Matthew 5:9

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.” Lest anyone thinks Jesus is teaching salvation by works, let me make it perfectly clear just to be a kind person who defuses problems between people will not make you a child of God. Children of God, on the other hand, are peaceful people. Jesus is not talking about someone who goes about breaking up fights and repairing relationships; He is speaking of making peace with the Lord. Everyone of these has to do with our relationship with the Lord. So how is your relationship with the Lord? Are you at peace with God? If not, be a peacemaker.

How do you make peace with God? Before I tell you what to do, let me tell you what not to do. Don’t wait until you get on your deathbed to make peace with God. Make your peace with God right now (Proverbs 27:1; James 4:14). For the unrighteous man it is his sin that separates him from true peace (Isaiah 30:1; 59:1‑2). For the righteous man, it is his pride that separates him form true peace. There is a false peace that comes from worldly security (John 14:27). The world can only give you an artificial peace. Jesus gives us true peace. Jesus said to His disciples that the words He spoke to them in the garden discourse (John 16:33) were spoken to give them peace.

Paul adds, “And the peace of God that passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” This peace is the peace that makes someone a child of God. When we desire to be in right standing with God, He will grant us the exceeding riches of His peace. This cannot be taken lightly. If you are not at peace with God, you are at war with Him. To obtain a biblical peace, you must approach the throne of God with faith and expect to be justified by His blood (Romans 3:24); and then we will have ultimate peace (Romans 5:1).

Word for Today
Truancy ‑ The act or condition of being absent without permission.

Quote for Today
“I hand a dream last night about Donald Trump coming to church and becoming a member of the Elder Board. His money might make him an elder at any church, but his money could never buy him peace.”

Matthew 5:8

Matthew 5:8

“Blessed are the pure in heart for they see God.” This is one of the greatest promises in all of scripture. The Lord gave us the opportunity to have a pure heart and also to see God. Nature has many ways to make the ecosystem clean. One of the more visible illustrations is the example of the ocean casting up its mire and dirt with tows and crashing waves. Rain also is a way to eliminate air pollution as molecules of dirt and pollutants cling to water droplets; where the smell of fresh air after a good rain storm fills the atmosphere. I believe this is why the Lord used water the first time to destroy (cleanse) the earth from sinful mankind (Gen. 6:1‑8).

Cleaning an ecosystem is one thing. Making a human heart pure may be a more redoubtable task. The complexity of a pure heart lies in the fact that we think the Lord will invade our lives and wash us from all sin. On the contrary, we must make the effort to approach the Lord on these things for ourselves. This is an offer, not a commandment, an invitation to a better relationship with the Godhead. When our hearts are pure, we will see God? What is Jesus talking about? Very simply, Jesus is talking about the future state of the converted man (Luke 22:31‑34).

The future is promising for those who have surrendered their hearts to the task of purification. How wonderful a day that will be when our faith is at last confirmed by a face-to-face encounter with Jehovah. The chorus of the hymn by Charles H. Gabriel, “O That Will Be Glory,” fits perfectly here: {Will through the ages be glory for me! When by His grace I shall look on His face, That will be glory, be glory for me.} (I Cor. 13:11‑13) O how we love Thee Lord Jesus. O how wonderful is Thy Name. Great and mighty are Thy works in all the earth. O how we long for Thee this day!

Word for Today

Bliss ‑ Extreme happiness; ecstasy.

Quote for Today

“Take the world’s greatest art collections and put them in an international art museum; all of them put together could not compare to the glory of one glimpse of His face.”

- raj

Matthew 5:7

“Blessed our the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.” Mercy here is not the opportunity to be merciful to someone who has done you wrong, but rather the disposition that one has toward all things. Being a merciful person is not limited to how we interact with people but how we interact with all of creation. We are the stewards of this earth. If being meek makes us heirs of creation, being merciful makes us stewards of our inheritance.

