Embrace the Within no. 109

“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].”

Matthew 5:3 AMP

Salvation is not a call for me to be arrogant. Salvation is a call for my service. Quite often I can look at other image bearers of God and feel in a better situation because of grace when I should really be looking to use that grace to make better their situation. And the latter needs to happen a lot more in my life.

“What happiness comes to you when you feel your spiritual poverty! For yours is the realm of heaven’s kingdom.”

Matthew 5:3 TPT

When I begin to realize that my salvation is not just a gift for me BUT a gift for all around me, then I can find happiness in sharing that gift. Too often I take a step back when I should take a step forward. Too often I feel it isn’t my place to interject God’s gift of salvation into the lives of people that really need to hear. I need to be that reminder of God’s great news by my thoughts, my words, and my actions daily.

Blessed are the poore in spirit, for theirs is the kingdome of heauen.

Matthew 5:3 GNV

Servitude to others is how I show the Kingdom here on earth. Ambassadors of God’s Kingdom are not out to prove their superiority BUT rather to take a lesser role, a servant’s role. Just as Christ humbled and served humanity in His life death, and resurrection, so I need to serve other image bearers in my life, death, and hope of resurrection in Christ.

“Blessed (Favored by God; happy; prosperous) are the humble in Spirit [Ruach], for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven”

Matthew 5:3 NMV

So, today and every day I need to not look at my gift from God as something to be lorded over others like the pagans would do. I need to not look at power as something to acquire for my own glory. I need to look at position as a means to bringing others the blessings of God. I need to look at the gifts I am granted as an opportunity to share with others. Adopting a servant’s mind, a servant’s heart, and a servant’s role in my life is an important first step in grounding my thoughts, words, and deeds in the Way of the Lord.

“How blessed are the poor in spirit!

for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”

Mattiyahu 5:3 CJB

Grace and Shalom this week. Shalom to your home. Bless your being. The reign of the Lord is now. Be a blessing to the Lord and others.

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoGodsNoMasters #NoKingButChrist #EmbraceTheWithin #NotMyWayYHWH

Embrace the Within no. 108

'The people that walked in darkenes haue seene a great light: they that dwelled in the land of the shadowe of death, vpon them hath the light shined. '

Isaiah 9:2 GNV

Recently I have seen quite a few folks sharing a post about how life altering this past year has been for them and how they are going to cry really hard on New Year’s Day. The post is below.

“i’m gone cry real hard on new years because this was a very life changing year for me. i was literally hurting all year and i wanted to give up so many times and didn’t. things happened to me that shouldn’t have. i’m so ready for a new year & new blessings . 2023 is my year ”

These folks are setting themselves up for failure in 2023 because they are focused on themselves for blessings and not the Lord. You can literally see the me-centered language of the world. The post is all about what I did and not about what God did.

There is a darkness throughout the land BUT there is also a great light out there to show folks the way. And the way is not through the self. The self leads to the way of the world which leads to sin and death. For the grace of God, I was once down that road myself BUT He rescued me from all that.

Instead of crying real hard on New Year’s Day, let’s cry really hard today and accept Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives. The moment I let God take control of my life is the first New Day of a New Year and a New Life. And the great thing about that opportunity to follow the Lord is that it can happen any time, any day, any moment. I just have to give Him control.

Our lives are full of hurt and pain. We can all have thoughts about giving up. We can all feel that what happens to us is unfair. We can blame everyone for life’s obstacles. Or we can trust in the Lord to see us through and truly bless our lives.

The great things about thoughts that appear in my mind is the ability to select what thoughts I allow to reside and what thoughts I choose to vanquish. A lot of that has to do with the mindset of my life. It is easy to get into a victim mindset about the way the world is. It is easy to see this relationship as negative. It is easy to blame the world and even God for where we are today.

'For ye were once darkenesse, but are nowe light in the Lord: walke as children of light, (For the fruit of the Spirit is in al goodnes, and righteousnes, and trueth) And haue no fellowship with ye vnfruitfull works of darknes, but euen reproue them rather. Approuing that which is pleasing to the Lord. '

Ephesians 5:8-11 GNV

BUT, I know that God offers light in the darkness. He offers me blessing and grace. He offers me abundance and joy. He offers the fruits of the Spirit. He offers a chance to live a life with Him in glory eternally.

All I have to do is stop focusing on me and my situation. I need to turn control over to God.

Grace and Shalom this week. Shalom to your home. Bless your being. The reign of the Lord is now. Be a blessing to the Lord and others.

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoGodsNoMasters #NoKingButChrist #EmbraceTheWithin #NotMyWayYHWH