Tuesday, August 28, 2012

God Has A Plan for Little Ol' ME?

Hearing God answer me is often my problem. It's difficult for me. I wonder if what I'm thinking or feeling is just ME or is it God telling me or pushing me towards those thoughts/decisions. I have no idea. I've often just sat there crying and pleading with God to just WRITE ON THE WALL. Of course He didn't. So I am still fine tuning my ears and heart to hear what He wants me to hear. 

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.  Before you were born I set you apart!” Jeremiah 1:5

“You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!” Psalm 139:16

God’s plan uses your strengths as well as your weaknesses.  We all have strengths – they are part of the plan.  We all have limitations – they too are part of the plan.  We all have seasons of life that are essential to the plan as well.  Real Success comes when, instead of constantly fighting against or trying to change the plan, we learn to identify and build on our strengths, accept the limitations as hedges of protection from God and yield to the seasons in life as God’s perfect timing. Sometimes we step off our path because of some unexpected adversity, but more often it is by us giving into temptations and sinning.
WHEN THERE IS A LACK OF PEACE IN YOUR LIFE, THAT IS WHEN YOU SHOULD STOP MOVING AHEAD.
I saw a devotional email that said it was like a sports game, as long as you stay within the boundaries you are free to move about, but the whistle gets blown and the game pauses if you step outside of those bounds. Maybe that is where free will comes into a pre-destined plan. You have a set course, but lots of movement within that course.

When we get off our path, or try to leave the game, God WILL try to get our attention.  Watch for the uneasy feelings of warning, the lack of peace IS the sign we are asking for.

If we step off our path, it's not GAME OVER, that is where confessing our sins, seeking His face, and following His instructions comes into play. God is always working to restore your life after we try to veer off the path.

“The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24
What God calls you to do, He empowers you to do. With the plan comes every resource that we will need to accomplish that plan. 

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

"Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him." Psalm 25:12

Of course, since it is God’s Plan, it is THE BEST PLAN, the goal for which it was instituted is of the highest good.  It is good in a functional sense, because the plan is certain to work, producing the ends for which it was ordained. Ultimately, it is good because it is God’s plan. bible study

The bible states over and over again, making it very clear, that God does have a plan. 

“The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation” Psalm 33:11

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord, it will stand” Proverbs 19:21

“This is the plan devised against the whole earth; and this is the hand that is stretched out against all the nations. For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?” Isaiah 14:26-27

From the Westminster Confession of Faith: “God from all eternity did by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass.”

More from this Bible.Org bible study: "The “purposed will of God” refers to God’s eternal decree, the plan which will surely come to pass. It encompasses all of the other “wills.” The “preferential will of God” refers to that which gives God pleasure or displeasure. Our Lord’s prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane reveals that the cross of Calvary was not our Lord’s desire, but it was His purpose. “God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). He “desires all men to be saved” (1 Timothy 2:4). In spite of this desire, God has purposed that some will be eternally saved, while others will be eternally damned (see Romans 9). Just as we may spank a disobedient child when it is not our desire or delight, God’s decree includes some things in which he does not delight, like the punishment of the wicked.  The “prescriptive will of God” is God’s will expressed as a standard for man’s conduct. It is God’s will set down in the Scriptures as commands, standards, or principles which govern what we do or do not do. It is God’s prescriptive will that we do not steal, lie, or worship idols. It is likewise His (prescriptive) will that we love Him and love our neighbor. God’s “permissive will” includes those events or actions of men which are, in and of themselves, sinful. They are contrary to God’s preference and to His prescriptive will. Nevertheless God uses sin to accomplish His will. "   The plan of God is all-encompassing.
When human plans fail, it is often because the planner has overlooked some detail. Something unforeseen arises, and suddenly plans collapse. This is because every detail was not taken into account. God’s plan is all-inclusive. It is based on God’s omniscience (knowing all), so that everything past, present, and future is taken into account. God’s omniscience, as we have seen, includes all things which will actually occur, as well as all things which could possibly occur. Every contingency is taken into account in God’s plan. God’s plan is for all creation, things in heaven and on earth, things visible and invisible, thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities (Colossians 1:16).   God’s plan includes seemingly insignificant details. It excludes “good luck” or coincidences."  bible study