We should treat all of God’s vast creation with respect and mercy. If an animal needs food, feed it. If a plant needs water, water it (Eccles. 3:18‑21). Kindness and gentleness are the true attributes defined in this word, merciful. Mercy embodies all the great qualities of Christendom. Laying hold of faith is the not enough to claim that great Name as your own (Christ). The man who dares call himself a Christian better know right well he has been called to a great task. To represent this faith is to arm yourself with attributes fit only for kings.

Mercy is not something you practice like a sport; it is something that is inborn in the believer at the new birth. People make a fuss trying to obtain these things when they are not reborn. Try if you must, mercy is not something that a man schools himself in; on the contrary, he grows in mercy as natural as a child carries the attributes of those whom he has been reared. Mercy is useful because it comes back to those who share it. The unregenerate man can only fake mercy. He may say I will have mercy upon you; I pardon your error. Yet deep inside of him lays the tar of a vengeful spirit. The only people that truly know mercy are those who have received it from the Lord (Hosea 2:23; 6:6; 10:12).

Word for Today

Unregenerate ‑ Not spiritually renewed or reformed; not repentant.

Quote for Today

“One act of mercy from a new-born Christian is more righteous than ten pardons from an unrighteous Judge.”

Matthew 5:6

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

Why is it that men never want what they need until they have come to the end of their rope? You have heard it said a million times in church, “man has a void in his heart that only the Lord can fill.” Jesus is exactly saying that in this verse. In essence He said, those who will be fulfilled in life will be those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness. In a time when having a good meal was rare, this idea of being hungry or thirsty would have been easy to understand.

In America where we waste enough food in one day to feed most of the hungry third world peoples for a year, it is hard for us to grasp the full concept of deprivation. So let me help you understand by asking you if you have ever fasted and someone in the middle of your fast asked you if you would like something to eat. The feeling you get when you want to eat in the middle of a fast is the best illustration I can think of. Jesus said if you will be filled in this life, you must crave righteousness. To fully understand this grand invitation from the Master, let us quickly define the term righteousness in this passage.

Righteousness is the Greek word, dikaiosume, meaning to have an internal heart of piety toward God and exhibiting a faith acceptable to Him. Basically speaking, it reflects how one feels about the Lord, and hence how his feeling exhibits a faith that is revealing. In this case, what you desire is what you admire. How can you desire more of the Lord’s grace in your life? I’m glad you asked. Here are three basic ways to have a greater desire for the presence of the Lord in your life:

1. Weigh what you have to what you could have. If you are blessed where you are right now, how much greater will you be blessed if you go further. (Jer. 33:3; Prov. 8:1‑17)
2. Work on your weakness in the faith. Your weakness can be a hindrance to having a greater desire for the Lord. (Ps. 6:2; Joel 3:10)
3. Wait for your change to come. If the Lord would make us perfect all at once, that would be evolution. Regeneration is a life-time process. (Job 14:14; Titus 3:5‑6)

Word for Today
Regeneration ‑ Spiritual or moral revival or rebirth.

Quote for Today
If the Lord would make us perfect all at once that would be evolution. Regeneration is a life- time process.

- raj

Matthew 5:5

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” You have heard that meekness is not weakness but rather strength restrained. That is a nice way to look at the attribute of meekness; yet, it really doesn’t apply when it comes to this word meek as found in our passage. The word for meek here is the Greek word prau`s which simply means humble.

Jesus is quoting from Psalm 37:11 “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

In a world where the sword ruled the day and people revered conquerors as gods, Jesus teaches that a humble person will be the person who conquers the earth. (Matthew 20:21‑28; Romans 13:1‑6) Meekness is its own reward and pride is its own curse. Imagine the earth belonging to you. Jesus said if you are meek, you have an unfathomable reward coming to you. Working hard is the worldly way to gain prominence. HUMBLING yourself is the Lord’s way to gain prominence.

The blessed state of the humble man is seen in three parts. He has the new condition that derives from self-abasement (Psalm 149:4). He has no soulless of mind because he has done no one wrong (Psalm 22:26). He has security because he utterly depends upon the Lord for direction (Psalm 25:9). The meekness of Psalm 37:11 describes not how we respond to our fellow man, but rather it refers to how humble are we before the Lord. God can trust you with greater things when you trust him with your life. The meek person holds all things with a light hand so that God can take them at any time.

