# 46 2016 Dev. Mt.5:10. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Matthew 5:10

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Here Jesus changes his teaching; still showing us what is expected but now it involves those who oppose people who follow Jesus. The devotional of a couple of weeks ago #44 addresses what can only be considered as persecution. Not only is the culture around us trying to force their values on true followers of Jesus, they want to stop us from speaking the truth according to God’s Word.

It is interesting to hear recently that our secular culture is most accepting of the Roman Catholic version of conservatism. That is understandable given the fact that the Roman Catholic Church has always maintained her traditional stand on women, sex and marriage while the Protestant community is all over the map in terms of those three important Biblical family issues. Therefore, Protestants who have sold out to secular liberal culture share in the persecution of conservative true followers of Jesus.

The issue is not conservatism or liberalism; it is a Biblical truth issue. Jesus understood that fact, Jesus is the truth and the religious leaders of that day did not see the truth even as Jesus lived and worked in their presence. In the end living and speaking the truth put an end to Jesus’ life on earth. Since that time many millions have been put to death and today people continue to die for living and speaking the truth.

Turning to verse 10 Jesus is telling us that there will be persecution for His followers. It is a serious issue but it is a temporary situation but Gods blessings are forever. If we are persecuted, we are carrying around the righteousness of Jesus and if we continue to hold on to that righteousness through thick and thin we inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. That is a forever situation people! Amen and Amen.  

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# 45 2016 Dev. Ps. 61:1-2. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 61:1-3

^“1 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.  ² From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
³ For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.”

Ps. 61 falls into Book II of the V books of Psalms. It is a Psalm of prayer and praise. It is thought to be a Psalm of David, perhaps during the time of conflict with his son Absalom (NIV). Ps. 61 also is part of a group of prayers ending in Ps. 64. The Psalm is divided into three groups of two: v. 2-3, 4-5, 6-7 framed in an introductive appeal, v.1 and concluded v.8 in a promise to praise and serve God.

The main body of the Psalm is a request from the king in a weakened position to reconnect with God and for God to reconnect with Him. The king longs to dwell with God, his only refuge, “in the shelter of your wings”.

The first couplet v.2-3 sets the tone. “From the ends of the earth I call to you,” it’s a metaphor for being disconnected from reality, he is lost, faraway. “I call as my heart grows faint:” he is in danger emotionally and physically. “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” The king is asking God to save him, he is not able to save himself. “for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.” The king acknowledges God as his only refuge, a place to be safe.

These verses are great comfort for us today. When we are down, overwhelmed with the events of our lives, when we are short in hope and confidence or faced with loss, we need a place to be safe. Lead us to the rock that is higher than us is a reference to Christ, in the Old Testament, the “Rock” is our Savior, Jesus, more powerful than our difficulties, more safe than any other place! Stay connected to him!    

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# 44 2016 Dev. Mt. 5:9 The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

 Matthew 5:9

 “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God.”

 The following intro. is the context for verses 3-12. Verse 9 is part of “The Beatitudes”. The meaning of this word is: “a state of absolute bliss” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). On this earth that state is the result of God’s grace and human kindness. Therefore, Jesus begins his sermon with the attitudes and the ethics of the Kingdom of Heaven.

 What are we thinking about when we talk about making peace? It seems to me that making peace is a lifestyle. The practice of peace is part of following Jesus and begins at home, living in peace is a personal choice. “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Ro.12:12). However, peace is rooted in reconciliation and begins with God reconciling us back to Him in Christ Jesus. That makes peach making more complicated, it involves love, forgiveness and acceptance of those with whom we have differences of opinions and beliefs. But it does not mean compromise, we continue to believe and practice biblical precepts but we do not force that on those who do not. We must have the freedom to practice our beliefs but we must extend that freedom to others as well.

 The reality of our present situation does not promote peace. Our religious freedom is now at risk by the pressure of government and other organizations to accept as normal, life styles and attitudes that are in conflict with the Word of God. Further, if we speak out of our belief it is considered as hate language and may be subject to prosecution. So much for freedom.

That is the negative but let’s move to our verse and the positive. Peacemakers are blessed, God’s blessing flow throughout our lives. But this is so much bigger because peacemakers “will be called the sons of God.” Those who follow Jesus are the children of God. The bottom line: v.31. “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Ro.8:31-32). Amen!         

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# 43 2016 Dev. Pr.4:23. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

 Proverbs 4:23

 “Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.”

 Proverbs 4 praises wisdom as supreme. David is speaking to his son, telling him what his father told him: “Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live” The commands of course are God’s commands but what are David’s words? And what is wisdom? “Listen to instruction, gain understanding, love her and esteem her.” Wisdom here is personalized. This Psalm is about wisdom and it is about the heart.

