Weekly Devo

  "And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.""     The Sermon on the Mount gives us a lot of valuable information. We need take a moment and think on it. So let’s do that in the next few days. Starting in Matthew chapter 5 we see Jesus stand before the multitudes and give a formal declaration. He opened His mouth and taught them all. The great teacher on the mountain top, with multitudes at His feet, didn’t hold back the truth. He preached it like it is.   The first thing He says is “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.   What does that mean? Let’s look at it.       This “poor” is not about money or material wealth. The poor still means lacking. This lacking in spirit is about needing something. Christ is talking about the attitude one has th

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. Romans 12:17          Don’t seek to get even. I know it can be hard sometimes to curve our tongue or hold back that free knuckle sandwich. It's not up to us to get even. God is the one who takes care of vengeance ( Rm. 12:19 ). When we jump in the fire and starting fighting with fire we are no better than the offender. Seek to do good to all ( Gal. 6:10 ).       Christ makes it very clear in Matthew chapter 6 what we needed to do. In fact in verses 38-42 He paints a vibrant picture of what our actions should be in the face of offence. He says to turn your cheek, give him your cloak and go the second mile.  We don't need to be aggressive in our response. We need to seek to serve. With that service you are stealing their passion for offending you. You will heap burning coals on their head ( Rm. 12:20 ).        Think on that today and ask your self "How can I do good to th

Awesome!!! Take a moment and read this great news!! Preach the word ( 2 Tim. 4:1-2 ).The world is listening! "...“really amazing the restoration that is going on here despite continued problems with some negative influences from the past. It is so gratifying to work with people so hungry for the truth. They just soak it in like sponges and are willing to face any ridicule for the cause of Christ. Beautiful!”...." http://brotherhoodnews.com/2014/11/02/pastor-converts/

      There were wise and prized citizens that came to be Christians. Queen Candace’s treasurer ( Acts 8:27 ) and Sergius Paulus the proconsul of Crete ( Acts 13:6-12 ) were among them. A mighty judge of Athens, Dionysius the Areopagite became apart of the body ( Acts 17:34 ).  Synagogue rulers Crispus and Sosthenes became Christians ( Acts 18:8 &17 ). Women of nobility in Berea and Thessalonica were immersed ( Acts 17:4 & 12 ). They were not treated any different ( Deut. 10:17 & Acts 10:34 ). God shows no partiality. God does not value a person the way the world does. We shouldn't either. We are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus ( Gal. 3:26-29, Col. 3:8-11 ).                             Do you create walls between you and others based on status? Do you deem worth in the body by ones social appearance? Does social status give one prime choice in your body? Are you showing partiality?

“ Be of the same mind toward one another.   Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.   Do not be wise in   your own opinion. ” Romans 12:16 We are not to establish a pecking order based on our pride. Being wise in your eyes means you think others are not. Thinking others are not means you look down on them. Not that we would like to accept that thought nor say it openly. We take this stance when it comes to our society. The world likes brackets and positions. The only way to establish such things is with a measuring stick.  Those that are deemed wise are at the top at any level or division. Many try their hand at self-proclamation when it comes to wisdom in order to gain the “top.”              When you think you are wise you have no desire to look to God for wisdom.   When the world considers you wise or you yourself do it’s a struggle to admit when you’re wrong. I wonder how much worldly education really does play into how well or if we obey