Word for Today
Unfathomable ‑ Difficult or impossible to understand; incomprehensible.

Quote for Today
Courage is always greatest when blended with meekness; intellectual ability is most admired when it sparkles in the setting of modest self‑distrust; and never does the human soul appear so strong as when it foregoes revenge and dares to forgive any injury.
- Author Unknown

Matthew 5:4

"Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted." What an exciting promise given to us by our Lord in this passage. He is giving hope to all men. We will sooner or later have days when we will cry more than we laugh. Mourning in Christ’s time had become a business for some people. Sometimes people were paid to be mourners. Mourning was also a community effort when someone died.

Notice this example of mourning in Matthew 9:18‑26. The mourners don't seem to be very sincere. They are mourning in verse 23 and in the very next verse they are laughing. This is an example of how foolish people can get at times. This is not what Jesus had in mind. He was speaking of those who are truly mourning. His promise that they would be comforted has lasting dividends.

Jesus would send the Comforter to His people that would abide with us forever. (John 14:16‑17; 25‑26; 15:26;16:7) The fact that Jesus said He would pray to the Father and the Father would send another comforter is saying that He is the first comforter. Jesus is a comforter. If you are broken hearted, disappointed about life or confused about some decision you have recently made, let me encourage you today to let the Lord console your mind and calm your storm. One of the great things about Jesus is that He is acquainted with grief. Isaiah prophesied 700 years before Christ (Isa. 53.3) that Christ would be "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." He knows the pain you feel. He wants to embrace you right where you are in life. He is here to bring warmth to your cold existence. No one should live their life in pain. If you are extremely broken hearted and feeling dejected from family and friends, Jesus has come to turn your mourning into joy. (Neh. 8:10)

Word for Today
Consolatory ‑ To allay the sorrow or grief of.

Quote for Today
"Grief exalts us and trouble lifts us." - C.H. Spurgeon

Matthew 5:3

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Being poor is not a good thing in a capitalistic society. Capitalism has created an economic system that is based on the haves and the have nots. The poor are looked upon as less than human at times. They are destined as being responsible for their poverty. Poor people in the time of Christ were no different.

They were looked upon as the off scouring of the earth. Poor people generally made their money as beggars. (Mark 10:46-52; Acts 3:1-10) If you were to get sick or disabled, you would most likely end up as a roadside beggar. People didn’t have the benefit of the long-term care facilities such as we have today. Jesus, speaking to his disciples, teaches that being poor is a state of blessedness. His disciples must have thought His words to be insane.

Yet, the type of poverty Jesus is describing is that of the spirit. The simplest way to look at the use of this word poor is to see it as a metaphor describing the helplessness and susceptibility of a person who has seen his weakness and relies on the Lord for his strength. This case of poverty is a blessing making us fit to receive the blessing of the Lord in its fullness. We can not expect to receive the mighty blessings of God when we have a proud self- serving heart. (James 1:1-8)

Jesus’ words concerning heaven are interesting, saying “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

A spirit that is poor is hungry for God’s presence. A person who is poor wants the Lord to be his covering. A person who is poor in spirit is thirsty. A person who is poor in spirit will, according to Jesus, inherit heaven.

Word for Today
Scouring – to clean or scrub

Quote for Today
Better is a poor man who would share a piece of bread than to be a rich who won’t take the offer.

- raj

What’s In Your Heart?

A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation.

The traveler left rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime; however, a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.

"I've been thinking," he said. "I know how valuable this stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Please give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me this stone." Sometimes it's not the wealth you have, but what's inside you that others need. (Thanks, Russ.)

It is much easier to give of your things than to give of yourself. People find it easier at Christmas time to throw a present under a tree than to make something with their hands. Birthday cakes are bought from the local grocery store rather than made from scratch. One of my fondest memories is of my seventh birthday when my mother made me a pink coconut cake. She didn’t buy it from the store; she made it with her own hands.

