Weekly Scripture

<sup>Matthew 5:1-11.


1</sup>Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,²and he began to teach them saying: 
 ³"Blessed are the poor in spirit, 
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
 ⁴Blessed are those who mourn, 
      for they will be comforted. 
 ⁵Blessed are the meek, 
      for they will inherit the earth. 
 ⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 
      for they will be filled. 
 ⁷Blessed are the merciful, 
      for they will be shown mercy. 
 ⁸Blessed are the pure in heart, 
      for they will see God. 
 ⁹Blessed are the peacemakers, 
      for they will be called sons of God. 
 ¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, 
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 ¹¹"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹²Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

-matt

Safeguard

Ever have something that you don't want to let go of? answer: yes! Of course we do. Whether its a girlfriend/boyfriend, body image, a favorite video game, the internet, or a cell phone, we all have that something.

God says that it is better to take refuge in Him than anything else (Ps. 118:8,9.) For myself, it's easy to hear this and not practice it. I propose a fast. Why not try just for a day, two days, even a week, for giving up something you treasure for the ultimate treasure. Start small, limit your Facebook time to half an hour a day. Don't text after 9pm, etc.

It's not easy. But when life is easy, isn't that what we should fear? Jesus promised us trials and grace, not unlimited happiness. Rely on God and not technology, don't let your date control who you are before God.

Godbless,
-matt

Weekly Scripture

1 Chronicles 29:10-20
¹⁰ David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, 
       "Praise be to you, O LORD, 
       God of our father Israel, 
       from everlasting to everlasting.

 ¹¹ Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
       and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
       for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
       Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
       you are exalted as head over all.

 ¹² Wealth and honor come from you;
       you are the ruler of all things.
       In your hands are strength and power
       to exalt and give strength to all.

 ¹³ Now, our God, we give you thanks,
       and praise your glorious name.

 ¹⁴ "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. ¹⁵ We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. ¹⁶ O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. ¹⁷ I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. ¹⁸ O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. ¹⁹ And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided."

 ²⁰ Then David said to the whole assembly, "Praise the LORD your God." So they all praised the LORD, the God of their fathers; they bowed low and fell prostrate before the LORD and the king.