Humility

The Beatitudes are attitudes of humility.  They do not speak of those who have all the answers.  There is a sadness and longing in a few and mercy and purity in others, but in all there is a lack of guile.  This is where you find Jesus and are open to God’s love. 

Matthew 5:3-11 (NIV): 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

5/26/2019

The Living Word

Moses received God’s laws through an Angel of God. Human laws can be restricting but Moses was given the Living Word. God’s laws are life giving. They are divine formulas.  As you follow them you find God’s power is in and around you at all times.

Acts 7:38 (TLB):  38 How true this proved to be, for in the wilderness, Moses was the go-between—the mediator between the people of Israel and the Angel who gave them the Law of God—the Living Word—on Mount Sinai.

5/22/2019

Drought

Every person experiences a metaphorical drought at some point. Lack of water affects everything. God grants living water, a never ending supply of all we need. Our wickedness has caught up with us shows the people of Judah knew this and wanted to make things right with God.

Jeremiah 14:1-9: This message came to Jeremiah from the Lord, explaining why he was holding back the rain: 2 “Judah wilts; commerce at the city gates grinds to a halt. All the people sit on the ground in mourning, and a great cry rises from Jerusalem.3 The nobles send servants to get water but all the wells are dry. The servants return with empty pitchers, confused and desperate, covering their heads in grief. 4 The ground is parched and cracked for lack of rain. The farmers are deeply troubled; they, too, cover their heads. 5 Even the doe abandons her newborn fawn because there is no grass in the field. 6 The wild donkeys stand on the bare hills panting like thirsty jackals.They strain their eyes looking for grass,but there is none to be found.” 7 The people say, “Our wickedness has caught up with us, Lord, but help us for the sake of your own reputation.We have turned away from you and sinned against you again and again. 8 O Hope of Israel, our Savior in times of trouble, why are you like a stranger to us? Why are among us, Lord. We are known as your people. Please don’t abandon us now!”

5/19/2019

Pearls Before Swine

Nearly everyone has had the experience of telling another something personal only to see it used against them. In Matthew 7:6 Jesus urges discernment about what you share with others. Not everyone is reliable and, if hostile, they can discourage you and set you back.

Matthew 7:6 (NIV)  6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

5/15/2019

God Made Everything

God made everything and this link, Job 38:4-41, Job 39, Job 40, Job 41 (TLB), eloquently describes some of it. Neither human beings or chance could put this natural world together.  Our bodies and brains can do only so much, as exemplified by the animals in these passages. 

5/12/2019

Impure Spirits

In Mark 5:1-13 you can easily see drugs, alcohol or other evil in this behavior - No one was strong enough to subdue him.  Impure spirits can enter anyone as the name Legion... for we are many implies. Pray for Christ to release impure spirits so all can live in his peace.

Mark 1:5-13 (NIV):  1 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” 9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

5/5/2019