I’ve always reflected upon the Beatitudes, but lately I’ve found myself praying and meditating on these blessings in Matthew 5 more than usual. I plan to journal on the above over the next week or so. When a Believer transforms from self-centered to Christ-centered, situations which may have caused worry and anxiety in the past, eventually become moments of joy.

This is a testament of God’s Grace, which enables one to walk by the spirit.

To the natural person…one who is of carnal mind (Romans 8:5-11), and walks according to the flesh, this may seem contradictory. So they wonder the following:

How can someone be joyous when they’re in physical pain? How can this person be enthusiastic, when they’ve been  rejected and mistreated? How can he or she be content, when financial or family burdens are extreme?

In addition, there is a false prosperity gospel which teaches, that when we are saved…health, wealth, and material blessings are guaranteed to flow.

This heresy, limits and underestimates the power of God’s mercy and love, while causing many to doubt they are saved when difficulties arise, and this false teaching angers my spirit!!!

God still heals, performs miracles, and provides material and/or earthly blessings today. It is not a sin for Christians to be wealthy. We’re also told, that when Christ returns, He will make everything brand new, and take away all heartache, illness, and pain. We will want for nothing(Revelations 21)!

However, during this time, although the Lord provides for our needs, He does NOT always choose to heal or provide excessive material or monetary wealth for all Believers with HIS POWER. This does not mean, one is not saved or blessed. Many faithful men and women of the Bible, struggled with physical pain, social injustice, poverty, death, or were killed because of and/or despite of their faith. This is Truth!

*****But make no mistake, the grace and mercy from God, which allowed these Saints, and those of us today, to remain joyfully resilient during extreme trials, is a SUPERNATURAL blessing, similar to instantaneous healing and miraculous provision. Thank you Jesus! In fact, it’s during moments of slow healing, or no healing, that we’re able to experience the presence, love, and power of God on a different level.

The Lord has healed me in various ways, set me free from addictions, bondage to certain sins, strongholds, and sometimes answered my prayers faster and/or better than I could have imagined. He has always provided for my basic needs, and sent financial or material provisions when needed.

However, I live a modest lifestyle, and there are still areas where God has chosen not to remove an obstacle, or has allowed me to improve slowly and/or progressively. 

There are moments where I would have been completely devasted or broken after various experiences, and although the Lord did not reverse or change the outcome, He IMMEDIATELY provided me with strength and joy to move forward and let go effortlessly. These are all blessings!!

We may not always receive the answers we expected, but those answers will always be in agreement with God’s will, and He will provide everything we need to get through those moments. His children are never abandoned.

In terms of tribulations, when these increase, many Christians begin to question why they have endured more persecution or struggle than other Believers. We all know individuals who seem to be blessed in every area. But we must avoid comparing our walk, with that of others. We do not know, what these Believers have gone through to reach their current positions. We’re all different, and God knows exactly what we need. In times of distress, there are moments the Lord may step in at the very last moment to provide relief…but it will always be at the right time.

Most of us in the U.S. have experienced mild persecution. For example, taunting, gossip, false accusations, rejection, or even loss of material items or opportunities because of our beliefs. But few of us, have experienced persecution which threatens our lives and safety, because we are Christians as shown on the video below.

When I think of Brothers and Sisters who put their lives at risk, or have been called to live in poverty to spread the Word of God, I have no desire to complain about negative feedback. Why? Who will it benefit? If we can not endure rejection and negativity, how can we possibly handle anything beyond that?

Often when we have difficulty enduring milder forms of persecution, pride is the problem. We must each ask ourselves, are we willing to let go of the world, to Walk in the Spirit? If we’re blessed with wealth and material items, how much are we willing to share or give away? Are we truly dealing with persecution, or do we love the praise of humans? Are we hungry for righteousness or lusting for personal gain? Are we more concerned with self-promotion and recognition, than glorifying God?

Luke 9:23-27 “Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

This all reminds me of The Sermon on the Mount. In that sermon, Jesus lovingly described what we can expect as Believers, how to live as Christians, and that blessings are much more than material or earthly desires. We can not be Salt and Light in this world, an ambassador for Christ, without experiencing the beautiful Beatitudes.

Please read the sermon entitled “Believers are Salt and Light” by David B. Curtis in my next entry. Blessings, Miss T

Matthew 5:1-16

Beatitudes, Salt, and Light

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying: 
 Blessed are the poor in spirit,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
 Blessed are those who mourn,
      for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
      for they will inherit the earth. 
 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
      for they will be filled. 
 Blessed are the merciful,
      for they will be shown mercy. 
 Blessed are the pure in heart,
      for they will see God. 
 Blessed are the peacemakers,
      for they will be called sons of God. 
 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Your response: