June 12, 2010
Matthew 5:17-20
Such a ‘scary’ passage on first reading… Like, can anyone ever be RIGHTEOUS before God… even the Pharisees and teachers of the law did not qualify. Then, God shared His thots…
Inspired thots:
1) Certainly God’s word will be fulfilled. Nothing is written for nothing in God’s word. JESUS is the Fulfillment of God’s word! The LAW is all about HIM. But He was not recognized…John 1:10,11. How sad.
2) How can one ‘surpass’ the righteousness of the Pharisees and teachers of the law before they can enter the kingdom of heaven? Is it so difficult for anyone? But certainly God will not write down something He does not expect us (me) to achieve… I believe it!
3) How does one get into the kingdom of God? Do I qualify to get into the kingdom of God? Yes, I believe so; I know so… because I have confessed Jesus as my Lord and Saviour ~
John 3:16 shows us the way. So, the ‘righteousness of the Pharisees and teachers of the law’ is like… so mechanical.. religious, yeah.. not by faith through belief. Actually it is simple but they ‘missed the boat’ because they were expecting THEIR OWN EXPECTATIONS to be fulfilled. Hmmm… good thot… I must keep that in mind. Yup, Isaiah 55:8,9 comes to mine. If it is NOT of God, nothing good happens.
4) Again today, RIGHTEOUSNESS…it is an easy achievement. Stay with Jesus… and I will get it.
5) But remember the Beatitudes, persecution may follow righteousness as I hunger and thirst for it, as Jesus did, because others do not embrace Him.
Unbelief… it can close one’s mind and heart, hardening it against the truth… wow.
A daily time out with the Lord Jesus, to hear Him speak to ME. I am asking the Lord to share HIS thoughts with ME, to teach me more about Himself, and how I can be drawn closer to Him... for 'His thoughts are not my thoughts and neither are His ways my ways' Isaiah 55:8,9. This blog is not a theological exegesis. This blog is to record down the INSIGHTS & INSPIRATIONS of God's Word to me; speaking LIFE into my life for Abundant life! :)
Showing posts with label Be Attitudes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Be Attitudes. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
Being COMPLETE ~ Wholesome
June 11, 2010
Matthew 5:10-16
Beatitude #8
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Inspired thots:
1) I see the promise “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” repeated as in the FIRST beatitude. Hmmm. . is there a connection, Lord? And ‘persecuted because of righteousness…” wasn’t it in Beatitude #4 that one should ‘hunger and thirst after righteousness’?
2) So, logically, if one ‘hungers and thirsts after RIGHTEOUSNESS’, they will be ‘PERSECUTED’? but their reward is ‘the KINGDOM of GOD”?
3) Why would people be persecuted for RIGHTeousness? Don’t people desire to be right and do right? Are we to hold the RIGHTEOUS in high esteem? This is a strange world. But Jesus says, ”They will hate you because they hated me first” .. and Jesus did all things RIGHT! (John 15:18-25)
4) So, whatever I lack, I can look to my Heavenly Father who will supply my need, and I should be hunger and thirsting after (Jesus’) righteousness, to fill my life which will open myself to (man’s) persecution, which I must be prepared with the right (be)attitudes!
5) Such a mouthful! Such depressing or scary news! But God is great! I am reminded of my purpose on planet earth in verses 13 and 14. I am the SALT of the earth… I am the LIGHT of the world….
6) I am of use… (salt and light). God is true to His word when the psalmist proclaimed His works are wonderful ~ Psalm 139:14. BUT if I am not put into the proper use, I lose my ‘functionality’ and is good for nothing! I must choose :- to be useful as I have been created for the purpose OR to be good for nothing! And if the LATTER, I do not fare well either; I will be ‘thrown out and trampled’ on anyways.
7) Reminds me of the ram caught in the bushes… it will die anyway. Will it be a glorifying death as a sacrifice to God by Abraham or a pain and slow death if left in the bushes, since it can't save itself? This Sunday School story of Jehovah Jireh has changed my perspective ever since I heard of this version ~ a sacrificial lamb (ram) to the glory of God! Hallelujah! May God enable me…
Matthew 5:10-16
Beatitude #8
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Inspired thots:
1) I see the promise “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” repeated as in the FIRST beatitude. Hmmm. . is there a connection, Lord? And ‘persecuted because of righteousness…” wasn’t it in Beatitude #4 that one should ‘hunger and thirst after righteousness’?
