“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
I can’t remember when I first tried to live by the promises of God, but I am still trying to do so. If God promises something, he will make good on that promise. In the little book I wrote forever ago called LIVING THE WORDS OF JESUS I wrote “principles,” “promises,” and “commands.” I found that what God commands me to do, I have great difficulty doing. I also found that trying to live by applying God’s principles is mostly impossible for me because it depends on me. BUT God’s promises depend on God—not me! What a relief!
This morning, I decided to live the promise of blessedness as found in the Beatitudes. We can substitute the word “happy” for “blessedness.” That means I can be happy today. I’ll start with just a few promises. “Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:7-9). If I am merciful, pure in heart, and make peace I will be happy. But I don’t even get past “merciful” in this place where I live because everybody here needs to receive mercy.
When it comes to being “pure in heart,” I totally fail, don’t you?
I might be able to be a peacemaker today if I ask God to help me. There are complaints about the food here and sometimes the residents are not at all kind to the servers who really do try to please everybody. But it’s really hard to make peace with old people.
Do you want to be happy or blessed today? Maybe you could ask God to help you make peace when your kids start to argue. You could make peace with your own siblings when you sense division. You could be more patient with your spouse. Will you confess your sins and thus make peace with God?
Let’s do it together. Let’s be happy today.
P.S. to Susie: You sent me orchids and they are beautiful! I want to thank you, but I do not have your email or mailing address. Can you send me your email address? That’s easiest for me. Thanks.
Thank you Rosemary for sharing the way God continues to speak to you through His Precious Word and you continue to apply it in your daily life. Your posts here encourage and instruct and point me to JESUS. God Bless you!
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