The Beatitudes is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, perhaps the most famous, most inciteful sermon ever spoken. Jesus lays out the characteristics of a person who follows Him. I have heard it said that the Beatitudes do not describe who Jesus is looking for but the kind of person He wants to make you. The word ‘blessed” does not just mean happiness. Happiness is based on circumstance. It is closer to joy, which is being content regardless, or despite circumstances. But the word blessed is more like having favor from God. It is being fully satisfied. True fulfillment can only be found through a relationship with Jesus Christ (see Romans 5:1-8) and there is nothing greater than that fulfillment. That is the true blessing that Jesus offers each one of us. Let’s take a look at each blessing from the Beatitudes the next few weeks.
Continue reading “Blessed: Poor in Spirit”Tag: joy
Rejoice!: The Fruit of the Spirit
What brings you joy? Do you have joy? It’s not the same as happiness. To me, happiness is a feeling based on circumstances. Joy is contentment regardless of circumstances. That is what Jesus gives us through the Holy Spirit. That is what He gave me. Though sometimes I just need to remember His goodness, listen … Continue reading “Rejoice!: The Fruit of the Spirit”
What brings you joy? Do you have joy? It’s not the same as happiness. To me, happiness is a feeling based on circumstances. Joy is contentment regardless of circumstances. That is what Jesus gives us through the Holy Spirit. That is what He gave me. Though sometimes I just need to remember His goodness, listen to the Holy Spirit, and show it.
Continue reading “Rejoice!: The Fruit of the Spirit”Who Am I?
Who we are in Christ. That is a question many of us ask ourselves and if we remember this, we would not have the fear, doubt, shame, anxiety or lack of confidence that we often do. We would have the fruit of the Spirit…love, joy, peace…we would remember the hope that is in us. We would be encouraged knowing that we are His children, and we would have boldness to share with others so that they can have what we have. God gave us a gift, not only in the life to come but in the life we have now.
Continue reading “Who Am I?”Out with the Old, In with the New
Sometimes change is hard. Sometimes we have a hard time accepting new things. Jesus told a parable that speaks to us about the new…The New Covenant that is better than the old. Grace is more complete than the Law. We are a new creation in Christ. The old self has passed away. There will be a New Heaven and a New Earth. He will make all things new.
Continue reading “Out with the Old, In with the New”Peace and Anxiety
2020 has been a challenging year. Our world has been turned upside down with Covid, quarantines, social distancing and mask orders, business closings and job losses, racism, riots, looting, slander, elections and recounts and doubt, and all the struggles and anxiousness that comes along with that. But God says we don’t need to be anxious. That we can still have peace. Whatever the circumstance, we have much to be thankful for. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, what are the things you are thankful for?
Continue reading “Peace and Anxiety”
