Sunday, February 5, 2012

Day 36 - Matthew 5

Click here to access Matthew 5:1 "View in Bible Reader" to see the whole chapter

The Sermon on the Mount.

What is your favorite Beatitudes?
Mine has always been "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." (I was raised with the King James).  Though I like the way the New Living Translation...God blesses...

There's a lot more in this chapter. I think the part that jumped out at me this time reading this passage is verses 43 - 47:
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.44 But I say, love your enemies!t Pray for those who persecute you!45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.47 If you are kind only to your friends,t how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.

Not that I'm facing that much in the way of persecution, but there are people I'm just not crazy about or who make me uncomfortable for different reasons, but God wants me to pray for those people. 

I'm looking forward to hearing what your favorite Beatitude is as well as the things that speak to you from this chapter.
Blessings!

4 comments:

  1. My word of the year is Thirst, so obviously verse 6 jumps out at me from the beatitudes. =)

    That latter part hit me this read-through too. That Jesus is calling us to be MORE. To give more, to do more than what is common or expected. He expects us to, literally, go the extra mile. (Is that where that saying came from?) That, and only that, will set us apart from the rest of the world. Such a wonderful lesson.

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  2. Well, today I needed to read, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Yesterday was the 1st anniversary of my mother's death. As if that wasn't bad enough, my husband's aunt died yesterday. So, we are spending the weekend comforting each other and family members - and, asking for comfort from God.

    Turn the other cheek. My mom was always so good at that. Sometimes, it made me angry that she didn't stand up for herself more. But, now I realize fighting back usually only perpetuates the situation. She was a great role model and I miss her a lot. But, I am comforted to know she is with Jesus.

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    1. So sorry to hear that, Sharon! Saying a prayer now that the comfort of the Lord stretches over your families like a cloak.

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  3. Matthew 5:1-10 The Sermon on the Mount Be-Attitude http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dWV0mAT2LeE Voskamp Family audio

    4 Blessed are those who mourn.They will be comforted.
    He has comforted me in mourning at the death in June of my son, my firstborn. Years ago He told me, "You gave him as a child, I hold him as a man." I always thought of that as an undergirding. I take that literal today.

    This was confirmation two summers ago for moving ten hours away to our Lane Hill House! To a land we knew not to be within a long day's drive to our children in three states. I love it here!!

    14-16 "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

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