How do we find God's Plan for US? By spending time with God. He made the plan. He is the only one who KNOWS the Plan.
By saturating daily life with His truth and continually turning our hearts to conversation with Him. simply because we love the sound of His voice and long for His presence. When we spend time with Him the plan naturally unfolds as we take every step in obedience.
I have to learn what my spiritual gifts are. What am I passionate about? What are my natural abilities? What type of personality do I have? What do other people see in me? I also need to learn what my limitations are, and accept them. They are there for a purpose.  I will learn to flow with the seasons of my life. I will trust Him to lead me down the right path, MY path that HE designed for ME. God’s plan is developed throughout a lifetime. He started it, and He will finish it.  The God who began a good work in us continues it throughout our lifetime, and will finish it when we meet him face to face. God's work for us began when Christ died on the cross in our place. His work in us began when we first believed. Now the Holy Spirit lives in us, enabling us to be more like Christ every day. God will help you grow in grace until he has completed his work in your life. Don't let your present conditions rob you of the joy of knowing Christ or keep you from growing closer to Him.  Philippians 1:6
God's Plan does NOT change.

"The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation” Psalm 33:11

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord, it will stand” Proverbs 19:21

“This is the plan devised against the whole earth; and this is the hand that is stretched out against all the nations. “For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?” Isaiah 14:26-27

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it” Isaiah 55:10-11

“From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” Romans 11:28-29

The plan of God is complete, fully developed, and as good as done, from God’s point of view: “His works were finished from the foundation of the world” (Hebrews 4:3).

From a human point of view, the plan is being unfolded progressively through history and is only partially revealed.  God’s plan is a mystery because it is the product of the divine mind of God and not the finite mind of man. It is a mystery because of the mysterious way in which God works, using sin to accomplish His good will, suffering to produce glory, death to bring about life. It is a mystery which fallen man cannot fathom apart from the illumination of the Holy Spirit.

“Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” 1 Corinthians 2:6-8

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” Isaiah 55:6-9

God’s plan should shape our plans. God’s plan suggests that we should plan. But His plan is also instructive as to the kind of plans we make. Some see planning as inconsistent with our faith in God, directing us to such texts as:

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on” Matthew 6:25a

“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” Matthew 6:34

God wants us to plan, but not to worry. Worry is the opposite of faith. Worries are based on fears that COULD occur, but have NOT. They are not based on God’s promises to us.  I think this means we should plan, and that it is foolish not to plan, especially when it comes to planning the consequences of our actions and/or sins.

I will continue to pray for my path to be clear and for courage to follow it.




Monday, August 27, 2012

Friendship


I wanted to delve deeper into what I feel and what I think God wants for me and from me in regards to friendship. This has been a very tough topic for me, my entire life. 

We make life what we want it to be. We make friendships what we want them to be. Be the friend you want to have. 