2) So, logically, if one ‘hungers and thirsts after RIGHTEOUSNESS’, they will be ‘PERSECUTED’? but their reward is ‘the KINGDOM of GOD”?
3) Why would people be persecuted for RIGHTeousness? Don’t people desire to be right and do right? Are we to hold the RIGHTEOUS in high esteem? This is a strange world. But Jesus says, ”They will hate you because they hated me first” .. and Jesus did all things RIGHT! (John 15:18-25)
4) So, whatever I lack, I can look to my Heavenly Father who will supply my need, and I should be hunger and thirsting after (Jesus’) righteousness, to fill my life which will open myself to (man’s) persecution, which I must be prepared with the right (be)attitudes!
5) Such a mouthful! Such depressing or scary news! But God is great! I am reminded of my purpose on planet earth in verses 13 and 14. I am the SALT of the earth… I am the LIGHT of the world….
6) I am of use… (salt and light). God is true to His word when the psalmist proclaimed His works are wonderful ~ Psalm 139:14. BUT if I am not put into the proper use, I lose my ‘functionality’ and is good for nothing! I must choose :- to be useful as I have been created for the purpose OR to be good for nothing! And if the LATTER, I do not fare well either; I will be ‘thrown out and trampled’ on anyways.
7) Reminds me of the ram caught in the bushes… it will die anyway. Will it be a glorifying death as a sacrifice to God by Abraham or a pain and slow death if left in the bushes, since it can't save itself? This Sunday School story of Jehovah Jireh has changed my perspective ever since I heard of this version ~ a sacrificial lamb (ram) to the glory of God! Hallelujah! May God enable me…
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Be Attitudes ~ MY attitude
Inspired thots:
Matthew 5:5 ~ Beatitude #3
Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.
a) John 17:14,16 says we are ‘not of the world’; so what in the world do we want of it? I don’t understand Lord. Share your thots with me.
b) Psalm 73:25 says ‘and earth has nothing I desire besides you’. Before that, the verse starts with “Whom have I in heaven but you?”
c) Ohh…I get it now. God is all encompassing…He is in heaven and on earth. When I seek Him (meek), He shall be found of me (there is only ONE thing precious on earth.. that is God, and God alone!).(Jeremiah 29:13,14)
d) And when I have God, I have EVERYTHING! Thank you Lord!
e) Ps 23:1 ~ ‘the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want’. When I have Jesus, I have no needs ~ thus, no wants since Jesus supplies all.
Matthew 5:6 ~ Beatitude #4
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
1) When I am hungry or thirsty, I eat or drink to keep my body nourished to maintain my wellness; for as I grow old, I value good health more and more.
Matthew 5:5 ~ Beatitude #3
Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.
a) John 17:14,16 says we are ‘not of the world’; so what in the world do we want of it? I don’t understand Lord. Share your thots with me.
b) Psalm 73:25 says ‘and earth has nothing I desire besides you’. Before that, the verse starts with “Whom have I in heaven but you?”
c) Ohh…I get it now. God is all encompassing…He is in heaven and on earth. When I seek Him (meek), He shall be found of me (there is only ONE thing precious on earth.. that is God, and God alone!).(Jeremiah 29:13,14)
d) And when I have God, I have EVERYTHING! Thank you Lord!
e) Ps 23:1 ~ ‘the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want’. When I have Jesus, I have no needs ~ thus, no wants since Jesus supplies all.
Matthew 5:6 ~ Beatitude #4
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
1) When I am hungry or thirsty, I eat or drink to keep my body nourished to maintain my wellness; for as I grow old, I value good health more and more.
- a) Similarly, that’s how I should maintain my spiritual wellness ~ to desire righteousness, like God is, for that was His original plan.
- b) Of course, all parents want the best for their children. God wants us to be like Him. Only sin came in the way.
2) How can I seek or learn righteousness? Only from the Father who is righteous. Just as the saying goes, “Anak rintek, bapa borek”, we can pick up righteousness from our Heavenly Father. God’s word shows us how.
