Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Don't confuse this blessing to say, "Blessed are the peaceful." Jesus is not talking about people who keep to themselves and avoid conflict. He is talking about those who take on the hard job of making peace. And Jesus is only doing and teaching what the Old Testament has already taught: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns" (Isaiah 52:7).
Peace making is working to enable the transformation of brokenness into Shalom - wholeness - peace. Peace making means replacing the living out of our brokenness with the good news and announcing salvation. It is not appeasement. It is not compromise. It is declaring that "God reigns!" It is working for the wholeness of all peoples.
Where can you make peace today? Where can you announce that there is a way to live where Jesus heals brokenness and makes all things new? Where can God reign today that he has never been invited to reign before? People who take this assignment on... who look for broken places to bring God's message... they will be called the children of God.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
The pure in heart (Matt 5:8)
Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
I have a girlfriend who is a pastor. She is very effective in her work... has built new churches, has pastored a congregation of thousands, has led presbytery committees that have made a significant difference in the world, etc. I started thinking about why she is so successful - and I have come to believe that it is because she has laser sharp focus on God's mission. She is focused on the mission of God and not any number of other things that could distract her. She doesn't worry about being liked (my big flaw) - or about pressures placed on her by others that have nothing to do with God's vision - or about the worrisome details of how impossible things are going to get accomplished. Instead she has a God given vision and she stays 100% focused on it. She has faith that God has both given her a vision and will give her the power to do his work - so she doesn't waste time worrying over it. In all the years I have known her, I have never seen her worried. When things don't go as planned, she doesn't see that as a problem, but as a opportunity to obtain the vision in a new way - a way previously unplanned. She stays focused on the goal no matter what. And equips her congregation to be focused on the goal.
This is purity in heart - focused on one goal - God's goal. What vision has God given you? How focused are you on that vision? What things distract you? Be pure of heart!
I have a girlfriend who is a pastor. She is very effective in her work... has built new churches, has pastored a congregation of thousands, has led presbytery committees that have made a significant difference in the world, etc. I started thinking about why she is so successful - and I have come to believe that it is because she has laser sharp focus on God's mission. She is focused on the mission of God and not any number of other things that could distract her. She doesn't worry about being liked (my big flaw) - or about pressures placed on her by others that have nothing to do with God's vision - or about the worrisome details of how impossible things are going to get accomplished. Instead she has a God given vision and she stays 100% focused on it. She has faith that God has both given her a vision and will give her the power to do his work - so she doesn't waste time worrying over it. In all the years I have known her, I have never seen her worried. When things don't go as planned, she doesn't see that as a problem, but as a opportunity to obtain the vision in a new way - a way previously unplanned. She stays focused on the goal no matter what. And equips her congregation to be focused on the goal.
This is purity in heart - focused on one goal - God's goal. What vision has God given you? How focused are you on that vision? What things distract you? Be pure of heart!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The merciful (Matthew 5:7)
Matthew 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy."
Are you merciful? There are two parts to being merciful. On one hand, mercy means offering forgiveness to those who have wronged you. On the other hand, mercy means offering tangible compassion to those in need - whether they deserve it or not.
Who needs your forgiveness or compassion? Who needs to know about God's forgiveness and compassion? Offer mercy!
Are you merciful? There are two parts to being merciful. On one hand, mercy means offering forgiveness to those who have wronged you. On the other hand, mercy means offering tangible compassion to those in need - whether they deserve it or not.
Who needs your forgiveness or compassion? Who needs to know about God's forgiveness and compassion? Offer mercy!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Those who weep (Luke 6:21)
Luke 6:21 "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
Once, when I was going through a difficult season, God positioned a special person in my life - someone I could lean on and trust. Then through the circumstances of life, we were separated. In the separation, there was great sorrow for me. It left such a hole in my life, that all I could think is that I wish there had been more time for laughter. Laughter had not come easy during this difficult time we had encountered together, but there had been enough laughter to know I wanted more! Lots more! In fact, I craved more. So it gives me hope to read that in Jesus' kingdom there will be laughter! I love that God values laughter! And I look forward to the day when I get to laugh with this special person again.
What Jesus is promising is that the norm in his kingdom is laughter. Laughter that is possible because he has made all the broken things right - fixed all the broken stuff that separates and spoils. Possible because we can let down our guard and expose our best selves - possible because good stuff fills us up and runs over.
But the promise of future laughter can be so hard to hear when sorrow overwhelms us. When we are really suffering, we often just want the present situation fixed - we aren't at a place where we can look ahead to a time when things are joyful. I think of Job mourning the death of his family members. At a time like that, being promised laughter some other time, might not cut it. I doubt it made a very big dent in his sorrow as he initially ached for the people he loved. But often as we begin to heal from grief, we discover the need and desire for laughter - it helps us let go of the sorrow. This kind of laughter means we have let go of our burdens if even only for a minute and felt joy. This kind of laughter shared with another is intimate - it means letting down our guard to reveal the best side of ourselves.