According to this latest friendship bible study I was reading there are 5 traits of a true Christian friendship.
Christian Friends Love Sacrificially For me this means you do not choose your friends because of what they have to offer. For me this includes time together. Less time does not mean less friendship.  It means I love you enough to know that as long as your needs are met, and I do value your needs, I’m good. It means that whatever makes you happy, makes me happyJohn 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (NIV)
Christian Friends Accept Unconditionally- We must love unconditionally. Through good and bad, thick and thin. The best friendships are with those who know and accept our weaknesses and imperfections. A good friend is quick to ask forgiveness and ready to be forgiving. Proverbs 17:17   A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (NIV)
Christian Friends Trust Completely- Trust is important in a friendship. It actually talked about the way I do things, putting complete trust in a few loyal friends, but not in all your mere companions because trusting too easily can lead to ruin. I agree with this wholeheartedly. I have few GREAT friends, and then some I would consider mere companions.  I do think that trusting is also not about telling secrets and such, but also about trusting that someone has your back no matter what. That someone would defend you to the ends of the earth with no question. That someone trusts in your friendship no matter how much you see or hear from the person, and vice versa.  Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NIV)
Christian Friends Keep Healthy Boundaries- This one I am not good at. But I’m gonna quote what the study said “If you feel smothered in a friendship, something is wrong. Likewise, if you feel used or abused, something is amiss. Recognizing what's best for someone and giving that person space are signs of a healthy relationship. We should never let a friend come between us and our spouse. A true Christian friend will wisely avoid intruding and recognize your need to maintain other relationships.”      1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy ... (NIV)
Christian Friends Give Mutual Edification- this one discussed how important it is in a true Christian friendship to build each other up emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Friendships are supposed to be for strength, encouragement and love. We talk, We Cry, We Listen. And it says “But at times we also have to say the difficult things our dearest friend needs to hear. Yet, because of the shared trust and acceptance, we are the one person who can impact our friend's heart, for we know how to deliver the hard message with truth and grace. I believe this is what Proverbs 27:17 means when it says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."  Proverbs 27:6 

I want those kind of friendships in my life. I’m not old, but I’m not getting any younger. I’m not so young that I NEED friendships to build me, but I AM old enough to know what kind of friend I want, and to choose my friendships wisely, to build up rather than tear down. 
As CS Lewis says “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art…it has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.” Beautiful!

Other verses to study on friendship:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Ecclesiastes 6:16
Job 29: 4-6
Proverbs 13: 26, 18:24 (Trust Completely), 17:9, 27:5-6, 13:20, 22: 24-25, 28:28, 17:17(Accept Unconditionally), 27:10a, 27:9, 12:26, 14: 6-7, 11:14, 19:20, 24:5, 27:17
James 4:4, 4:8 (Greatest friend is God)
John 15:12-15 (Jesus on Friendship)(Love Sacrificially)
1 Corinthians 13:4 (Keep Health Boundaries), 15:33(Do not be deceived, bad Company ruins good morals)
Psalm 119:63
1 Samuel 18:3, 20:4, 20: 16-17, 18-22, 30-33, 41-42
Mark 12:31
Luke 6:31 (And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them)
Romans 12:10 "Love one another with brotherly affection..."
Ephesians 4: 29-32
Colossians 3:12-14

And stories of friendships in the bible such as:
Ruth & Naomi (Ruth 1: 16-17)
David & Jonathan (1 samuel 18:1-3)
Jobs Friends (Job 2:11)
Elijah & Elisha (2 Kings 2:2)

Thursday, August 23, 2012

BeLieVe

Obey and believe, believe and obey.

Faith is nothing without works, but works are nothing without faith.
They go hand in hand. You cannot get anywhere without BOTH. 

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say that you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. James 2:14-17

Other bible verses that got my attention today:

"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger." Ephesians 4:26 (ESV)


Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (NIV)


James 1:22-25

New King James Version (NKJV)
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.


Matthew 7:21-27

New International Version (NIV)

True and False Disciples

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

The Wise and Foolish Builders

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”


James 2:14-20

New International Version (NIV)

Faith and Deeds

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God.Good! Even the demons believe that —and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]?


Proverbs 12:14

New International Version (NIV)
14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, 
    and the work of their hands brings them reward.


Psalm 1
Blessed is the one 
    who does not walk in step with the wicked 
or stand in the way that sinners take 
    or sit in the company of mockers, 
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, 
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.
Not so the wicked!
    They are like chaff 
    that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, 
    nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Savor

Key word of the week.....Savor.

Savor everything.
Sight. Sound. Feel. Taste.