So what’s in your heart? All of us have things we have experienced in life that we can share with other people. Teach someone how to ride a bike. That is giving from your heart. Teach someone how to build a model. Teach someone how to shoot a basketball. Teach someone how to do a math problem. Teach someone how to pray. Teach someone how to cut grass. All of these are examples of giving.

Jesus gave of Himself constantly. Matt. 20:27‑28 – And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Memorize this passage and you will become a better giver.

Word for Today
Allocate – to share, to give out.

Quote for Today
“A harmless hilarity and a buoyant cheerfulness are not infrequent concomitants of genius; and we are never more deceived than when we mistake gravity for greatness, solemnity for science, and pomposity for erudition.”
– Charles Caleb Colton

The Perfect Example

Two brothers were playing in their front yard and began to fight over a ball. They tussled for a few minutes and the younger brother began to get very upset. By this time the father, hearing the commotion, ran out of the house to see what was going on. Just before he reached them, he heard the younger son blurt out an expletive. The father was appalled at what he heard. So being a concerned parent, he confronted his son saying, “You don’t use words like that. That’s a bad word I’m going to wash your mouth out with soap if you do it again.” Later on that evening the father and mother got into an argument.

The younger son was passing by the door of his parents’ bedroom, and heard his father use the same word he used earlier. So, the little boy goes to the bathroom and grabs a bar of soap, walks down the hall and knocks on the bedroom door. The father says “Come in son. What do you want?” The little boy looks at his mother and hands her the soap. The mother says, “What’s this for?” The little boy replied “This is to clean the bad words out of daddy’s mouth.” Are you a good example of what you preach to others?

Paul had that very concern. He wrote to the Church at Corinth these words: 1 Cor. 9:27 – But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

The term “castaway” is a person who gets disqualified from a boxing or wrestling match for not following the rules (biting, eye gouging etc.). Paul teaches us to practice what we preach. Are you someone who can tell everyone else what to do and are not able to do it yourself? Memorize this verse for your own spiritual growth. This verse has helped me to be a consistent Christian. I hope it will help you as well.

Numbers 6:25 – The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

Word for Today
Aghast ‑ Struck by shock, terror, or amazement.

Quote for Today
I bid him look into the lives of men as though into a mirror, and from others to take an example for himself.

- Terence (185 BC ‑ 159 BC)

Psalm 119:13

“With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.” There are many reasons a person should declare the judgments of the Lord. First and foremost, they are right judgments. Everything that proceeds from the Lord’s mouth is right. (Jer. 17:16) When we fail to declare the Lord’s judgments, men will make their own brutish judgments. When men make judgments, they tend to classify them and rank them in a social manner. This type of critical thinking always leads to oppression of the poor.

Next, we need to declare God’s judgments because they are good for our own ears to hear. We need to hear them daily. They give added strength to the believer. The weak in heart will receive strength as result of hearing the judgments of God. They will help you use diplomacy in your own judgments. (Ps. 112:5; Prov. 1:4; 2:11) Notwithstanding, His judgments are to be declared for the unrighteous man to return from his evil to the Lord. How will men know they are sick in heart if we withhold their balm?

They will retreat to a religion of comfort and ease, something that confirms their better attributes. If men will convert to the faith, they must see their need for conversion. How can they see the light if no one lights a candle? How can they climb out of a ditch when no one sends down a rope? How can they revive from some ill if no one applies a medicine? Men most need to be judged when they think they need not be judged. (2 Chron 1:10‑11)

Be sure not to discriminate in your declaration. All men are equal in sin; therefore, all men are equal in judgment. Don’t judge the poor differently than the rich. Make no difference in the shade of someone’s skin. Rank and authority diminish before the eyes of truth. If you shy away from judgment for love or friendship, for fame or wealth, it is your soul that will wither in abjection. It is your integrity that will evaporate in the heat of your own stewing with God. Declare them all and declare them to all is your sole chance for harmony with the Lord. (Eccles. 12:13‑14)

Word for Today

Discretion ‑ Ability or power to decide responsibly

Quote for Today

The secret of a good memory is attention, and attention to a subject depends upon our interest in it. We rarely forget that which has made a deep impression on our minds.