"Your kingdom come - your will be done" might be (loosely and simplistically) translated "bring on the laughter!" Celebrate the kingdom of God today by laughing!!
Once, when I was going through a difficult season, God positioned a special person in my life - someone I could lean on and trust. Then through the circumstances of life, we were separated. In the separation, there was great sorrow for me. It left such a hole in my life, that all I could think is that I wish there had been more time for laughter. Laughter had not come easy during this difficult time we had encountered together, but there had been enough laughter to know I wanted more! Lots more! In fact, I craved more. So it gives me hope to read that in Jesus' kingdom there will be laughter! I love that God values laughter! And I look forward to the day when I get to laugh with this special person again.
What Jesus is promising is that the norm in his kingdom is laughter. Laughter that is possible because he has made all the broken things right - fixed all the broken stuff that separates and spoils. Possible because we can let down our guard and expose our best selves - possible because good stuff fills us up and runs over.
But the promise of future laughter can be so hard to hear when sorrow overwhelms us. When we are really suffering, we often just want the present situation fixed - we aren't at a place where we can look ahead to a time when things are joyful. I think of Job mourning the death of his family members. At a time like that, being promised laughter some other time, might not cut it. I doubt it made a very big dent in his sorrow as he initially ached for the people he loved. But often as we begin to heal from grief, we discover the need and desire for laughter - it helps us let go of the sorrow. This kind of laughter means we have let go of our burdens if even only for a minute and felt joy. This kind of laughter shared with another is intimate - it means letting down our guard to reveal the best side of ourselves.
"Your kingdom come - your will be done" might be (loosely and simplistically) translated "bring on the laughter!" Celebrate the kingdom of God today by laughing!!
Monday, May 23, 2011
The hungry and thirsty (Matt 5:6)
Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Luke 6:21 "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.
The desire to be righteous encompasses all kinds of things... the desire to for living in personal integrity, the desire for justice in the world, the desire to be in right relationships with God and others.
By looking at other things that Jesus said during his ministry, we get a glimpse of how this hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled in God's Kingdom. In John 6, Jesus described himself as food: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." In John 4, Jesus tells the woman at the well, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life."
Who describes themselves as food and water? Strange! Yet, it is through Jesus - that the desire for righteousness is filled. Through his death and resurrection where we are forgiven and cleansed. And then given the power of the Holy Spirit to follow in his way.
So how does this affect our lives today? For one thing, we should crave being right with God and others! Therefore we should seek it. For another, while we may see glimpses of righteousness in this world, we also see a great void of righteousness. And yet, we have hope that through Jesus, in his kingdom, one day righteousness will be a reality.
So with courage and hope, we seek to live in right relationship with God and others.
Luke 6:21 "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.
The desire to be righteous encompasses all kinds of things... the desire to for living in personal integrity, the desire for justice in the world, the desire to be in right relationships with God and others.
By looking at other things that Jesus said during his ministry, we get a glimpse of how this hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled in God's Kingdom. In John 6, Jesus described himself as food: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." In John 4, Jesus tells the woman at the well, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life."
Who describes themselves as food and water? Strange! Yet, it is through Jesus - that the desire for righteousness is filled. Through his death and resurrection where we are forgiven and cleansed. And then given the power of the Holy Spirit to follow in his way.
So how does this affect our lives today? For one thing, we should crave being right with God and others! Therefore we should seek it. For another, while we may see glimpses of righteousness in this world, we also see a great void of righteousness. And yet, we have hope that through Jesus, in his kingdom, one day righteousness will be a reality.
So with courage and hope, we seek to live in right relationship with God and others.
Friday, May 20, 2011
The Strong Gentle People (Matt 5:5)
Matthew 5:5 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Many years ago, I saw a picture that had been taken in Norway of a big broad-shouldered man in his mid-forties holding his newborn child in his hands. The man's body overwhelmed the tiny helpless baby. His hands - like his arms - were muscular and strong - a force to be reckoned with. The man had the power to crush the child with no effort at all and yet, the look in his eyes left no doubt that the child was safer in this man's arms than anywhere else on earth. I don't know who this man was, but I instantly fell in love with him! And this man became the picture in my mind of someone who is meek: powerful, but gentle.
“Meek” is the Greek word "praus." It brings to mind the modern word "prowess" which we often used to describe a lion. It denotes the strength of a lion that has been brought under control. It was used in the first century to describe a wild horse tamed to the bridle. The Norwegian man in the picture - he was no less strong when he held his baby than when he led the teams of big burly firece men on the dangerous oil rigs he managed. His strength was gentle and under control.
