The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 28:25-26 (AMP)
25 He who is of a greedy spirit stirs up strife, but he who puts his trust in the Lord shall be enriched and blessed. 26 He who leans on, trusts in, and is confident of his own mind and heart is a [self-confident] fool, but he who walks in skillful and godly Wisdom shall be delivered.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 111:10 (ESV)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
The Word of God for encouragement:
Matthew 5:11-12 (ESV)
11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
My observation:
Today we conclude our mediation on the beatitudes. The choice word is persecution. Jesus had more to say about this beatitude than any of the others.
Jesus identified the motive of the persecutors. When you live for God, and when you speak for God, the enemies of God will persecute you, revile you, and speak all kinds of evil against you falsely.
Jesus said when you suffer such wrongs for the sake of righteousness; you are in good company because they did the same to the prophets who preceded you. Then Jesus said something that only the Son of God could say, He said they will do it on my account.
John 15:21 (ESV)
But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
Now comes the hard part, the response to the persecution. To respond in this fashion is possible only when it is by the power of God working in you, and through you.
Matthew 5:12 (ESV)
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
My prayer:
Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful that the children of God enter the kingdom through the new birth that is provided by the work of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Father, I thank you that we enjoy the blessings of the kingdom by living for those things that please our heavenly Father.
Father God, I pray for an attitude and a life that will reflect the character that Jesus taught in the beatitudes so that I can live rejoicing, glad, happy, and blessed every day. And when my journey on earth is finished, the greatest blessing of all will be to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3 (ESV)
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:10 (ESV)
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
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