Archive Blessed are... (Week Number 1)

[Cosia]

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven*

That is a beautiful blessing, just for being humble in spirit. But what does that mean?
It is explained well in Luke 18: 11-14 Jesus speaks of two men who go into the temple to pray, one is a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee thanked God that he was not like other men, then he lists all the good things he does.
The tax collector asked for mercy because of his sins, and he was sorry about sinning.

So who are we like? Are we boastful and lofty? Or have we searched our hearts and confess to God, with sorrow and a heavy heart, but asking for mercy and strength to overcome.

*Ref: Isaiah 57:15 -
For the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity,
whose name is Holy, says:
“I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit,
to revive the spirit of the humble,
and to revive the heart of the contrite.

 

[cocoa]

I often say the Jesus prayer. Its a reminder that we are sinners in need of a savior.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me, a sinner.

 

[Pastor Gary]

Blessed Are... (Week Number 2)

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

When we think of mourning, we usually think of the loss of a family member or a close friend. This kind of loss can result in significant sadness and sometimes even depression. Time can heal these sad feelings, but we can also pray and ask God for comfort. He will comfort us in a way that is best for us at the time.

Even though we are celebrating the traditional birth of Christ soon, as Christians, we know that His sacrifice on the Cross for us all, at approximately age 33, has been a holy gift for us as Believers who accept Christ as our Savior and become saved. Those close to Jesus, in the time period of His death, mourned his passing, but soon came to the realization that He had eternal life and that His sacrifice provides eternal life to those who Believe in Him as our Savior and who accept His Gospel.

Let us read Psalm 34:18 (ESV), "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

Because of our busy human lives, we sometimes put off asking God for sin forgiveness and we feel remorse and mourning when we realize that. However, when we pray and tell God we are sorry, His forgiveness gives us comfort.

Mourning is a normal part of being human and God watches over us when we mourn. His love and caring for us all, as His children, helps us through these times and we are thankful for His help. May God Bless.

 

[bobinfaith]

Hello Pastor Gary;

2024 has been a busy year. I've officiated many funerals and when preparing each message many times the words or Scriptures fall short with the family grieving the loss of their loved one.

In Blessed are... (Week Number 2) provides an encouraging message. We should never rush grieving or mourning for this is God's way of bringing healing to us in His time.

Come to think of it, when we remember Jesus at the Cross still brings grieving but it's His Risen at the Cross that heals us from the results and promises of our Lord and Savior.

God bless you, Pastor Gary, and thank you for sharing.

Bob

 

[Cosia]

Hi Pastor Gary
I love the way that you have made it very clear that He is there to comfort us, when we are grieving, as we sometimes can forget that.
God Bless

 

[Cosia]

Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

Jesus, The Son of God, lived with the Father in Heaven, and came to earth to teach us how to live, and to die on a cross, to save us from our sins, to show us the way to heaven.

He left all his glory in heaven, to live a gentle and humble life. He came as a baby, born in a stable.

In John Chapter 8 the Pharisees wanted to stone a woman to death, who had been caught in adultery. But Jesus said to them, "let he who is without sin cast the first stone" No one dared move, and Jesus gently held her hand and helped her up. That was a great lesson of how to treat all people with gentleness.

Jesus loved the children and welcomed them to come to him.

Mark 9:36-37 (WEB) 36 He took a little child, and set him in the middle of them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such little child in my name, receives me, and whoever receives me, doesn’t receive me, but him who sent me.”

Jesus was without sin, and he was gentle. If we follow him we can learn from him.

Matthew 11:29 (WEB)
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul.
And so we read that Jesus was gentle with animals, children, his disciples, the sick, sinners, the blind and lame. I am sure you can add some more.

Gentleness is a fruit of The Holy Spirit, freely given if we ask for it, and we follow
Our Lord Jesus Christ.

God Bless us all with gentleness in our hearts.

 

[Pastor Gary]

Blessed Are... (Week Number 4)

Matthew 5:6 (WEB)
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."

As Christians, God has expectations for us and following His Word and living His Word is our responsibility, the best as we, as humans, can.