The little things in life are what matter the MOST.

SO Savor life.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

The Beatitudes...My Little Study....

Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount - The Beatitudes- the Ethical Guidelines for living in His Kingdom

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, 
2and He began to teach them, saying:
3Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 
12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

I want to gather all my thoughts and findings of certain topics into one place. What better place than my online blog that will live on forever?
Isaiah 61:1 – 3 – a prediction from the Old Testament? Sounds like it could be to me!
Matthew 6:33-34 – “But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Psalm 33: 4-5 “For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.”
Psalm 112: 4-5 “They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful and righteous. It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice.”
We have to study this passage in the correct historical context, that of first century Jewish culture. We need to study the context of the words used in the passage to fully understand it’s cryptic meaning.
Blessed – often people devalue this word into meaning simply “happy”. But it is much more than happiness. It is finding the inner joy and peace that comes with being right with God. It is a happiness that transcends what happens in the world around us, a happiness that comes to the soul from being favored by God. So in this passage, it is a “pledge of divine reward for the inner spiritual character of the righteous”  The opposite of Jesus’ “blessed” in Matthew 5 would be the “woes” pronounced in Matthew 23 against the scribes and pharisees. The woes describe their character as well, but it is an evil and hypocritical character; and the woes are a divine pledge of judgment if those lives continue in their wickedness.
One interesting Old Testament connection that would make a good related study is the section in Proverbs 6:16-19, which lists the things that the Lord hates.
1.      A proud look/pride/haughtiness/arrogance
2.      A lying tongue/liars/untruthfulness
3.      Hands that shed innocent blood/murdering
4.      A heart that devises wicked plans/scheming/conniving
5.      Feet that are swift in running to evil/eagerness to do evil
6.      A false witness who speaks lies
7.      One who sows discord among brethren/pot stirring
3Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (not just financially/physically poor, but the spiritual version of poor. The oppressed, afflicted, powerless, those without hope.)People who are “poor in spirit” are those who are humble before God. – People who realize they cannot get into heaven on their own accord. They have humbled themselves and repented their many sins. Helpless and Hopeless sinners, as we all are. They are not arrogant or self-righteous or self-sufficient. You must be “spiritually poor” to get into the Kingdom of Heaven. BECOME DEPENDENT ON GOD

4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (the brokenhearted) Those who are brokenhearted will find comfort. Isaiah, in the Old Testament proclaimed that the Messiah would bring comfort to the brokenhearted, that their “mourning would be replaced with the oil of gladness (61:1-3)”. Mourning can be for the loss of anything from the death of a loved one, loss of a valued life, loss of possessions, status or health, people mourn over a lot. When people mourn they seek HOPE. The mourning that this passage focuses on is over the humiliation of Israel and it’s cause, we mourn because Jesus gave his life to save us from our sins.  “So for mourning to be “in the faith,” it will be likewise be a mourning not just for the suffering and sadness of life, but for the sinfulness that causes it. They understand that their grieving is ultimately for a world that is lost and ruined, in which God and his will do not prevail.” “So the promise is that they will be comforted. They will be consoled above all when God wipes away all tears, and death will be no more, nor grief nor tribulation (Isa. 25:8; Rev. 21:4). This is what citizens of his kingdom can expect.”  (Bible Study)

5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.(spirit of gentleness and self-control, free from malice and condescending spirit)The meek do not exploit or oppress others, they are not vengeful or violent, they do not seek self-serving power. They strive to live life as Jesus did. “This does not mean that they are weak or ineffective in life. They may be gentle and humble, but they can and do champion the needs of the weak and the oppressed.” “Those promises seem now to be realized with the second coming of the Messiah when there will be a new heaven and a new earth.” “The new creation will not be possessed by the powerful despots, the ruthless tyrants, or the manipulative schemers. It will be possessed by the meek.”

