Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. -- Matthew 5:7 Probably next to love, no other character quality so defines God as that of "mercy". And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.' And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy." -- Exodus 33:19 "Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old." -- Psalm 25:6 "Have mercy on me, O God, according … [Read more...] about Devotions: Beatitudes (5) —Mercy
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Devotions: Beatitudes (4) —Hungering and thirsting for God
You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat. – Matthew 5:6 "Hungering and thirsting" for God is one of the principles of kingdom-living, Jesus teaches us here. We usually get what we want, and Jesus challenges us here to want God more than anything else, to "pant" after Him, using the figure of Psalm 63. In his temptation, Jesus retorted to Satan who tempted him to turn stones to bread after forty days and nights in the wilderness, "Man does not … [Read more...] about Devotions: Beatitudes (4) —Hungering and thirsting for God
Devotions: Beatitudes (3) —Practical Humility
You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. -- Matthew 5:5, The Message How do you measure "greatness?" What kind of person causes you to remark, "That's a great man or woman!" "Meekness" is underrated and much misunderstood today. But true meekness produces amazing greatness. Take Abraham Lincoln, possibly one of the most revered Presidents this nation has ever seen. We visit his memorial … [Read more...] about Devotions: Beatitudes (3) —Practical Humility
Devotions: Beatitudes (2) —Joyful Mourning
You're blessed that when truly broken, God gives you what you need the most. – Matthew 5:4 This is the second of a series of nine Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus has been laying down the ethics of an "upside down" kingdom in these short, pithy but profound declarations. Rather than focusing on how we feel or the way we operate our lives, or on our distinctive personalities or preferences, Jesus forces us to go much deeper and much broader at the same time. These are … [Read more...] about Devotions: Beatitudes (2) —Joyful Mourning
Devotions: Beatitudes — Poverty of Spirit
You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. -- Matthew 5:3, The Message Our culture today believes in fame for fame's sake. -- Actor Rob Lowe, Radio Interview, June 12, 2014. Jesus in his introductory sermon gives us a new way of behaving in the kingdom of God. Rather than the kingdom of power, fame, greed, and possession, Jesus teaches an "upside down" kingdom of poverty of spirit, of practical mourning, meekness, desire for true righteousness, … [Read more...] about Devotions: Beatitudes — Poverty of Spirit