On the other hand, one time I listened politely to a mother proudly describe her grown son as meek. But I knew the man. He was weak, not meek. I had watched him cower as his half-crazy wife pushed him around and created havoc in their lives and in the lives of others. He couldn't function if he didn't have a woman in his life telling him what to do. His wife had just taken over where his mother had left off. There is a huge difference between being weak and meek! Her son had no internal strength whatsoever. He was pushed here and there at his wife's whims. He and meek were worlds apart.
Jesus taught that the meek - those whose strength is under control - those with gentle strength will inherit the earth.
Is your strength gentle? Is your power - like the Norwegian man's - tender? Do your arms show muscles while your eyes show love?
The strong gentle people will inherit the earth. Be strong, but gentle.
Many years ago, I saw a picture that had been taken in Norway of a big broad-shouldered man in his mid-forties holding his newborn child in his hands. The man's body overwhelmed the tiny helpless baby. His hands - like his arms - were muscular and strong - a force to be reckoned with. The man had the power to crush the child with no effort at all and yet, the look in his eyes left no doubt that the child was safer in this man's arms than anywhere else on earth. I don't know who this man was, but I instantly fell in love with him! And this man became the picture in my mind of someone who is meek: powerful, but gentle.
“Meek” is the Greek word "praus." It brings to mind the modern word "prowess" which we often used to describe a lion. It denotes the strength of a lion that has been brought under control. It was used in the first century to describe a wild horse tamed to the bridle. The Norwegian man in the picture - he was no less strong when he held his baby than when he led the teams of big burly firece men on the dangerous oil rigs he managed. His strength was gentle and under control.
On the other hand, one time I listened politely to a mother proudly describe her grown son as meek. But I knew the man. He was weak, not meek. I had watched him cower as his half-crazy wife pushed him around and created havoc in their lives and in the lives of others. He couldn't function if he didn't have a woman in his life telling him what to do. His wife had just taken over where his mother had left off. There is a huge difference between being weak and meek! Her son had no internal strength whatsoever. He was pushed here and there at his wife's whims. He and meek were worlds apart.
Jesus taught that the meek - those whose strength is under control - those with gentle strength will inherit the earth.
Is your strength gentle? Is your power - like the Norwegian man's - tender? Do your arms show muscles while your eyes show love?
The strong gentle people will inherit the earth. Be strong, but gentle.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Those in mourning (Matt 5:4)
Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Right after remembering the poor, Jesus remembers those who are experiencing sorrow. He leaves it wide open as to what kind of sorrow... so we can assume that this statement encompasses every kind of grief imaginable. And one thing is clear, Jesus hurts when we hurt. Remember how he cried when he saw the sorrow on Mary's face after her brother Lazarus died?
There is another side to this coin too... when we follow Jesus, our hearts will break for the things that Jesus' heart breaks over. We will have sorrow simply because we follow Jesus into places where people need help. But in his kingdom, we will also find comfort. Peace that passes understanding. And even more so... we will comfort others.
Whenever God blesses us, he expects us to share that blessing with others. So if you have been comforted - and Jesus will send comfort to all of us if we let him - it is your responsibility to offer comfort to others - thus spreading the goodness of the kingdom of God. Who needs comfort today? Offer it.
My friend told me a story about his wife. His mother went out of her way to be abusive to his wife. This went on for ten or fifteen years when one day his father died. He said his wife put away all those years of hurt and comforted his mother. He said it was a profound moment when his wife stepped off the elevator at the hospital and hugged his mother. She didn't deserve it. But it didn't matter. His wife was being the hands and feet of Jesus offering comfort to someone who didn't deserve it. We are most like Christ when we offer his blessings to others who don't deserve it.
Be like Jesus today!
Right after remembering the poor, Jesus remembers those who are experiencing sorrow. He leaves it wide open as to what kind of sorrow... so we can assume that this statement encompasses every kind of grief imaginable. And one thing is clear, Jesus hurts when we hurt. Remember how he cried when he saw the sorrow on Mary's face after her brother Lazarus died?
There is another side to this coin too... when we follow Jesus, our hearts will break for the things that Jesus' heart breaks over. We will have sorrow simply because we follow Jesus into places where people need help. But in his kingdom, we will also find comfort. Peace that passes understanding. And even more so... we will comfort others.
Whenever God blesses us, he expects us to share that blessing with others. So if you have been comforted - and Jesus will send comfort to all of us if we let him - it is your responsibility to offer comfort to others - thus spreading the goodness of the kingdom of God. Who needs comfort today? Offer it.
My friend told me a story about his wife. His mother went out of her way to be abusive to his wife. This went on for ten or fifteen years when one day his father died. He said his wife put away all those years of hurt and comforted his mother. He said it was a profound moment when his wife stepped off the elevator at the hospital and hugged his mother. She didn't deserve it. But it didn't matter. His wife was being the hands and feet of Jesus offering comfort to someone who didn't deserve it. We are most like Christ when we offer his blessings to others who don't deserve it.
Be like Jesus today!
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