This beatitude is very much like the promise in Psalm 37:11, “But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

“Meekness and gentleness and goodness are part of the fruit of the Spirit--they are produced in the Christian by the Holy Spirit. So the direction people should follow to cultivate a spirit of meekness would be to walk by the Spirit, or be controlled by the Spirit of God so that the qualities of Christ can be produced in and through them.” (Bible Study)

6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled.(drive for righteousness/our basic/constant needs)Desire to be pleasing to God, to do what God wants, live up to His will. Part of this comes from the development of our spiritual life with God as the center.

Psalm 42:3- “My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, Where is your God?”

Psalm 63:1- “O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.”

This beatitude is saying much more than most people think. It is not simply describing those who are righteous, or who try to do good things. It is describing their passion in life--they hunger and thirst for it. Like the poor and the meek these people put their lives into the hand of God and hope for his help.” “But the promise of the King is that the desire for righteousness will be filled. Theologically this happens in several stages. The basic desire to be right with God is met by the gracious gift of righteousness. This we call justification, being declared righteous in the courts of heaven. Then, as a disciple of the Savior, the desire to do righteous works will find fulfillment by the power of the Spirit. This we call practical sanctification, becoming more and more like Christ. And in the future, when the Lord returns and establishes universal righteousness, we shall be changed. This we call glorification, being transformed into the glorious state.” “So it begins with commitment to God’s will. Then, as the spiritual walk is guided by the Holy Spirit, He leads the believer into righteousness. And the closer one lives to the Lord, the more sensitive he or she becomes to the unrighteousness and injustice in the world. The truly spiritual person then will begin to long for righteousness.” (Bible Study)

7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy. (Showing mercy to others includes both the forgiveness of the sinner and compassion for the suffering and the needy) They place showing mercy above their own rights. Show kindness to others. Heal wounds. Make no hostile stand against people in need. According to this beatitude – because of this selfless “mercy”, they shall obtain mercy themselves.

“One thing that is common to the poor in spirit, the meek, and those who hunger for righteousness is that their life is not self sufficient but looks outward for help. They understand mercy for they know their own inadequacies, dependence, weaknesses and incompleteness. And, when they receive gracious and merciful bounty from the King, they in turn know to show mercy to others.” (Bible Study) This looks into the future, to the day of judgment, when by his mercy they will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven! “not because they did enough good deeds, but because they understood how important mercy is in their own spiritual pilgrimage and having entered into that state of grace were eager to share it with others. They learned to forgive others because they were constantly being forgiven; they learned to show mercy to others because they were being shown mercy every day.” (Bible Study) Part of how we do this is by constantly remembering God’s mercy in our own lives. We must never forget to confess our sins and ask for forgiveness. It is ALL because of HIM.

8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.(inner purity and singleness of mind) “The “heart” is used in the Bible for the will, the choices. And so to be pure in heart means that the decisions one makes, the desires one has, the thoughts and intentions of the will, are untarnished by sin, and that the will is determined to be pleasing to God. From the pure of heart come only good things, acts of love and mercy, desires for righteousness and justice, decisions that please God.”   “The description of the human “heart” outside the household of faith is very different--at its worst it is constantly acting selfishly and causing pain (Gen. 6:5). Jesus said it was what came from the heart that defiled people, evil thoughts, impure desires, blasphemies and the like (Matt. 15:18,19). Nothing short of a change of heart will bring about a pure heart. Jesus does not explain that here; but his language of being born again will necessarily begin the process. The transformation from a heart of flesh to a pure heart will come by following Christ, but it will not be an easy or a swift change. But those who enter this kingdom of righteousness must have this new heart.”  (Bible Study)  This process begins with conversion when God gives you a “new heart” and it continues throughout your spiritual growth as you follow Christ through your life. We must walk in the light, meaning learning to live by the word of God. “Walking in the light, meaning learning to live by the word of God, will change the way we think so that our hearts will grow more and more pure. But as the light of the word reveals impurities, we must deal with them and change.”