 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Pr.9:10). This applies to us more and more today, look at politics, at secular values, there is a call for religious institutions to rethink what is said to be their outdated stand on marriage, sex, and fundamental human relationships. Churches are rethinking the values of the past today! Are people reading their Bibles or are they listening to the culture around us?

 The words of David apply here: “Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.¹⁵ Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.”David draws a contrast: “¹⁸ The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.¹⁹ But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.”

“Above all else, guard your heart,” Above all else this should be our issue today: we hear a steady stream of wickedness every day. That stream is part of every day living if we are living in reality. Wickedness does not settle in the heart if we guard our hearts and continue to know the difference between righteousness and wickedness.

 “For everything you do flows from it.” All we say and do flow from our hearts. Keep your heart close to God, open your heart to the Holy Spirit and fill your heart with the love, grace and the forgiveness of Jesus. Listen to what the Spirit is teaching us in Verse 23.                  God is good!

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# 42 2016 Dev. Mt.5:8. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Matthew 5:8

 ^“Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.”

 The following intro. is the context for verses 3-12. Verse 8 is part of “The Beatitudes”. The meaning of this word is: “a state of absolute bliss” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). That ecstatic state can only come by God’s grace and human kindness. Therefore, Jesus begins his sermon with the attitudes and the ethics of the Kingdom of Heaven.

 The pure in heart, who are they? This term “Pure heart” is found in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Test. those with a pure heart are qualified by: “clean hands”, by trust in the true God, by repentance, and innocence, In the New Test. a pure heart is qualified by: love, repentance, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith. I think the verse that is definitive is Ps. 51:10 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me”.

 The answer to the the question, who are the pure in heart is: All who truly follow Jesus. That is a surprising answer given the qualifications listed here. Who among us will stand up when asked to confirm all these qualifications in our lives? I say none of us and I say all of us! Everyone must answer for themselves. I answer all of us because I am recreated in Jesus by God’s grace and my faith. Along with that comes a new heart. What Jesus does for us in our time is what was mirrored in the Old Test. church: Eze. 11:19-20 “…I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh… They will be my people, and I will be their God”.

A pure heart is given us in Christ by His righteousness. Therefore, followers of Jesus are blessed and “they will see God”. That is a promise that begins the moment one believes in Jesus, a gift difficult to comprehend but guaranteed. Praise God!

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# 41 2016 Dev. Ps.34:18. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

 Psalm 34:18

 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

 Ps. 34 is part of the first of five Books making up 150 Psalms that cover prayers, laments, praise, blessings and instruction for believers as well as curses for the wicked. Book I including Ps.34 is predominately Godly instruction. Further, Ps. 34 is part of a small sections of Psalms that are framed by two “alphabetic acrostics poems” 34 and 37 framing two prayers that address scoffers and the second is about godlessness. We look at verse 18 but standing alone takes the verse out of its context and its qualifying factors diminishing the comfort that it provides. The thought begins in verse 15 and is completed in verse 22. Let’s read verse 15-22 before concentrating on verse 18.

 V. 18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted” God is so close that He is in us by His Holy Spirit. Further, we are qualified with righteousness by our faith. Truly the brokenhearted are crushed in spirit but we have the Creator of the universe not only comforting us but saving us as well. All this translates into eternal life with Him. Verse 8: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Lord, comfort us?

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# 40 2016 Dev. Mt.5:7. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Matthew 5:7

^7 “Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.”

 The following intro. is the context for verses 3-12. Verse 7 is part of “The Beatitudes”. The meaning of this word is: “a state of absolute bliss” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). On this earth that state is the result of God’s grace and human kindness. Therefore, Jesus begins his sermon with the attitudes and the ethics of the Kingdom of Heaven.

 So far Jesus’ words call for action on our part, he calls for application. How easily we talk about humility (meekness), about compassion (mourning), about righteousness (by faith) and about mercy (by God’s grace). How difficult it is to apply what Jesus tells us in our everyday living! We come up with excuses like: what Jesus is asking us to do is unrealistic, we simply cannot do these things on our own, much too perfect for living in today’s world.  However, we are not alone, the power of the Holy Spirit is in us and faith in Jesus perfects our efforts. I find this truth a great source of comfort not only as a minister but as a follower of Jesus because often a higher standard is imposed on us.  

 Verse 7: “Blessed are the merciful”: in my experience including military action, mercy is in short supply in modern times. What has happened to people today? I believe there has been a fundamental shift in our culture and in many cultures around the world. Mercy is a defining value. To show mercy is to be tolerant, unselfish, compassionate, forgiving, accepting, respecting others, hating evil but loving people. There is a segment of our culture and of cultures around the world who do not hold or practice those values. Mercy flows from God’s grace extended to us and true followers of Jesus practice it. 

