Author: Pastor Doug

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:9 (ESV).

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Peacemaking is a difficult subject, in scripture and in life. It seems like we would be able to define it fairly simply, but ironically we often argue about peacemaking. I’m sure Jesus would shake His head sadly at some of our efforts.

Jesus lived during a time known as the “Pax Romana”, the peace of Rome. This “peace” was established and maintained by the Roman Army. While there may have been general order, the level of concern for one another was dismal. Jesus invites us to see how God’s peace is based on loving one another, even our enemies.

Paul calls us to experience the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:17), much more than just the absence of violence. It is based on our connection to the Father and our desire to share that joy with everyone. This is true peace for us as individuals and for humanity.

Loving Lord, we are sorry when we resort to angry words and violent acts to make a point. Remind us that peace begins with each of us every day. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:8 (ESV).

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

The CSB Study Bible Notes explain the term pure in heart as “one authentically righteous in the inner person”, someone who is not just ritually pure or using their faith  for show. It indicates a heart fully surrendered to God.

In the Old Testament people are warned against seeing God. The old hymn Holy, Holy, Holy says “Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see.” Sinful creatures such as ourselves can’t exist in His presence.

When we have returned to Him in repentance, and realize our salvation depends on accepting Christ as our Savior, we can begin to be pure in heart and expect the blessing of seeing God ourselves. We are called to share this joy with the world.

Loving Lord, we want to see You as You are, but we often fall short of Your plan for us. Strengthen our faith and send us to tell the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:7 (ESV).

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Mercy is a term we don’t hear or use much anymore. The Oxford dictionary defines it as “compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.” Without God’s mercy given to us, we would be lost.

Our sin separates us from God. He could give us what we deserve and it would be justified, but instead He offers us mercy we don’t deserve. I remember a sculpture in a church when I was young that showed the world with a giant clenched fist labeled “Justice” being held back by an equally giant hand labeled “Mercy”.

Jesus says in order to follow Him and share in the Kingdom, we must be merciful as well. Do we have a chance to be generous instead of demanding payment or punishment? We must consider the treatment we would wish for if the situation were reversed. We are called to share the mercy God first gave us.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry that we have behaved badly and deserve Your justice. Forgive us and in Your mercy send us to tell the Good News to the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:6 (ESV).

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Jesus speaks to us about righteousness, which many equate with justice or obeying the law. While that is part of the concept, it isn’t the whole idea. Righteousness as Jesus teaches is being in a right relationship with God and His children.

More than that, Jesus wants us to see righteousness is something as essential as food and water, something we can’t live without. In Psalm 42:2 we read “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God”. We can see this in the prayer Jesus taught us when we say “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.” 

Jesus closes this verse with the promise “they shall be satisfied”, that when we return in repentance, and live with each other as God intends, we are helping to bring His Kingdom on Earth. Jesus left us with the mission to carry on His ministry, sharing God’s love that everyone may hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Gracious God, You have filled us with a longing to be connected to You and one another. Help us to share the joy and eagerness for Your Kingdom with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:5 (ESV).

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Meek is an interesting word that isn’t used much in modern culture.  No one wants to be thought of as a doormat, and unfortunately that’s what we often associate with meekness. As always, translation and society often play a big part in our misunderstanding of Scripture.

Proverbs 3:5 tells us “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” We count on God’s wisdom and strength, not our own. Being meek or humble means we put our faith in His love for us rather than any human thing.

Jesus quotes Psalm 37:11 here: “But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.” God wants us to be strong in Him, not in our own ways. When we serve Him and each other as Jesus taught, we are preparing ourselves for His kingdom.

Gracious God, we are sorry for the times that our pride outweighs our faith. Forgive us and help us to lean on You that we may share Your love with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:4 (ESV).

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

The Bible App (bible.com) is doing a study on The Beatitudes and since I follow their scriptures each day, I’ll be writing on them as well. Jesus gives us a list of blessings that we don’t normally see as good things and how God can use them to reach each one of us.