Genesis 6:5- “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

Matthew 15: 18-19- “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”

This beatitude, for the Blessed, promises that they will SEE GOD. The Bible says that NO one has seen God! “(Exod. 33:18-23; 1 Tim. 6:16). People have seen appearances of the Lord in various forms, like Moses on Mount Sinai seeing the hem of the garment(Exod. 33), or the Israelite leaders eating with the Lord and seeing the God of Israel in the form of the revealed presence (Exod. 24), or an Isaiah (Isa. 6) or John (Rev. 1). .” “Here on earth the vision of God is denied to us; but one day when heaven will be opened he will be visible to our transfigured eyes. As Job said, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes--I and not another. Howe my heart yearns within me” (Job 19:25-27).” (Bible Study)

9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God. (begins with reconciliation with God and extends to reconciliation with other people) People must first understand what true peace IS. It is all about peace that embraces God’s idea of peace, living in harmony. These “peacemakers” are the ones who promote the kingdom of God.

God is the God of peace; His whole plan of redemption is to provide peace with God for those who were formerly alienated from God, and ultimately bring peace to the whole world (Isa. 9:6,7). This is the goal of the work of the Messiah. But in the human race, however, there is strife and conflict with little hope for peace and unity. The peace that God brings is not a cessation of hostilities, tolerance, or the readiness to give way. True peace that the world needs calls for a complete change of nature. And only God can give this kind of peace. It is a peace that the world does not understand (John 14:27).” “Their lives are given to working for promoting the kingdom of God, reconciling adversaries, quenching hatred, uniting those who are divided, promoting true understanding and spiritual love. And they do this because they know what true peace is. So the quality described here is one that is spiritual and not simply a political seeking of peace. And the promise is that they shall be called the sons of God. That means they will be true children of God. This adds to what life will be like in the kingdom--possession of land, stilling of hunger, vision of God, and now sonship. And all these begin when people enter the kingdom by faith, but will be fulfilled completely when the kingdom finally comes.”  “We are called the children of God” (see John 1:12,13 and 1 John 3:1).” People spread PEACE by spreading the Gospel to the world. Promoting Reconciliation. Work of the Messiah.

10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (If you want to live for God, you must be ready to say and do what seems strange to the World) You must be willing to give when others take, to love when others hate, to help when others abuse.

“In this fallen world when people try to promote peace, or champion righteousness, or live a life of gentleness and meekness, they find opposition. One would think that such a life would attract people to the kingdom of God. But the fact that it does not naturally do that tells us clearly that the race is not only alienated from God, but in rebellion to God. They might want a form of justice, but in their own terms. They much prefer power, and privilege, and possessions. And so John the Baptist called for righteousness and went to an early death. And Jesus proclaimed all the right virtues but found opposition to his message because it called for them to enter his kingdom. And if they persecuted these, will they not also oppose the disciples?”  “The beatitude is not simply for all who have suffered persecution. God, as the righteous judge of the earth, will deal with that as well. But this beatitude is for followers of Christ, those who suffer persecution for the sake of righteousness. And as the next verse clarifies to the disciples, that means suffering for Christ’s sake. They have been identified by faith with the King, they carry his name, and they proclaim the good news that there is a kingdom of righteousness and peace that is spiritual and eternal. But they will find opposition. Nevertheless, they should rejoice, for their reward in heaven will be great. God will make it up to them, and more. But the blessing stated here for those who suffer such persecution in this world is that their destiny will be a complete contrast to their present humiliation--theirs is the kingdom of heaven. And that, the disciples know, is something worth dying for. But it is not a future reality only--they have it now (and so this blessing parallels the first). People should simply be living for Christ in THIS world, living as we would in the Kingdom of God. Just like all these beatitudes have praised. But they should know that genuine righteousness is offensive to many, and so they will be prepared for opposition. (Bible Study)

11Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.