Who Are The "Blessed"?

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)

It seems to me a wonderfully comforting promise our Lord Jesus Christ gives us here.  When we are "in mourning," Jesus comforts, no matter how deep, how painful, how seemingly hopeless the sorrow.

"....for they shall be comforted."  People disappoint?  "....for they shall be comforted."  Prayers seem unanswered?  "....for they shall be comforted."  Sickness lingers?  "....for they shall be comforted."

So many times we may read the Bible in an attitude of, "O, read that before."  This is not a good idea.  "The Words of God," are indeed, "powerful...."  They are power, a power to do what nothing nor no one other that He Who Alone is, "The Word of God," can do.  I have been a constant recipient of the Blessed Trinity's power to comfort, especially in these last 47 years.

We do not know what a day, week, month, or year may bring, but we do know that whatever time may bring our way, "Blessed are the poor in spirit,..who mourn,..are meek,..who hunger and thirst after righteousness,..are merciful,..the pure in heart,..the peacemakers,.. who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is," everything we need to walk in this sojourn.

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to always come to You and Your Words as a little child.  Amen.

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Sarah and I are leaving Saturday morning for Florida.  We have spent a lot of money on her sister's funeral expenses and hope and pray that she has some insurance to cover her debts.  We appreciate any prayers.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"....Be Of The Same Mind...."

"I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord."  (Philippians 4:2)

I might add that the only way you and I can be, "....of the same mind...," is, "in the Lord."  I heard a pastor over 55 years ago quip on this text.  "We could say that she was too soon touchy." 

There are valid reasons for people leaving local churches, viz., corruption, abuse, false doctrine, etc.  Moreover, I believe that the Reformation was long over due. There is something, however, of our text which applies to not only church members, but also spouses, children, friends; "....Be of the same mind."  One translation says, "....live in harmony in the Lord."

Back to the Reformation for a moment.  The phrase, "....the same mind in the Lord," can only come about with a thorough reading and obeying of the, "God-Breathed," Words.  Up to the 16th Century, Christendom had been adding words and traditions to Holy Writ.  Personal preferences, cultural influences, etc., were constantly creeping in for centuries until finally you get "The Immaculate Conception."

These are days in which the Enemy is stepping up efforts to "divide and conquer" us, in the Church, the home, among friends.  Of course, we are to, "hold fast the profession of our faith."  But we are not to "hold fast the profession" of an opinion or life style which is based on preference rather than conviction.  The cliche, "Pick your battles" is not without some merit.  Maybe as the People of Jesus Christ we should rather say, Don't pick a battle.

Father, in Jesus' Name, convict me any time my "mind" is not Yours.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"But If Not...."

"....Our God is able..., and He will....But if not...." (From Daniel 3:17, 18)

Here we have the "three stages" of faith.

First: Even the weakest among us believe that, "....Our God is able...."  It's a response to, "Do you believe God can?"  In all reality, even an agnostic would respond in the affirmative to this question.  "....Our God is able," really does not demand "faith," for there is no "proof" one way or the other to refute this statement.

Second: Then comes the "saved" person who has been baptized in the Holy Spirit, read all the latest "faith" books, been to all the great conferences.  Remember those days when we were making "positive declarations," believing that God would do just about anything we asked for?  "....and He will...."

Third: But then came the time when not all the prayers were being answered, times when the exact opposite happened of what we were praying for.  What was your reaction when it became obvious that much of what was happening to the non believer was happening to you also, sickness, financial struggle, family seemingly coming apart, car wouldn't start, you drove around looking for a parking space and found none, your favorite preacher and church was not what you expected, etc.?

If a person's faith is not Jesus Christ and His Words, his/her self-made religious world will eventually fall apart.  We know that Daniel's friends triumphed over the furnace which consumed those powerful Babylonian soldiers.  But they were ready for anything.  So too, I believe, was David.  I have heard some cutesy Charismatic interpretations as to why David chose more than one stone to meet Goliath.  I believe David took multiple stones just in case the first one missed.

Father in Jesus' Name, I pray for a continual, "But if not...," trust in You.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

Inauguration Of More Than A President

"The Lord is King forever and ever; the nations have perished out of His land." (Psalm 10:16)

I have considered going to the inauguration on January 20.  If you will go, let me know; details will come later.  Most of the reprobate organizations in the United States of America are preparing to participate in "marches" on January 21 in Washington, DC, and at other "sister" marches around the country.  It is reported that Planned Parenthood (code for: murder babies who upset your life style) is coordinating the efforts; no surprise here.  These marches are an "inauguration" of desired anarchy in the US. 

America could be on the verge of an abyss.  There are Antichrist forces in America today which are unlike forces which have manifested before.  Our text has been a basis of a prayer of mine ever since I was praying on the streets of Berlin over 18 years ago: Drive out those who are trying to usurp Your Authority in_______ (fill in the blank).  I have no doubt that there has been a degree in which this prayer has been answered in the recent American Election.  If you take a look a world history, you will see that Jesus has done this time and again.  Now I may be overstating the global war in which Planet Earth is involved; I really hope and pray so.  But the text, "In the last days evil men will go from bad to worse," just keeps looming over everything we are witnessing around the Globe.

Some people don't read the Bible for the same reason they only read a book once or watch a movie once.  They think they have gleaned everything from it in one reading/viewing.  There are a few movies which I have seen several times, and I always see or hear something I did not notice before.  This is certainly true of the Bible.  As you and I grow, as life events change from month to month and year to year, passages in the Bible which you and I have "blown by" before and could not comprehend, all of a sudden are a "headline of today's events."  This is true not only of world events, but also of our personal lives.

Yesterday was the beginning of 2017 in the Gregorian Calendar, which is less than 500 years old, and Teves-Sh'vat 5777 on the Hebrew Calendar.  "The Eternal One," however, is not bound by dates, geography nor "the best laid plans of mice and men."  Each passing day brings us closer to the close of "the age."  Maybe last year was a "good one" for you or a "bad one."  But this does not change the unfolding plans of King Jesus.  I repeat Graham's statement of decades ago, "History is headed towards a dramatic climax."  We may be on Earth when Jesus makes His Second Appearing, or we may be of, "the dead in Christ."  Regardless, in the midst of personal trials and global upheaval is the Church, proclaiming Jesus Christ, serving Jesus Christ, praising "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost," and, "....looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, Drive out those who are trying to usurp Your Authority.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2