GOD Morning! Boot Camp Day 3 / Wild Unknown

GOD Morning!  March 8

Boot Camp Day 3

Wild Unknown 

Matthew 5:1-26

The Sermon on the Mount; The Beatitudes

5 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He began to teach them, saying,

3 “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].

Do I regard myself as insignificant? No. When it comes right down to it, I regard myself very highly. If I regarded myself as insignificant, I would never be highly offended.

This world teaches us to put ourselves first. Oh God, help me. I must get to the place in You that I am insignificant and You are Everything.

4 “Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted].

Every day I must groan, moan and cry tears of deep repentance. Do I do this every day? No. Many days I unknowingly carry unrepentant sin around with me and wonder why I can’t find peace.

I forget to pray, “God, if there is anything in my heart that shouldn’t be there please show me and cleanse me.”

Have you ever poured your heart out to God, crying uncontrollably? And received forgiveness and cleansing? And that fresh laundry, just washed feeling? God has this for each of us every day.

5 “Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth.

Ahhhh, this is a hard one for me. I am not naturally gentle. I am naturally loud and pushy. God please make me gentle and self controlled! Only then will I inherit the earth!

6 “Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied.

I hunger for You O God! I thirst for You! I will be completely satisfied. Thank You Jesus.

7 “Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

I am sheltered by Your promises. If I ask, there is a 100% chance that I will receive mercy.

8 “Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.

Anticipating Your presence sounds exciting! But spiritually mature? The further I get into this, the more it seems impossible to achieve. However, with You in my life, ALL things are possible.  

9 “Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God.

Spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor. I like the sound of that! Yes. I long for a deep settled peace in my life at all times. This only comes from time spent in Your presence.

10 “Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].

11 “Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me. 12 Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Okay all of the previous stuff sounded hard. But this takes the cake. When I am treated like a pile of garbage for Your name, I am blessed. And I am supposed to be exceedingly joyful. My reward in heaven is absolutely inexhaustible. Okay then!

As a spoiled American, I have had very little persecution for the cause of my Savior. But from what I’m hearing and seeing all around me, this is about to change.

I am reminded of many scriptures in the Bible regarding persecution.

Psalms 9:13 Have mercy on me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, you that lift me up from the gates of death:

Psalms 119:86 All your commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help you me.

Jeremiah 20:11 But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.

Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

John 15:18 If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you.

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

1 Corinthians 4:12 And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

1 Thessalonians 3:4 For truly, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and you know.

2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Hebrews 10:33 Partly, whilst you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst you became companions of them that were so used.

1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you:

1 Peter 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Disciples and the World

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its taste (purpose), how can it be made salty? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and walked on by people [when the walkways are wet and slippery].

14 “You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.

“Dear Jesus, I want to be a light for You! I want to protect myself and my feelings less and boldly step into the unknown more. I want to get past the initial suffering and into the deep joy that comes from being persecuted for YOU. I’m a little scared as I pray this but I’m tired of my comfort zone. I give my fear to You. I lay it and myself down before Your cross. Please cover me with Your blood. Please give me courage to enter into the wild unknown. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.”