What’s on your Christmas Wish List this year? What if instead of making a Wish List you created a Christmas Blessing List.
The Sermon on the Mount has been floating through my head for a few days now. Yesterday I wrote the “How Long?” post. Some people who are wondering How Long before they receive the blessings outlined in the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5:3-11.
The poor in Spirit will receive the kingdom of heaven. How is the Spirit Within You? Is it at peace? Are you asking for a filling and a renewal? Is there someone you know who you could bless with a prayer, a note of encouragement, a Spiritually uplifting book or devotional?
Those who are mourning will be comforted. We often think of mourning only in terms of the death of someone beloved, yet there are other things people mourn the loss of as well. Loss of job or income, loss of home, loss of health, loss of friendships due to moving, loss of family due to divorce or separation. Who do you know that needs some comfort? What might you be able to do this year to help them receive feel that comfort?
The meek will inherit the earth. These are people who have a quiet inner strength and confidence, people who are gentle and humble. These are people who care and tend for things, not people who destroy what God has created. We usually think of inheritance as something handed or passed on from one generation to another. A parent is not likely to give their property to a child who is destructive or who would not take care of it. The story of the Prodigal Son shows us what an immature person does with their inheritance. Who might you help this year in some way to receive an inheritance of property? Or what might you do to help preserve the earth? There are many people and organizations involved in teaching about environmental concerns. How can you help pass on good inheritance. Consider this question when donating to charitable organizations; Who or what organizations tend well to their finances while tending well to their cause?
Those who desire righteousness will be filled. Our righteousness doesn’t come from our work or deeds; it comes from heaven; from the Holy Spirit. When filled with the Holy Spirit, we do good works and deeds that help restore and reconcile that which has been harmed or broken.
Those who are merciful will receive mercy. Those who are compassionate, caring, kind, will receive the same treatment. Compassion moves people to do something when they see someone hurting or in need. They give from what they have and, or, bring a sense of awareness to others who might not know there are people in need of help, whether it be food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, a feeling of being cared for, comforted, and loved. The promise is that God will see to it that when these people are hurting, or in need, someone will be moved to show some compassion on them. (Grace goes beyond that – grace gives even the person has not given of themselves. Grace often softens a hard-hearted person, and as their heart softens, as they receive the Spirit of the Lord, and they feel comforted and cared for, they begin to have a sense of compassion.)
The pure in heart will see God. A heart that has received grace, that has experienced forgiveness and mercy, a humbled heart, helps a person have clarity of sight. There were many hard-hearted people in the world when Jesus was born, when he lived, and when he was crucified. People whose hearts were so impure they could not begin to comprehend that Jesus was (and is) God’s son. Jesus, whose heart was pure, saw that every person has the right to become a child of God, through the power and gift of the Holy Spirit. He implored people to receive the Spirit. It might be odd for some people to think about looking for the face of God in other people, but it is a good thing for us to consider, even when we look into the mirror at home. Do we recognize and believe that we are created in the image of a loving, caring, compassionate, merciful, grace-filled God? What or who clouds our vision and minds with doubt? Who can we turn to have our sight restored, our hearts purified, and hope renewed? Seek first the kingdom of heaven, thirst for righteousness, ask for forgiveness, receive the Spirit and keep getting filled up again and again when helping to renew the face of the earth and God’s people.
The peacemakers will be called children of God. Consider that Jesus has given you the right to become a peacemaker, not only the right; you were created to fulfill this task. Wherever you live, work, wherever you spend your time in recreation, be aware of how you can help people become more peaceful, how you can calm a storm, soothe a hurting heart, fill a need. God needs us to be his peacemakers in this world now more than ever. Prayer is one way to become filled up with God’s Holy Spirit and discern what needs to happen, what we can do, and who else can help to bring peace into the lives of the people around us.
Those who are persecuted for righteousness sake will receive the kingdom of heaven. Yes, when we choose to pursue righteousness, to purify our hearts, minds, and conscience, we’ll get flack from others, ridiculed, even shamed. When we show mercy to those whom others think deserve none, when we do everything we can through the power of the Holy Spirit in humility, we will be persecuted. We will get worn out and possibly discouraged. These are symptoms of being poor in Spirit. Understand that being poor in Spirit is not being dead or void of the Spirit; it means we need a filling. Jesus often went away to a quiet place to be filled, renewed, and set his heart upon continuing to share God’s love and teach us why and how obedience to the rules of having a right relationship with God and other people is good. Relationships are more critical in matters of salvation and restoration, than acquiring money, things, slaves, power, position or prestige.
(c) June G Paul December 5, 2019
