the Bible on my own again. My Pastor had told me the Gospels are great to get into at this age, so I opened my Bible up to Matthew. I began reading, and even as tired as I was I didn't want to stop. It just felt to get deeper, and deeper, and before I knew it I had come across the beatitudes in Matthew 5 and I couldn't help but read it over and over and over!

It states:
"3. God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 4. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. 6. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. 7. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8. God blesses those who hearts are pure, for they will see God. 9. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the Children of God. 10. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 11. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way." Matthew 5:3-12

How truly blessed are we? Talk about blessings upon blessings upon blessings!
God provides. He comforts those who are sad. Rewards those who are humble. Satisfies those who work for justice. He shows mercy to those who show mercy. He shows himself to those who try to keep their hearts pure. He calls upon those who love him to be his children, and he rewards those who have been caused trouble for doing the right thing.
God is full of righteousness, mercy, grace, and forgiveness. How incredible!

God's way in living usually contradicts the world's. He wants his people to give
when others take, to love when others hate, to help when others abuse. That's
what we as Christians are called to do! "Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God." Matthew 3:8 A smile spreads across his face when we
are proud to be his followers, and proclaim our faith to others! Try your best to live out your faith!

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