His Word to Me...

My early morning devotions began with face to the ground prayer. 

Next, when I sat down to read scripture, it was time to read Matthew 5, which has become one of my favorites.  Back when I was in my 20s, my favorite scriptures were from Proverbs. Who can say why? I only know that I enjoyed those best. Now that I'm (LOL) a little over half a century old, my favorites have changed.

In these words, He says "Blessed are you when..."

You may think it odd, but I wanted to see what "blessed" really meant and not just what I thought it meant.  I've heard it preached before as "happy" and for years have thought this whenever reading it.  Well, being happy may be part of it but I find that "happy" is a frivolous state of being and that it doesn't usually last very long.  Would God really be telling me to keep on being so frivolous?  Well, I don't think so and that's why I looked up the word blessed.  I found several different ways to describe and define what it is but through all this, I've come to know that to be blessed means, 'you are worthy, you are holy, you are consecrated in my eyes'.

Imagine that?!  It's not about being "happy" at all".  My Lord is saying,

• "You are Holy when you are poor and weak in spirit, when you recognize your state of being.
• You are Holy when you mourn and cry out in grief.
• You are Holy when you are meek and not conceited or stuck up thinking you are better than others.
• You are Holy when you hunger and thirst for righteousness because He is righteous.
• You are Holy when you are merciful (compassionate).
• You are Holy when you are pure in heart, without defilement of thought.
• You are Holy when you are a peacemaker.
• You are Holy when you are persecuted for righteousness.
• You are Holy when others revile you and tell lies about you because of Him.

In all this, My Lord tells me that he expects me to act and react in holy ways at all times. When I do these things, He blesses me, He calls me Holy! I am to do these things without working for them, without thinking of reward. But at the same time He makes promises....

He promises that:

•  the kingdom of heaven is mine
•  I will be comforted
•  I will inherit the earth
•  I shall be satisfied
•  I shall have mercy
•  I shall see God
•  I shall be called as a son (daughter) of God
•  the kingdom of heaven is mine!!!!

He goes on to tell me that I am to rejoice and be glad when others are cruel to me because of Him.

He reminds me that....

•  I am the salt and I am the light
•  He came to fulfill the law.

In all things he tells me what to do.  He tells me what to do with my anger~ duh ~ make peace. He tells me not to lust and not to divorce. He tells me not to swear. He tells me that I am not to be revengeful and to love even my enemies. Now, alone I am unable to do even the one of these things faithfully.

But he's not asking.  He commands me that I must be perfect, as my heavenly Father is perfect.  That is what He expects. My duty then is to strive for His perfection and in so doing He will give me what I need to accomplish it! What powerful scripture to start my day! WOW!