Morning!

Doesn’t it feel like the world is turning more and more chaotic and angry. You can’t turn on the news or even your television without seeing reports or ads promoting all the violence and rancor going on today.

It’s time to unplug and regenerate.

If you are a Christian, you’re admonished to follow a different outlook…a different path. 

Anger and fury should not be part of your way of thinking. In fact, we should be the complete opposite.

I have been reading the Sermon on the Mount especially the section on the ‘Beatitudes and Loving Your Enemies’ found in Luke 6: 20-36 and Matthew 5: 3-12

The first place to begin to unplug and to regenerate is through prayer…

Luke 6:12, “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God”. 

Jesus lived the example for which he wishes us to follow. We are certainly living through one of those times that can be described as “those days”. We should first set ourselves aside and have a good heart-to-heart talk with God.

Jesus addressed the large multitude of people that earlier in Luke were described as ‘vexed’. He took the time to heal them all and they sought to be closer to him. Jesus began where they were. When people are ‘vexed’ by something such as poverty, hunger, sadness, persecution, isolation and even being falsely accused, Jesus knew that this could cause them to be despondent.

Instead Jesus said, ‘We are Blessed…” (Luke 6 & Matthew 5)

• Blessed are the poor (in spirit – Matthew 5:3) The opposite of proud and haughty spirit
• Blessed are they that mourn….for they shall be comforted
• Blessed are the meek – to be humble before God
• Blessed are those that hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5;6) – a deep desire for a closer relationship with God
• Blessed are the merciful – extending God’s divine love to those who demonstrate unloving and unkind behavior towards you
• Blessed are the pure in heart – the only way we can truly “see” God = through God we are changed and called to be holy
• Blessed are the Peacemakers – if you’re at peace with God and live in peace you will influence others and situations around you…
• Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake…in this life we live a direct contrast to the teachings of the world – and will face persecution for our beliefs.
• Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely…to take a stand for God’s righteousness will not be popular with the mindset of the world and they will revile and persecute – it’s time to stay strong and trust completely in God

It’s all a matter of perspective about our current circumstances in light of eternity and in light of God’s sovereignty. No matter where we are or what we’re going through – we are not alone.

Love Your Enemies

In these verses, Jesus definitely lived what he taught…to the very place of the cross. Jesus demonstrated his immeasurable love to all at the cross.

In this section of verses, Jesus teaches us to act differently than what we would normally do within ourselves. 

• Love Your Enemies – do good to them that hate you
• Bless them that curse you
• Pray for them
• do not return evil for evil

Why? Because God in His great mercy demonstrated His love to all of us at all times…when we were his enemy. You see, until you accept Christ as your Savior, you are an enemy to God. Now, we become His and He asks of us to demonstrate and live His love to others…to draw them to Him. 

Our lives have great importance and how we live this life has much more to do than with what’s happening to us. We can heal a lot of the anger and rancor we face in this world simply by demonstrating kindness, love, and patience. So, don’t take on the anger that’s swirling around in this world – be different – be kind – be a light. This will bring peace and joy to your own heart as well.