Rags to Riches

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:3

When we recognize that we cannot save ourselves we become poor in spirit.  We are humbled by this knowledge and at the same time God makes known to us His plan for our salvation. 

When we come to God and confess our sins, ask forgiveness and ask Jesus to be our Lord, Master and Savior, God swings the doors to His kingdom wide open for us to come in.

It May Be True, But

Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.

Matthew 5:7

It is easy to kick a person when he is down.  We are inclined to say things that may be true, but do nothing to help.  Criminals get caught, slackers get fired and people in general mess up their lives from time to time.

As Christians we need to see the bigger picture because we have all sinned and God has forgiven us.  I know, I have thought it too:  my sins aren’t that big.  Bigness has nothing to do with God’s forgiveness.  God’s forgiveness is forgiveness for everyone who comes to Him.  Our job is to take the Gospel to the world and we can do this by rejecting our mean bent to punish people and reflecting the mercy we have been shown by being kind to those who we think least deserve it. 

Being merciful costs us nothing and opens hearts to God’s love and forgiveness.

Be Ye Not Chicken

Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. 

Joshua 1:9

We say: “We are not afraid.”  But the truth is we are.  Fighting for what is right and just may cost us a friend or two or make us a few enemies.   Be strong and courageous.  It is never the wrong time to do the right thing.

Remember God is with you wherever you go.

We Keep Our Cool

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:2

What do we do when someone makes an outrageous comment to us?  Our first instinct is to get mad and that is exactly what our tormentors want.  It is no fun if we keep our cool.

We can do things to defuse the situation.  For out and out lies, laugh.  For comments about family or friends, point out that they are talking about our family or friends.  And, for totally unsolicited advice regarding personal matters, smile and say, “Is that what you think?” 

Then wrap things up by saying, “Got to go.”  And walk away.

And, we keep our cool.

Stonger Christians

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 

Thessalonians 5:11

Every day there is an army of people waiting to beat Christians up for being Christians.  They don’t like us because they don’t like us.  

Therefore, we need to do all we can to encourage one another and build one another up in our faith.  When we come to fellowship with other Christians, it should not be a time of picking at each other and arguing about what the original Greek translation of the Bible says; it should be a time when we share with each other our troubles and joys, we pray for once another and we celebrate that God loves us.    

When we encourage and build one another up, we all become stronger Christians.

God Welcomes All

For the scripture says:  Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.   For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Romans 10:11-13

God is not counting our errors or requiring us to do penitence for our sins or dismissing us because of what we look like or where we come from or how we talk.  God embraces us all as His sons and daughters; we say “We believe” and He says, “Welcome.”