Embrace the Within no. 114

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

Matthew 5:5 AMP

There is a lot to be said about being kind-hearted in this time of contempt and division. And this need for self-control in how we say what needs to be said is even more important when what needs to be said is a matter of eternal life or death. Being sweet-spirited rather than blunt and pointed can make all the difference as to whether the message of Christ is accepted from us. And in a day where folks are not meek or humble but rather the opposite, there is no better way to show the image of God than to be opposite of the normal.

“What blessing comes to you when gentleness [Or “meekness.” Jesus is saying that when you claim nothing as yours, everything will be given to you. The Aramaic word, makeekheh, implies being both gentle and flexible.] lives in you! For you will inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:5 TPT

I tend to get caught up in this idea of ownership. A lot of that stems from the world in which I live. There is a lot of philosophy and conversation about ownership and the rights that go along with ownership on earth. BUT I own nothing. I don’t even own my own life. And I think the more Christians take ownership of their absolute dependence on God, the better we can humbly show our reverence to God. And, in turn, this dependence is a witness to the heathens openly arguing over what and whom they own.

Blessed are the meeke: for they shall inherite the earth.

Matthew 5:5 GNV

There are blessings that go along with humility and meekness. One great blessing is not being responsible for everything that happens. If I am utterly dependent on God, then He is the one that makes the decisions. He is the one that decides how things are going to work out. And He is the one in control. I am merely here to serve out that work. Following His orders is much easier than trying to make up a way to get through the day. It, however, is not without thought because knowing God’s orders involve study, conversation, and action.

“Blessed (Favored by God; happy; prosperous) are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”.

Matthew 5:5 NMV

God wants me to do what He says. I want to do what I think is good. And that is the central struggle played out in the Bible and throughout each of our lives. Am I going to do what He has made right or am I going to use my limited understanding to take His job? Am I going to presume to know better than God?

“How blessed are the meek!

for they will inherit the Land!

Mattityahu 5:5 CJB

There is a peace and calm that comes from knowing that the Lord is in control. And that peace and calm is something the world needs so much of today. It only takes a matter of seconds in conversation or in scrolling social media to see how much torment and struggle fills the days of most folks. BUT if we can live God’s peace and work at modeling that calm, then we can truly change the world.

I love you. I forgive you. Have a blessed and abundant day!

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

Embrace the Within no. 111

“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].”

Matthew 5:4 AMP

Wait for and confidently expect the Lord;

Be strong and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord.

Psalms 27:14 AMP

I should feel bad about not following God. I should feel bad about the life I left behind in order to become a new creation. I should not want to go back into that corpse. All too often though, I want to go back to death. Going back to that comfortability and routine that doesn’t take a lot of work is an easy out. BUT I need to be strong and take courage with confident expectation in what God has for me. I will find true comfort in the life that comes from turning away from the path to death and toward the Way of the Lord.

“What delight comes to you when you wait upon the Lord! For you will find what you long for.”

Matthew 5:4 TPT

'Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up ; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting— for he will never disappoint you !'

Psalms 27:14 TPT

God promises that if I trust in Him, if I wait in obedience to what He wants, I will find what I want. That means I need to be patient because my timeline is not God’s timeline. My ways are not His Ways. He only calls me to be obedient. He calls me to do things His Way and not my way. And He promises no disappointment because He is a God that keeps His word.

'Blessed are they that mourne: for they shall be comforted. '

Matthew 5:4 GNV

Hope in the Lord: be strong, and he shall comfort thine heart, and trust in the Lord.

Psalms 27:14 GNV

I am sad BUT that gives God the opportunity to bring me comfort. There are a lot of things in this life I cannot control. And I have to get over that false sense of external control that I want to impose on my surroundings and even on God at times. I need to stop trying to trust in my own will and rest in His Will.

So often we want to take control and we want to wrestle with God when we should be letting Him run the show because He already does. We just need to acknowledge that and trust in Him.

“Blessed (Favored by God; happy; prosperous) are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted”.

Matthew 5:4 NMV

Wait on the Lord-Yehōvah [Messiah Pre-Incarnate]: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen youri heart: wait, I say, on the Lord-Yehōvah [Messiah Pre-Incarnate].

Psalms 27:14 NMV

Life will have its sad parts because it is finite. Things end and change inevitably comes. And I am not always going to be prepared for the changes that happen. BUT if I put my faith in Him, then He will provide the strength that I need and that which I do not have on my own.

“How blessed are those who mourn!

for they will be comforted.”

Mattiyahu 5:4 CJB

Put your hope in Adonai, be strong,

and let your heart take courage!

Yes, put your hope in Adonai!

Tehillim 27:14 CJB

I have to make the decision that God is in control and not me. And that takes a lot for someone that wants to be in control. That can take a lot for those of us that have a mind and a will to do and accomplish things. BUT God gave me that mind and will and He is not going to let those gifts be wasted. He just wants to show me a better way to use them. And I have to let Him in charge to see those gifts mature in His Will. God saw David through many obstacles and many trials. God guided David through many wins and many losses. God rewards faithfulness. And that is what Psalms 27 is all about:

Fearless Faith

David’s poetic praise to God before he was anointed king

Yahweh is my revelation-light

and the source of my salvation.

I fear no one!

I’ll never turn back and run, for you, Yahweh,

surround and protect me.

When evil ones come to destroy me,

they will be the ones who turn back.

My heart will not fear even if an army rises to attack.

I will not be shaken, even if war is imminent.

Here’s the one thing I crave from Yahweh,

the one thing I seek above all else:

I want to live with him every moment in his house,

beholding the marvelous beauty of Yahweh,

filled with awe, delighting in his glory and grace.

I want to contemplate in his temple.

In the day of trouble, he will treasure me in his shelter,

under the cover of his tent.

He will lift me high upon a rock,

out of reach from all my enemies who surround me.

Triumphant now, I’ll bring him my offerings of praise,

singing and shouting with ecstatic joy!

Yes, I will sing praises to Yahweh!

Hear my cry. Show me mercy, and send the help I need!

I heard your voice in my heart say, “Come, seek my face;”

my inner being responded,

“Yahweh, I’m seeking your face with all my heart.”

So don’t turn your face away from me.

You’re the God of my salvation;

how can you reject your servant in anger?

You’ve been my only hope,

so don’t forsake me now when I need you!

My father and mother abandoned me.

But you, Yahweh, took me in and made me yours.

Now teach me, Yahweh, all about your ways and tell me what to do.

Make it clear for me to understand,

for I am surrounded by waiting enemies.

Don’t let them defeat me, Lord.

You can’t let me fall into their clutches!

They keep accusing me of things I’ve never done,

breathing out violence against me.

Yet I believe with all my heart

that I will see again your goodness, Yahweh, in the land of life eternal!

Here’s what I’ve learned through it all:

Don’t give up; don’t be impatient;

be entwined as one with the Lord.

Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope.

Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you!

Psalms 27 TPT

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