We have now entered the season of Lent. For many Christians, Lent is taken as a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter where God miraculously redeemed mankind by resurrecting His Son from the dead. It is also a time to consider what Jesus said and did; and how we should be living in light of His Words. ✞ ♥
During this season, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have chosen to focus our devotionals on Jesus’ instructions and admonition communicated in Matthew chapter 5—the Beatitudes. Jesus said, “Blessed are…” and He went on to give instruction as to how to be “blessed.” To be ‘blessed’ is to ‘be happy, or to be envied.’ Truly for the Christian, we ARE blessed—oh, how very blessed we are! Those who observe our lives should clearly be able to tell that we ARE blessed—and that we KNOW it! ✞ ♥
Please consider Jesus’ instructions along with us. We pray that our words will encourage you and spur you on to be prepare your hearts for the joyous celebration of His Resurrection! ✞ ♥
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5
* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥~ *
You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
Matthew 5:5
Humility…this is one of those words church people say alot, but sometimes don’t understand. I can see why when there are verses like Philippians 2:3 in the Bible.
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit,
but with humility of mind
regard one another as more important than yourselves.
Humility is definitely something I struggled with at first and I’m still learning how to live this out. The Message Translation (in Matthew 5:5) explains it as being “content with who you are—no more, no less.” According to Philippians 2:8, Jesus was an example of humility when He “…humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death to the cross!”
I like to think of humility as accepting myself just the way I am this very minute; and understanding that, although I may not be perfect, I am loved and adored by the Most High…and if God can love me, then I can love me. Humility to me is looking at another person, whether they be a murderer, thief, or liar (all of which are sins), and understanding that I am no better than they are. They sin and I sin…and a sin is a sin. Paul makes this concept simple in Romans 3:23 and 24:
For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
and are justified FREELY by His grace
through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
When we see others who sin, our thoughts shouldn’t consist of “Oh, at least I don’t do that,” and we shouldn’t think of one sin as worse than another. Instead we should be concerned with whether they have heard the gospel and if they know the awesome Savior, Jesus Christ. And if they do? Great! And so we should…
Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Hebrews 10:24
Don’t be so harsh with your brothers and sisters in Christ. None of us are perfect, and although we may (or may not) strive to be perfect ambassadors for Christ, we all make mistakes. One of my favorite verses (Proverbs 24:16) is, “For a righteous man falls seven times, and he rises again….”
A perfect example of humility is shown in Luke 7:36-50. This passage tells the story of Jesus being anointed by a sinful woman. This woman knew who she was. She knew who she needed, as well. She could have looked at herself and felt that she was unworthy or “too” immoral/sinful; but she humbled herself and approached Jesus. The Pharisees, of course, looked down on this woman and criticized Jesus for allowing her to touch Him.
Jesus is willing to accept all…all can humbly approach His throne.
Thank You, Lord for loving me. I am so thankful that I can do nothing to make You love me more or less—I am loved! It’s just that simple. Help me to remember not to complicate the love You give me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