When we think of mourning, we usually associate it with a loss. While God is there to comfort us when we experience grief, Jesus is speaking about more than just a human loss. He wants us to understand that if we aren’t mourning over our sins, we should be.

When we realize our own issues, it should make us sad. Jesus wants us to see the need for sorrow over our lack of love for God and each other. However, when we return in repentance, God is there to comfort us. When we are truly sorry for the wrong we think and do, God accepts and forgives us.

Patient Lord, You have shown us what is necessary to be saved from our sin and You wait for us to make that decision. Help us to help others see the need for You in their lives. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:1-3 (ESV).

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) contains Jesus’ teachings on virtually every aspect of life with God and each other. In each lesson we get a picture of how things are different in the Kingdom of God than what we have allowed to happen on earth. He wants us to realize we have choices beyond the things we see here.

He begins with a statement about how those who know they need God are blessed. Too often we trust in the three P’s – power, position and possessions. Jesus tells us that none of these can save us from our sin because these are temporary, human created things. Only by recognizing our need for Him and asking His forgiveness can we enter God’s Kingdom.

Jesus has much more to teach us about how we interact with God and each other, and in almost every case it is the exact opposite of what we find in the world. This upside-down kingdom confuses those who put their trust in things, but for those who believe in Christ’s power and love, it is salvation. We trust His promise of an eternal place for us with Him.

Loving Lord, we are ashamed of our failure to love one another as You taught us. Forgive us and send us to all who need to hear the Good News of Your Kingdom. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NLT).

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Humbling ourselves is not something we seem to do naturally or easily. Our pride often prevents us from doing the right thing even though we know it’s the right thing. God made us in His image and gave us free will to choose, but He also gave us His love to lead us back to Him.

Paul reminds us of Christ’s teaching before the Last Supper, that “whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave” (Matthew 20:27). Loving others through our service is the best way to be like Jesus. We need to understand that humbling ourselves is not demeaning but honest and loving.

This passage concludes with the guidance to “give all your worries and cares to God”, another example of humble worship. Our pride says we have to deal with things ourselves; our faith tells us to give it up to the One who cares most for us. We are never alone and God wants to be part of everything we do.

Heavenly Father, forgive us when we allow our pride to rule our actions. Send us to serve our brothers and sisters with Your love and share the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 77:11-12 (NLT).

But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.

The psalmist lists a variety of issues causing pain and sorrow and wonders why God hasn’t intervened. However, God’s “wonderful deeds of long ago” and His saving grace given to His people are remembered, and the psalmist once again thinks of God’s love. Even when things seem to be at their worst, God is there for us.

We tend to call on God when we are in need, but forget His care for us when things are good. Deuteronomy 8:14 warns us “Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.” God wants us to be connected always, not just when we need His help.

Putting our trust in Him is both an everyday and all our lives task. We have a choice to make – live according to the world’s ways or follow the path of faith we have been shown. It is up to us, but God is always there, ready to enfold us in His love.

Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we have forsaken the relationship You offer us. Forgive us and send us to show the joy we find in You with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Acts 20:24 (NLT).

But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

Paul knows that “jail and suffering” await him on his coming journey to Jerusalem (Acts 20:23) but as Jesus did, he continues in faith. He tells us “my life is worth nothing unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus.” While there is earthly opposition to the spread of the Gospel, it is what we are called to accomplish.

Jesus told us that as His disciples we would face persecution and hate in the world. He also said “But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). In Matthew 28:19 He commanded us “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” This is the assignment Paul mentions here.

We are called to follow the path of Jesus just as Paul was. We may never travel to faraway places to share the Gospel (but we might!), and there are plenty of opportunities to represent Jesus right where we are. All we have to do is accept the forgiveness He offers and share that blessing with those around us.

Loving Lord, You sent Your Son to save us from ourselves. Thank You for Your love and forgiveness. Send us to tell the Good News everywhere. Amen.