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 those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4
When you’re driving down the road, do you wonder about the people in the passing cars? What are their stories? Where are they headed?
When you leave the grocery store pushing your buggy, do you see all the people silently walking in the parking lot and wonder what their stories are? I do. I even wonder if they are in some kind of pain masked by doing routine tasks.
Immediately after September 11th 2001, people engaged in conversation more easily and were so willing to help each other—even perfect strangers. We didn’t even have to live where planes crashed into towers or the Pentagon to feel that we were all in this together. A tragic situation had occurred, and we were united together. We mourned the loss of so many lives. We hurt together as a nation. We easily reached out to each other. And now, almost thirteen years later, we quietly walk in different directions again. But shouldn’t we be thinking about engaging with others more than we do since none of us knows what each day holds? Tragedy could happen at any time.
When the World Trade Center towers fell that day and so many lives were lost in New York City and other lives were lost at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and still others in a barren field in Pennsylvania—all of those were enormous, sorrowful tragedies especially for the loved ones left behind. We were all saddened that each and every one of those lives ended that day, and our hearts hurt for those who loved them so much! But I hope you will understand when I say that a far greater tragedy than leaving this earth early or unexpectedly is leaving this earth without a Savior!
My heart is burdened for those who don’t know Jesus as their personal Savior. Life is hard at times…even when you DO know Him as Savior. (I can’t imagine life without Him!) But for those who come to death without having believed, received, and trusted Jesus as their Savior (having asked Jesus to forgive them of their sins and knowing He took their place in dying for their sins on the cross) before they take their last breath, they will enter into a horrific place called hell where they will be separated from God for eternity. (See Luke 16:19-31.) I wish that for no one!
To those who are saved, let us mourn and be broken-hearted for those who do not know Jesus! Let us pray for them! And let us engage in conversations with them as the Holy Spirit prompts and leads us.
On September 11th 2001, many kissed their loved ones good-bye that morning not aware they would never see them again. Perhaps it’s time to start having important and urgent conversations with the people we know and love. To decide to have a relationship with Jesus and to be forgiven of your sins is the most important decision one could ever make! (Please see Ephesians 2:1-10.)
Do you know where your family, friends, and others are headed?
If not, let’s pray that we all start talking about Jesus with them!
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Dear Lord, we praise and love YOU! Let our hearts be broken for those who don’t know You yet. Guide us in when and how you may call us to approach them and in what to say. Help us start talking. Let us use the power of Your Word and let us say it with love, as it will provide truth. Prepare the hearts of those who speak and of those who hear. In it all, You will lead us, love us, encourage us, wipe our tears – if need be, and comfort us. Thank You! In Jesus’ precious Name I pray, Amen.