- Tryon Edwards (1809 ‑ 1894)

Psalm 119:9

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” The way of youth is as unstable as the seas. Youth can be a calm quiet experience one moment and the next it could be Tsunami. Youth is a beautiful and tender time in a person’s life. It also can be a tragedy if you spend it foolishly. The Psalter asked a question he already knew the answer to. His attempt to draw in the listener is vivid. Name all the tools for cleaning and not one of them can cleanse the soul. (Eph. 5:24‑27)

“Ways” here speaks of the conduct of youth. Young people tend to live hard and fast. They desire to experience everything they can. It’s no strange thing to see them engaged in a multitude of ventures trying to make up their mind on what occupation they will embark. Here is where their peers enter the picture. Even some of their ways are not of their own design. What they engage in sometimes is from the beckoning call of others. Longing for acceptance makes them vulnerable to experimentation. (Prov. 16:18)

Not only is it peers that shape the youth in their ways, their parents become culprits as well. The bad habits of our rearing can be as devastating as the invitation of reckless rummies. The grip of parental pressure is far greater then any crony could conjure. A parent’s influences are unspoken yet heard loud and clear. They watch us like hawks and keep us under the microscope. We are their example of the great virtues. We are their meter of right and wrong. Not what we say or what we intended, but what we do shapes them to model after our own likeness. Our children are born in our image. How we live in front of them determines their reflections. (Eph. 6:1‑3)

Finally, youth is in contention with their blistering pride. Their pride is the force behind their foolish decisions. “How far can I go?” is the measure of youthful lust. Making bad decisions is a badge of honor to them, hardly enough time in the day to destroy one’s integrity. As fast as you correct one foolish error, they make up another defeat. Some day they will return to the vineyard of reason and recapitulate their mature side and see clearly enough to swivel from disaster that waits for simple souls who attempt youthful incandescence into adulthood. (Eccles. 8:11‑13)

“Take heed”, for the Word of God is the pivotal determinant in the winning hours of youth. Remember you can’t hold your youth forever. The Word of God will keep you from wasting it. Thy Word is a fountain of youth to those who will find it. Train your ears to hear wisdom and your heart to delight in understanding. Let wisdom be your guide and understanding your compass. Take no journey without advice and accept no reward without humility. Avoid hardness, bitterness, anger, deceit, malice, lying, cheating, swearing and foolishness. These all take youth and cast it to the wind for threshing. His Word will cleanse you and keep you young in heart and spirit. (Prov. 1:20‑26)

Word for Today
Determinant ‑ An influencing or determining element or factor.

Quote for Today
The deepest definition of youth is life as yet untouched by tragedy.
- Alfred North Whitehead (1861 ‑ 1947)

Romans 16:17

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” When I read this passage of scripture, it sounds as if Paul was being hard and callus toward someone who may be in error. His words are brass and to the point. When a person is caught up in the bitterness it ultimately will lead to division. The key to understanding Paul’s instructions is the word “cause.” Cause is the Greek word poieo which means to rise up and execute. The connotation is one who sets out to destroy others with a bitter spirit. (Heb. 12:15)

How do you know when someone has a bitter spirit of division? First and foremost, they are unforgiving. When a person is unforgiving, they will become relentless in trying to destroy others. (Luke 17:1) Secondly, they will be proud. Their pride will not let them fold. Even if they know they are wrong, they will become obstinate to the point of absurdity. (Prov. 16:19) Last but not least they are guilty of hit and run. Just like a drunk driver, people intoxicated with bitterness crash into people with attitudes of hate and cause many to wreck their lives. (1 Tim. 1:19)

Avoiding them is the only answer. They can no longer proceed as friends of any fellowship. They will run like roaches from one blind church to the next. Presenting themselves as wounded spirits, when they know deep down they are full of deadly poison. (Psalm 104:3) If you value your soul, don’t attend to their stinging of others. How often will we have them for dinners in the name of reconciliation? (Jude 12) Their cruelty cannot be hid for long. It is an itching in their mouth that must be satisfied. Run for your life, dear saints, for one bite from their teeth is as the bite of a thousand serpents. There is no serum to cure damage. The only cure is to circumvent them at all cost. (Prov. 4:14‑19)

Word for Today
Circumvent ‑ To avoid or get around by artful maneuvering: She planned a way to circumvent all the bureaucratic red tape.