 Verse 7 goes on: “for they will be shown mercy.” Extending mercy to others is a prerequisite for receiving mercy, receiving mercy from other people but more importantly, from God! God’s blessings include, among many other things, mercy from Him! We thank you Lord Jesus!

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# 39 2016 Dev. Dt. 31:8. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Deuteronomy 31:8

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

 The meaning of the word “Deuteronomy” has been mistranslated as the law repeated or the second law but the meaning is: “a copy of the law”. The occasion is the transition from Moses’ leadership to Joshua and preparation to enter into the promised land. Broadly speaking the whole historical event of the enslavement of Abraham’s decedents in Egypt, the release of slavery under Moses’ leadership, the wandering in the desert and the entry into the promised land mirrors the Good News in Jesus Christ.

 We were enslaved by sin, (Satan) we wandered in the desert of our broken world. God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit continued to guide us. When we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior we are set free and are assured eternal life with Him. Historically speaking in this life we stand at the brink of the promised land but God who is outside of history has already recreated us into eternal life. 

 The verse for this week is in the context (Dt. 31:7-8) of that transition from Moses’ leadership to Joshua and from the desert to the promise land.  This is the story behind our story. Today it applies to us, those who follow Jesus and applies to our individual context and situation.

 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you”. Whatever situation we may face today this holds true; He prepares the way ahead and he walks with us.  “He will never leave you nor forsake you”. This is a promise; no matter how difficult things may become God promises never to leave us.  “Do not be afraid” God says, do not give into fear, I am here with you! “Do not be discouraged”. How easily we are discouraged at times but God says to us I am in control, you are my children, I will take care of you. “Trust me” Jesus says!

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# 38 2016 Dev. Mt. 5:6. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Matthew 5:6

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled”.

This intro is the context for verses 3-12, verse 6 is part of “The Beatitudes”. The meaning of this word is: “a state of absolute bliss” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). On this earth that state is the result of God’s grace and human kindness. Therefore, Jesus starts out with the attitudes and the ethics of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Righteousness here points in two directions that come together in faith alone: one, it means being right, morally right, without sin or guilt, a desire for ourselves but also for others. Two, a quality of justice we receive by faith, making right or justifying Ro. 4:1-7.  Certainly to desire righteousness is a standard of not only human kindness but is God’s imperative because the lack of it oppresses many millions of people. Think of a world where wrong is right depending on who it benefits. We see it in the lack of political concern for poor neighborhoods, for poor quality schools, for disparity of race and for police action that sometimes is unjust. Further, the lack of righteousness (that includes lack of justice) is not limited to secular society or politics. It also raises its ugly head in the Christian community to the point that Christianity, at certain times and places, is something other than the true followers of Jesus who receive righteousness by faith.

That was often the experience in Jesus’ day by Jesus and his followers at the hands of the religious establishment of that time. Reformed (Presbyterian) thinking hold the Pharisees as part of the “Old Testament Church” although they had strayed far from the truth.

Therefore, Jesus makes this statement strong: “hunger and thirst” a matter of life and death, a fundamental need for our physical lives. Jesus makes “righteousness” and “justification by faith” a matter of life and death, it is a fundamental need for our spiritual life and for our physical life in the long term because separation from Jesus (God) results in death both spiritually and physically.

Jesus includes a rich blessing: to desire righteousness translates into being filled with the results of righteousness, the goodness of God. The blessing is in the future tense, God’s blessing is on going, not a one-time meal but being constantly filled forever. Amen and Amen!

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# 37 2016 Dev. Ps. 19:14. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 19:14

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer”.

The Psalms in general is a five volume section in Scripture of poems, songs, and prayers all praising, confessing to, and petitioning God. It is a Book of intimate fellowship with our Creator. The structure of Book I, generally speaking, is instruction to live the godly life. Chapter 19 is part of a section in Book I framing “who may draw close to God” (verse 15 and verse 24). Applying this to today: Jesus qualifies all who follow Him to draw close to God and these Psalms are the back story of our relationship to our God in Christ Jesus today. That relationship is intimate and active moving all followers of Jesus to promote His Love, His forgiveness and His grace to those around us who are unaware of the redemption offered in Christ. 

Verse 14 is a prayer that is rooted in the whole chapter. Chapter 19:1- 6 God is glorified in His creation, creation that screams God’s glory without one word. Verses 7-11 is God’s voice and glorifies God in His laws and precepts, they “are righteous, more precious than gold, they are sweeter than honey. In keeping them there is great reward”. Verses 12-13 is man’s voice glorifying God for his forgiveness and grace.

The above is the context of v. 14. The Prayer: May I know your precept and speak what pleases you my God! May I meditate on your laws O God directing my thoughts and actions! I trust you Lord and put my hope in you for my salvation and stability! “My Rock (Jesus) and my Redeemer”.

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