Father, I worship you and give YOUR Name the praise. For you alone are worthy of all the praise.
I invite you to step in this place and take control. I submit to Your will, Your Word and Way. Direct my steps and guide me on my way. What is it that I can do for You, Body of Christ and Kingdom today.
Father, I stand in the gap for my brothers and sisters asking You on their behalf to send ministering angels to each of them who are poor in spirit, mourning, meek and lowly, hunger and thirsty after righteousness. peacemakers, those who are persecuted and those who are broken-hearted. They need You and they need a Word. Show them that You got them and they won't fail because You have never failed us. Help them not to lose their flavor (salt) and zest for living holy, help them not hide and tremble with fear of the circumstances and situation that appear bleak. If they candle or light has grow dim or perhaps gone out re-ignite them with Your fire from on high In Jesus Name I pray. Amen
Today's Walking in the Spirit Key
Draw on your ability to love. Love makes room for forgiveness. To forgive yourself and others is essential to unlocking God's blessings in our lives. Here's how I remember to love, I focus on how God loves me in spite of my ways, actions, and at times my character defects. Love everybody as you love yourself.
Thought for Today
It is not business as usual, things have definitely turned and shifted in atmosphere. We are not familiar with this particular detour in road. Many of things we see happening today are things that God is exposing, tearing up and it is He who has the final say in what will stay and what will go. Reading the newspaper or watching the news reports it appears the world has gone to hell. Everywhere you turn there is murder, mayhem and disaster. You may be experiencing first-hand the murder, mayhem or disaster but I want to tell you do lose your flavor-stay salty.
When Jesus began his ministry in the earth it was a similar time and very similar things were going on then. It appeared the world had gone to hell. But Jesus caused turning and shifting in the atmosphere. He told the multitudes (masses) "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." Matthew 5:17-18 NIV In a nutshell, we must go through it. What God has spoken will come to pass. There are blessings, curses, and judgments to be fulfilled and they are attached to us.
In Matthew 5, we see Jesus began preaching (sharing the Good News) and teaching (instructing in the Law, and oracles of God). The first part of His message is that of hope and blessings on those who were facing trying circumstances but were maintaining (keeping) their saltiness (flavor). Yes, they were poor, mourning, oppressed (meek), pure in heart, peacemaker (those trying to keep the peace), and those that were being (persecuted--talk about, lied on). In short, they looked us and were facing messed up situations. But notice, after Jesus told them how blessed they were he preached another Word to them that said, stay salty and keep the lights on!
You maybe experiencing all hell breaking lose all around you but don't you turn the Lights out and don't lose your saltiness. God put a light (hope, blessings, peace, love, joy, and talent) in us--the world didn't give those things to us and the world can't take them away. I don't know if you know this but everything good, bad or indifferent has occurred in your life; shaped your life; given you your flavor (character, identity). I had a job once that I knew I had been blessed with to stretch me and help develop my character. Working in an environment that is not easy and among clicks of folk who test your character can be well I say--trying. I walked by faith, refused to hide my light, I did experience frustrations and vexations but I also grew. I grew in my walk with God, I learned to pray more and walk in the spirit more. God's grace was sufficient for me. But, when I no longer had the grace for that place it was time to move on.
God will grant you favor and grace to endure whatever you are going through right now and bless you in the midst of your storm, And guess what? (say what!) Even though it is dark, deary and the rains are torrential the sun will shine again and we can come outside. Be encouraged.
Today's Scripture Reading Matthew 5 NIV
1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The Fulfillment of the Law
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Murder
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Adultery
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Divorce
31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Oaths
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Eye for Eye
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
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