S19P8 – The beatitudes: persecution rewarded

Matt. 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. When we walk as God’s children in this world, we walk with targets on our backs. While it is true that part of our walk in this world may surely result in the lost coming to a…

Read More

S19P7 – The beatitudes: God’s children desire peace

Matt. 5:9 Blessed are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will be called the sons of God. Before leaving this world, Jesus said that He would leave his peace with us [John 14:27]. This peace is our weapon against turmoil and adversity. It is an attitude of tranquility and level-headedness in the midst…

Read More

S19P6 – The beatitudes: the pure heart’s aim

Matt: 5:8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Seeing God is the great desire of those who follow him, for that vision is the fulfillment of the hope we have. Today we believe in that which we do not see, but one day that faith will be solidified and substantiated in…

Read More

S19P5 – The beatitudes: mercy paid forward

Matt: 5:7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. In scripture, we are given many instructions that follow the theme we see in today’s verse. Paul tells us that we reap that which we sow [Gal. 6:7]. Jesus tells us to do to others only what we would want done to us [Matt.…

Read More

S19P4 – The beatitudes: the thirsty will be quenched

Matt: 5:6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. This verse speaks of the availability of the amazing for those who are truly seeking it. This reference to hunger and thirst is a reference to desperation. Physiologically speaking, hunger and thirst are the body’s indicators that it is lacking…

Read More

The privilege of pressure

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-dk5k5-b276dc If we want good wine and good oil, we have to say yes to the press. When God allows us to go through the time of pressing, let us thank him for the privilege of blessing that will accompany it. – C.C.

Read More

S19P3 – The beatitudes: reward for the meek

Matt. 5:5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. I’ve heard meekness described as controlled power or a submissive spirit. Websters defines the meek one as enduring injury with patience and without resentment. Considering that Jesus is our model for meekness, I find this definition to be rather fitting. The meekness of God…

Read More

S19P2 – The beatitudes: relief for the mourners

Matt: 5:4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. The believer mourns for many things. This mourning has been interpreted as referring to our response of repentance when we come to salvation. I believe this mourning goes even deeper, as detailed in the book of Zechariah. It speaks of the mourning of the…

Read More

S19P1 – The beatitudes: spiritual poverty

Matt. 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught about the positive consequences of being of Godly character. The first character trait He addresses is being poor in spirit. This concept of spiritual poverty is not like other forms of poverty.…

Read More

S18P6 – The Characters of God: our groom

Eph. 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. The…

Read More