Luke 6: 20-23
Looking at his disciples he said:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.”
God wants me to remain faithful to Him, no matter what happens to me in this lifetime. Poverty, hunger, sadness, oppression all can befall us. Jesus is pointing out to his disciples that the prophets all were treated poorly in this life. God calls them all blessed. I must and will live my life devoted to Him. Heaven will be my reward.
Holy Father, today I will live my life as closely to your Word as I can. Today I can endure sadness if it comes my way, because you are with me. Today I can endure anything, knowing you are with me, and have prepared a place for me. Thank- you, Jesus. Amen
Becky, transforming
pic by Nancy S, featuring Ramona
Luke 6:22 - “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man.“
If and when that day comes, wI’ll I have the unshakable, death-defying faith to truly feel blessed when hated, excluded, reviled and defamed? Is the defensiveness I perceive when faith is belittled or mocked a sign that my faith still needs strengthening? I am afraid Jesus leaves little doubt this is so. If the time ever comes in my lifetime that professing faith in Christ earns one only rejection and ostracism I pray my faith will be strong enough to to feel blessed in this state because it is for the cause of…
Luke 6:20-23. The Beatitudes Even though there were still large crowds of people from all over the region, Jesus spoke these words, these blessings, to his newly named 12 disciples. He was explaining what it now meant to be one of his followers. He explains his kingdom’s values as opposed to the world’s. These beautiful words are our pathway to following Christ. They are simply put, but difficult to follow while living in today’s world. Prayer, Gracious God, Your words are a constant reminder for living a Christ-centered life. I strive, but often fail. Forgive me. Amen
I love the Beatitudes as it gives everyone hope. They are simple and understandable things to think about during our busy, busy lives. We all need to take time to reflect on the Beatitudes as it relates to ourselves. I wake up each morning with a grateful heart and say a prayer of thanks for another day. I was taught that we should not always look for a "pat on the back" for things we do for others. We must do things for others to help them along the way.
Dear Lord, Help me to be ever mindful of others and to reach out to offer help wherever it is needed. Amen.
luke 6:20-23
As Christians the Beatitudes teach us what God wants us to know, that people are blessed even in hard times because we will receive eternity in heaven. We are blessed for having honorable qualities such as being meek, righteous, merciful, pure, and peacemakers. God will bless the world through people like this. God will not bless the world through bossy people who bully others to get their way. God will do it through people who are humble. God will bless the world through people who hunger and thirst for justice and have the desire to put things right. People who are poor in spirit are ready to be taught and guided by God. They are not arro…
Luke 6: 20-23
23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.
I feel that if we always attempt to put God’s interest first it would make life better for us. I don’t always follow this rule but I have become much more attuned to this way of thinking. What good would all the wealth, popularity and success be if I didn’t gain eternal life. So as I continue on my journey, I hope to do better in praising God first and everything else in life second.
Dearest Lord, as I ponder all the stresses I am dealing with, I sometimes forget that you…