Quote for Today
I realize that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.
- Edith Cavell, last words, before her execution by the Germans, 12 October 1915.

Psalm 118:24

“This is the day which the Lord hath made we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Today the Lord will bless you, challenge and call you to greater things. Just like finger prints and snowflakes, there are no two days alike. The earth dramatically changes its structure from day to day. So, we live on a new planet every day. Yet, from a surface view everything looks the same. That’s where discovery and inquiry come into play. They are the building blocks of making the most out of your new day.

The psalmist with great anticipation looks forward to the start of a new day. He first recognizes that the Lord is still creating things. Every day is a new creation. The Lord has crafted this day with the same meticulous care. From the rain to the wind they are all under specified command to do the will of the Lord for the day (Psalm 148:8). There is nothing that occurs in the course of a day where the Lord does not have it in control.

Our response should be the same as the Psalter. The response is two-fold. First, he explains we should rejoice. This means our hearts should be cheerful. We should be excited. We should be grateful. We should be dancing. Are you glad to see another day? Do you thank the Lord with your praise for the air that you breathe? (Psalm 33:1)

The second response is less tentative. “Be glad in it,” the psalmist says. The admonition is revealing the continuous state of a thankful saint. He is not always thankful for what misfortunes a day may bring. We, however, should be glad in the Creator’s decision to allow us to remain another day upon the earth. If you seek Him you will find Him. He will put gladness in your heart more than your heart has room to bear (Psalm 4:7).

Word for Today
Thorough ‑ To be detailed, to make analysis of something

Quote for Today
Enjoy present pleasures in such a way as not to injure future ones.

- Seneca (5 BC ‑ 65 AD)

Avoid Mediocrity

We had a wonderful staff meeting at work on Wednesday 2/2/05. The subject of our meeting was, “The Threat of Mediocrity.” Not only is mediocrity the biggest threat of any business, it also is the biggest threat of human existence. If you allow yourself to settle for less than the best, you are cheating yourself, the Lord and everyone around you. Here are some tips for you to avoid becoming a mediocre person. Mediocre is the state or quality of being inferior or ordinary.

I know that some people feel that it’s not bad being ordinary. However, in a society where people are revered for the most outlandish things, it may not be good to just be an ordinary person. You may have heard someone say, “Ordinary people can do extraordinary things.” Granted, it that may be a nice way to encourage people to go the extra mile and take a leap of faith, however innocent that may be, it really is not the truth.

In fact, extraordinary things are accomplished by people who refuse to be mediocre. So many of the blessings we enjoy today come from people who would not settle for the mundane. For example, take a look at the resume of Thomas Edison by, connected‑earth.com

“Although better known for inventing the electric lamp and the phonograph, Thomas Alva Edison made a number of significant improvements to the telephone. Edison was always inquisitive and started experimenting with electrical currents after his mother bought him a science book. He patented his first invention ‑ an electrical vote recorder ‑ when he was 22 and pledged his life to inventing. During his lifetime, Edison patented 1,093 inventions. Inventing was like a formula ‑ two large inventions per year and a minor one every ten days! He even made inventions to order. In fact, he applied for 400 patents in one year alone! Early in his career Edison was called to New York's Wall Street, to make improvements to Edward Calahan's 'stock ticker', where he fortunately met many of the financiers who funded his later projects.