1 John 2:29 (WEB)
If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness, has been born of him.

Our righteousness will be seen by others and persons around us will use us as role models to better themselves in God's eyes.

1 Peter 3:12 (WEB)​

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears open to their prayer; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

Do your best to be a good person, putting others before yourself. God will notice and He will smile.

 

[Cosia]

Thank you for that important reminder Pastor Gary. You have given us a marvelous target to aim for.

 

[Cosia]

Blessed Are... (Week Number 5)

Matthew 5:7 (WEB) - 7
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

People who are in authority have the power to punish someone and also the power to reprieve.
When we say The Lord's Prayer we include a plea to our Heavenly Father "... Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us...."
When we say that, is it from our heart? Or is it just to obtain forgiveness, and thereby mercy? Do we show mercy to others? Do we completely forgive?

Hebrews 8:12 (WEB) - 12
"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness. I will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more.”

If we have the power to dismiss a worker, would we be prepared to give them another chance or just dismiss them?

If someone stole something from you and they came to you and asked for forgiveness what would you do?

If someone lied about you would you be merciful?

God is amazing, He shows mercy and forgets the sin.

Psalm 103:8 (WEB) - "Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness."

 

[Pastor Gary]

Blessed Are... (Week Number 6)

Matthew 5:8 (WEB) - 8
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

When we accept Christ as our Savior, we repent of our sins and make every attempt to not repeat those sins. However, we are less-than-perfect humans and we may occasionally slip. But God understands and allows us to repent as needed, so we cleanse ourselves spiritually.

Psalm 51:10 (WEB) -
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.

As our walk on God's path moves forward and we mature in His Word, we understand more and more as to how important it is not to slip back. God has given us the gift of memory, and we remember why we had to repent and try our best to stay away from those sins.

Jeremiah 17:10 (WEB) -
10 “I, Yahweh, search the mind. I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”

Our sincere intention to not slip back to the old ways is seen by God and He will welcome us into Heaven when our time comes. God reaches out to those who have a pure heart and good intentions and we thank Him, in Jesus name, for those Blessings.

 

[Cosia]

A very encouraging Devotional, thank you Pastor Gary.

 

[Cosia]

Blessed Are... (Week Number 7)

Matthew 5:9 (WEB)
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God."

This brings to mind political leaders who try to make peace between two countries who are at war with each other.

They send messages to call for peace, to stop the loss of life. At times they will fly across to meet the leaders at war, in the hope that peace will arrive.
God Bless those peacemakers.

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Acts 7:26 (ESV)
The next day he saw two of his own people fighting and he wanted to make peace. "You are brothers," he said, "Why are you fighting?"

Just as Moses did not like to see the two brothers fighting, we don't like to see our brothers and sisters hurting each other. Do we always try to make peace when we see this happen, or do we walk away? We could have a chance of restoring a precious relationship or friendship, if we calmly talk peace to them. It would be pleasing to God, and the people concerned would be grateful for the kindness shown to them.

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If there is any way of reconciling two or even more, we are expected to do so.
How I would love to hear a sermon on peacemaking.

2 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV)
Finally brothers rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.

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2 Corinthians 5:18 (WEB)
But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation.

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We need to remember there is a ministry for reconciliation.
God Bless and may we all be at peace with each other. Peace brings happiness.

 

[Pastor Gary]

Blessed are... (Week Number 8)

Matthew 5:10 (WEB)
"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."

When we do diligent studies and accept Christ as our Savior, we may become targets of those who are anti-Christian. We look to terrorist acts in recent weeks, by radicals, who have gone into primarily Christian locations to cause chaos and harm. We MUST be vigilant and be very wise in our abilities to stay safe and not become victims.

James 1:5 (WEB)
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

Staying safe in the face of Christian persecution takes thoughtfulness and knowledge on our part to recognize potential threats. When we have knowledge and use the Armor of God, we can recognize threats and take action to remain safe.

Ephesians 6:11 (WEB)
"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

The US Department of Homeland Security has resources available for citizens to review. Link is below:

DHS Resources Page for Faith Based Leadership

1 James 5:4 (WEB)
"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith."