The Beatitudes. I vote Yes. And they puzzle me. How do we "Really" practice the Beatitudes? Yesterday we talked about the Yoke of Jesus is easy - and showed Biblical examples of God actually being, by nature, Giving. And not in need, because He is Creator of All and King of Kings - He has no need of guilt as a gift. Now. all that is left to us is to combine the Beatitudes - His Vast propensity to Generosity and the Beatitudes. We will now attempt to Wrap it Up.
Luke 6:1-38
17 Jesus went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured,
19 and the people all tried to touch him,
because power was coming from him
and healing them all.
20 Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 2
3 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. 24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. 25 Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
27 “But to you who are listening I say:
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.
Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High,
because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you.
A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Luke is the Physician, who decided he was the narrow path with Peter and Paul. Luke stayed with these men of God all their days, until the last day, Luke was a comfort and blessing of God. A narrow path to the Glory of God. The Blessing of a Gospel of such a man. The courage of twice being inside the Roman Empire and remaining with a condemned criminal against Caesar. Surely this man was of God.
Edward's family is originally from Bryan, Texas and Hearne. We are Aggies by hard work. Grit. Determination.
Have a Story for you, Aggies.
Two Christmases ago, we were talking in the joy of the Season one dark evening and on our way to eat dinner. Edward has some brain physical illness and life can be a bowl of cherries. God remembers Edward every day Graciously and I do too. You never exactly know what's going to happen. The car Beeeeeped. Good car, remember to listen to your car. And we - hahahhaha - were talking. And hit a black SUV. Tapped it. Edward was in reverse. Now the mood had seriously changed to being chagrined, we had not listened to the car.
Out of the dark came a man, who said, "I knew when I parked the car, it would be hit as a dark car. And figured it would be your car. In fact, I saw you about to hit my two week old car and I knew a wreck was coming and didn't say a thing. It's just a car, right?"
At this Edward and I went into assess mode. Listening - On. Edward spoke. I needed to see what was going to happen. Edward said, "Let me get you our information, right now." And the man asked Edward if he was accepting liability.
Edward gave me the look that said sh. Edward said, "I believe I can get the information to you pretty quickly, hang on."
Now communicators will tell us 89% of communication is non-verbal. This man seemed angry. Tightly wound. We were in serious assess mode.
The proper papers were found quickly. God is Good. Edward did not say much and handed the man the insurance papers and held up his phone as a flashlight to allow the DL and insurance to be photoed on the man's phone. As this finished up, the angry man repeated his story of quiet and strange intensity. Edward said kindly, "Well, you have the papers and I believe it will go smoothly for you."
The man said it would depend upon Edward taking responsibility. Edward said any accident official could see from the position, Edward had been the one striking his bumper. The man assessed the damage at 2 thousand dollars, or perhaps more as these things take a lot of time...and have hidden cost...
We let that hang in the air. Edward spoke kindly and said he hoped the repair would be swift on his new car. The man said well it is only a car. We all did agree. Then the man said he had been in several tours of duty in Afghanistan. And had just returned from being away for years and years. Edward put out his hand, shook the man's hand and said, "Thank you for your service. I hope this Christmas will be good to you. We are glad you are back. Are you now complete in your military service?"
The man then took a step back. He said, "Thank you for asking. I'm very glad to get home alive. It all seems a little unreal to be home again. I've had leaves, but to know I'm back is going to be - an adjustment. I will get this working right away."
We said Merry Christmas and all departed. I prayed for Edward's good conduct we'd get less of a hit on our insurance. In the next 2 months, we found the insurance had increased 2 thousand dollars. Bummer. And at the Volunteer for Pro Life, the physician I sat with gave me an insurance tip - - - and we SAVED 2 thousand dollars for switching. Thank You God and Handel's Alleluia. Thank You, Jesus Christ.
The Beatitudes. Seems to be unwell. And unnatural. And a hopeful thing of Children's Literature. And not what you'd do, if you hope to go far in life.
Not exactly. Let's cover this with Scripture. Then we have a solid house built on the Rock of Christ Jesus. When we cover this - wrap it up, we have a package to keep. A handle on the gift. A Gift of God.
1 Corinthians 16:
13 Be on the alert.
Stand firm in the faith.
Be men of courage.
Be strong.
14 Do everything in love.
Now that is fortitude. Not vapors of wanna be. It's fire and determination of going forth in God. Not obscure philosophy. Tangible. Reliable.
John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation.
But take heart;
I have overcome the world.
Jesus assures us all will have trouble. Victory is in faith of Jesus' Victory. God places us as His Beloved.
Going forth with God. Going far.
We all know Moses. Joshua impressed God. The Hebrew Name of Jesus is Yeshua. Joshua is diligent faith. Joshua parted the Jordan River. Joshua has the Holy Spirit of the Most High God.
Joshua ONE. The Beginning:
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
On Kindness, Graciousness and Faith:
Philippians 1:28
Without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved--and that by God.
Isaiah 33:22
For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is He who will save us.
God is a mighty refuge. The New Testament tells us we "know" for those who love God = all things "Work" (process) together for good, for those who are called according to His Purpose. We have patience.
Happy people bounce. The Bible says we determine ourselves by our responses. We are NOT in a tennis game. God determines us not by situations and comments, God determines us and we determine ourselves - flawed and with God's Amazing Grace - by what comes out of us = words, works, ways.
God's Word says we will not be able to brag. Because what saves us is God's Grace.
When we try to please God, really, He finds we DO Please God.
We will never ever be able to accomplish 3,000 pages of God's Word. We will never build the planet. We will never be Jesus. Our Father God knows this and God loves our heart and hope and faith and Love. I love the Lord God, my Father, because He Loves me. As His Child. His Burden is easy. His Yoke is Light. Thank God for His Grace.
Abba, Our Holy and Wonderful Father.
Uplift us, we ask for Your Blessings.
Oh say can You see our Nation filled by the dawn's early Light
We Love You, Father, fill us. Fill our Children. Fill the people we Love. Fill the people You have given us with Your Holy Spirit.
Let us Behold this Day - more of Your Heaven on earth.
Let us be Grateful and collectors of seeing Your Blessings. Being more of Blessing to others by Your Gracious Help.
We give You thanks for the people - we dwell in peace. We have more peace than we are aware of. More of sincere Love.
To the depth of our being - the Word of God is filling us with His Word and Love.
And all the people who pray around the world, calling on Jesus say Amen Glory of our Good Father and a Happy New Year.
Amen in Jesus. Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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