Matthew 5:7 ~ Beatitude #5
Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.
1) compatible to my Life Principle (Matt 7:12) “Do to others what you want others to do to you”; as well as “give and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38)
2) Mercy in every aspect for a life of wellness, just as our Heavenly Father is merciful to me, in every part of my life. If not, I stand condemned. Praise God for Romans 8:1
3) Therefore, let me exercise mercy on people without bias regard of them in any way but rather, look upon others with love (at least God’s love) for “love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Pet 4:8). I am learning that it is better for me and others that I exercise love and mercy (or compassion) on others than self-gratification or justification. Thank you Lord!
Matthew 5:8 ~ Beatitude #6
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Awesome Promise… but do I qualify? No small or laughing matter… to see God. One must be holy or be ‘zap’? Who am I to see God, less stand humbled in His presence?
Inspired thots:
1) It is not impossible… to see God. (Luke 1:37) And if God’s word says so, “it is so” (Isa 55:6,7)
2) But You are a holy God; how can sinful I come into Your presence, except through the blood of Jesus? Praise God! With Jesus, there is always a way… when there seems to be no way.
3) So much to unlearn and take off from my heart, spirit and soul. Body can be de-toxed; how about the spirit and heart? Such a challenge.. step by step, here a little, there a little… and I shall get there. Thank you God for a willing heart, to take the first step.
Matthew 5:9 ~ Beatitude #7
Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God.
Inspired thots
1) ‘Peacemaker’ – one who makes peace. Not quarrelsome nor creates disharmony… hm.. one who does that is called ‘son of God’; Wow! Such an honour, so simple to qualify. God must really be serious about ‘peace’ amongst man.
2) ‘In mathematics terms’, inversely, the son of God is then a peacemaker. How appropriate a reminder during this time when riots are rampant and protests ring at every nation.
3) As a child of God, I must also be a peacemaker. To be a peacemaker, I must want the good of others above self, just like Jesus. Hmmm… ok…lets do it.
- a) Turn the other cheek
- b) Be humble
- c) No need to have the last say/word
- d) Think the good in others, not the bad.
- e) The list can go on, but to be realistic, I will start with the above.
Thank you Lord, the this daily ‘bread’ of revelation~
Saturday, July 3, 2010
A Grieving God...
June 7, 2010
Matthew 5:4 Beatitude #2
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Inspired Thots:
Mourning is quite a strong word for sadness… it is grief.
a) What in my life can be so great a sadness? It is usually used for the loss of a loved one. The only loved one I have lost so far in my life is my grandmother, whom I was very close to. Indeed TIME has eased the grief; I don’t mourn for her so much though I am reminded of her.
b) 2 Cor 2:17 calls for us to comfort those who mourn, (in grief) that they may not be overwhelmed by grief. God is good… He always wants to restore us to wellness.
c) What grieves me now? Not so much the loss of MY loved ones.. it is God’s loved ones ~ those who are lost without Jesus. I need to pray for their salvation. Jeremiah 8:21 shares how God’s heart is crushed because His people are crushed. He, the Comforter, is in sorrow.
d) When I am in sorrow, God is my Comforter. But when God is in sorrow, who is HIS comforter? Help me Lord to minister to you…
Matthew 5:4 Beatitude #2
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Inspired Thots:
Mourning is quite a strong word for sadness… it is grief.
a) What in my life can be so great a sadness? It is usually used for the loss of a loved one. The only loved one I have lost so far in my life is my grandmother, whom I was very close to. Indeed TIME has eased the grief; I don’t mourn for her so much though I am reminded of her.
b) 2 Cor 2:17 calls for us to comfort those who mourn, (in grief) that they may not be overwhelmed by grief. God is good… He always wants to restore us to wellness.
c) What grieves me now? Not so much the loss of MY loved ones.. it is God’s loved ones ~ those who are lost without Jesus. I need to pray for their salvation. Jeremiah 8:21 shares how God’s heart is crushed because His people are crushed. He, the Comforter, is in sorrow.
d) When I am in sorrow, God is my Comforter. But when God is in sorrow, who is HIS comforter? Help me Lord to minister to you…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)