Today’s blog post will likely seem a little disjointed . Probably not so unlike most of the one’s I write! Anyway, I had an opportunity to see God’s hand directly involved in my life through His word. To be honest, it was via a reproof or correction, but it was awesome because the God of all of the universe showed me that he cares for me. Hebrews 12:6 tells us, “The Lord corrects the people he loves and disciplines those he calls his own.” Patsy Clairmont tells a story that ends with, “I don’t want no more whoopins from the Lord!” I couldn’t agree more, but thankful that he showed me his loving correction as proof of His love!
I was thinking about my attitude, which hasn’t been great – TBH – and the daily scripture in my Bible app was one of the Beatitudes! I read the chapter with all of the notations in the Contemporary English Version and just thought I would share that today. God is SO good.
God … Thank you for being you … even when I am being me!
The Sermon on the Mount: Matt 5:1-12 (CEV)
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the side of a mountain and sat down. Jesus’ disciples gathered around him,
2 and he taught them
-sat down: Teachers in the ancient world, including Jewish teachers, usually sat down when they taught.
3 God blesses those people who depend only on Him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven!
– They belong to the kingdom of heaven: Or “The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.”
4 (Is 61.2.) God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort!
5 (Ps 37.11.) God blesses those people who are humble. The earth will belong to them!
6 (Is 55.1,2; Si 24.21.) God blesses those people who want to obey him
-who want to obey him: Or “who want to do right” or “who want everyone to be treated right.” more than to eat or drink. They will be given what they want!
7 God blesses those people who are merciful. They will be treated with mercy!
8 (Ps 24.3,4; 2 Esd 7.98.) God blesses those people whose hearts are pure. They will see him!
9 God blesses those people who make peace. They will be called his children!
10 (1 P 3.14.) God blesses those people who are treated badly for doing right. They belong to the kingdom of heaven.
-They belong to the kingdom of heaven: See the note at 5.3.
11 (1 P 4.14). God will bless you when people insult you, mistreat you, and tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me.
12 (2 Ch 36.16; Si 2.8; Ac 7.52.) Be happy and excited! You will have a great reward in heaven. People did these same things to the prophets who lived long ago.
Barnabas Man 