In 1878 he was employed by the Western Union company to make improvements on Elisha Gray's prototype telephone, which they now owned. Edison was in direct competition to Alexander Graham Bell but he managed to develop a superior transmitter that gave Western Union an effective advantage.”

This is the prime example of a person who has broken through the barrier of the ordinary. Let me use the teaching of Jesus to show you that God expects His people to rise above the mediocrity of our time. Five references are found in the Sermon On the Mount where Jesus compelled his followers to be better than the religious world around them.

1. Be more righteous – Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
2. Be more holy -- Matthew 5:27‑30 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: [28] But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. [29] And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. [30] And if thy right hand offend thee, cut if off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
3. Be more committed -‑ Matthew 5:31‑32 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: [32] But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
4. Be more tolerable -‑ Matthew 5:38‑42 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: [39] But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. [40] And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. [41] And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. [42] Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
5. Be more loving -‑ Matthew 5:44‑48 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; [45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. [46] For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? [47] And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? [48] Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

What Do I Do When I Don't Know What to Do?

Everyone one of us hits the lid of life every now and then when it seems like life is going nowhere but down. It is in those times that the Lord seems to be distant and unconcerned about our plight. On the contrary, He is teaching us to rely upon Him even more. Today is the greatest day of your life. Follow these simple yet meaningful steps and you will know exactly
what to do when life gets hairy:

1. You will wait on the Lord. Don't react or take matters into your own hands. Sit before Him and He will guide you every step of the way. The Lord desires to take you though your difficulty with the utmost success. Waiting is not easy. It takes a lot of courage to wade through your darkness and trust the Lord to bring the victory. (Psalm 27:14; 37:7,9,34)
   
2. Worship while you wait. Do your best not to fret when it takes longer then you would have liked for your answer to come. It's going to come right on time. Worshiping the Lord while you wait for your answer shows the Lord that you totally trust Him in all things. (Psalm 95:6; 96:9)
3. When you worship, your worrying will cease. That's the biggest challenge of all. Not to worry in the midst of your fiery furnace. Put out the fires of worry and let the mighty faith that resides in you come alive. Worrying only shortens your life. It's normal to grieve a little when we are suffering, but all-out worrying only destroys your hope. (Psalm 37:1; Prov. 24:19)
4. Ask for wisdom. Instead of spending your time worrying about things you can't change, ask the Lord for wisdom. Wisdom enables us to see God at work on our behalf. Wisdom is vital to the waiting game. Many people go before the Lord and ask the Lord to change their circumstances when the Lord desires to impart wisdom to get you through the circumstances. (Prov. 4:7; James 1:5)
   

Word for Today
Trudge - To walk in a laborious, heavy-footed way; plod.

Quote for Today
I never think of the future – it comes soon enough.
- Albert Einstein

Change (Are you ready?)

One of the most intricate things to handle in life is change. Sometimes we are forced to change due to circumstances beyond our control. For example, a family may be forced to change their lifestyle after the sudden death of a loved one. On the other hand, it may be a sickness that causes a family to have to move from their residence to accommodate the ill family member’s needs. Someone else may have to move out of state due to a change that occurs on the job, such as a plant closing or a layoff. Whatever the case, change is something we will all have to deal with sooner or later.

Change is usually looked at as something bad. But in the case of Job change was something he looked forward to. Job 14:14 – If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Let me encourage you. Things are not always going to be like they are today. The sun is going to shine and the band is going to play your song once again. Be patient and wait for the Lord to intervene. In the meantime, try using these six biblical principles to help you cope with the immediate situation you are facing today.

1. Remember the Lord is using this time of change to perfect you. Psalm 138:8 – The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
   
2. Remember that hard times come to everyone. Psalm 34:19 – Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
3. Remember that you are in His hand at all times. Psalm 60:5 – That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.
4. Remember the Lord remembers your labor of love. 1 Thess. 1:3 – Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
5. Remember your labor is not in vain. 1 Cor. 15:58 – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
6. Remember others are benefitting from your hardship. Hebrews 6:10 – For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Word for Today
Intricate ‑ Having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate.

Quote for Today
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874 ‑ 1965)