In God we are blessed and loved beyond measure. In the manner that we invite Him into our lives we can receive guidance, healing and a spirit of giving to share His love with others.
We are capable of loving others unconditionally because of His agape love for us. While we were yet sinners God sent His Son to save us.To Him be all the glory!!!!
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unending faithfulness and love for me. How could I ever be grateful enough for what Jesus did on the cross to change my life forever? As I face each moment today, I pray I will honor You by being courageous for Your righteousness. Please guard my heart against fear, judgment and selfishness. Always let my courage to do the next right thing be a reflection of Your perfect grace, mercy and love! In Jesus' name, amen. First5
Hineini (Hebrew, "Here I Am")
On this day may I be present to the Miracle of being alive.
May I reach out to those who are suffering and may I use my voice as a force for good.
May I have the courage to do what is right, not what is easy.
May I have the strength to shine a light in the darkness.
May I not distance myself from myself.
Joanne Fink
During the wilderness wanderings there came a wonderful moment. God had instructed Moses to build a tabernacle in which he would dwell. Once the project was complete, the majestic cloud, which had hovered above them, descended from on high and entered the holy place. From that moment on every child of Israel could point to the tabernacle and say, “God is in there.”
Gesture to your heart and say, “God is in here.” On the day you decided to follow Jesus, an unseen miracle occurred. The Holy Spirit descended from the heavens, ever spinning until the moment the motion stopped directly over your body. He took up residence within you. He turned your heart into his tabernacle. “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV). Max Lucado
Matthew 5:1-10
5 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The New King James Version
The Greek word used here for blessed, makarios (meaning “happy” or “fortunate), often indicates someone who is favored by God. The Beatitudes refers to those in Jesus’ day who recognize and bear their desperate plight, and who long for God’s restoration through the Messiah. The crowd was already familiar with this terminology through John the Baptist’s proclamation; they anticipated a time of restoration.
The Kingdom of God could refer to those who mourn for Israel and for their plight within its present conditions (Roman occupation, what seems like a lack of God’s presence, impoverishment). Alternatively, it could refer to those who mourn over their personal sin or are currently enduring difficult times. Those who mourn for the unfulfilled condition of Israel will be comforted when the kingdom is fulfilled.
The meek do not seek gain for themselves; instead, they hope in the Lord so that those who hope in Yahweh will live in peace.
A metaphor for moral uprightness. It expresses a deep desire both for personal righteousness and for a world characterized by God’s righteousness (or justice). It implies that those who observe God’s commandments should do so not out of resignation, but out of a fundamental desire. Due to widespread poverty, many of those listening to Jesus were probably hungry and thirsty in a literal sense.
God rewards those who imitate His goodness and mercy. God’s kingdom is breaking in upon the world. When it does, God will show mercy to those who have been merciful to others. It emphasizes Jesus’ emphasis on God being concerned about the spiritual state of a person, not just their outward, religious purity. The idea being that they will witness God’s entrance.
The law forbade anyone who was unclean from entering the holy place, God declares that none shall see Him and live. Even the prophet Isaiah—calling himself a man of unclean lips—feared for his life when he saw only a vision of Yahweh.
The law’s call for purity allowed Jews to hope that, if they could be wholly cleansed, they would finally be able to see God. Jesus here promises this outcome; He implies that God’s people will be able to attain it.
Jewish literature of the time valued those who worked for peace. For instance, 2 Enoch reads “Blessed is one who gives peace and love”. Those whose lives reflect the ethics of Jesus will be clearly identified as children of God. Faithlife Study Bible
The Beatitudes are comprised of three elements: a pronouncement of blessing, a quality of life, and a reason why the recipient should be considered blessed. The second element does not describe different groups of people, but a composite picture of the kind of person who will inherit Christ’s kingdom. The third element looks ahead to some aspect of the coming kingdom.
blessed (Gk. makarios) Strong’s #3107: This Greek word is derived from the root mak, which means “large” or “lengthy,” and means “fortunate” or “happy.” The Greek word was used in Greek literature, in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the OT), and in the NT to describe the kind of happiness that comes from receiving divine favor. The word can be rendered happy. In the NT it is usually passive; God is the One who is blessing or favoring the person. The NKJV Study Bible
Luke 6:20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said:“Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
John 16:20 Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
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