The Beatitudes ... Christian Character

Matt.5:2-12

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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.

Christian character is what you are. Your reputation is what others think about you, but character is what God knows about you. The beatitudes don't say, "Blessed is what you have," or "Blessed is what you do," but instead they tell us, "Blessed is what you are."

All of us are going to die, and some sooner than we think. When you die, you'll leave behind all that you have and all that you have done and you'll take with you all that you are. Isn't that right?

You see, it's character that is most important. That's the reason it's more important that you seek blessedness than happiness.

Most of the people in the world are doing what? They are seeking happiness. They want to be happy. You seek happiness and you'll never find it. But you get right with God and blessedness will find you. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

True Joy and Peace Come from the Lord Alone

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.” Is.26:3

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
You may admit that God is necessary, but do you honestly know that God is enough and that He is, in fact, more than enough? To find out if God is enough for you, let me ask you a couple of questions. Where do you obtain your joy? Is it from the Lord or from somewhere else? If your joy is from your health and it goes, then your joy will fly out the window. Many a believer has lost his health, his business, his family, his reputation, but has still maintained his joy because the source of genuine contentment and peace is in God. Indeed, one may not know that God is enough until God is all one has.

ACTION POINT:
When was the last time you visited a hospital waiting room and shared Christ with those who are hurting? Maybe you could do that sometime this weekend.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Just Keep Praying

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
There’s an old song with the refrain “Just keep on praying ‘til light breaks through.” When you don’t feel like praying, that’s when you need to. You need to pray until you do feel like praying. You see, you’re not praying by yourself. The Spirit is praying through you and for you, helping to present your petitions to the Father — petitions that perhaps you yourself are not even capable of expressing. Do not approach God with your hands full of the brass of your emotions. Rather, approach Him with hands and heart full of the sweet incense of His worth. Just keep praying.

ACTION POINT:
How’s your prayer life? Do you say grace before meals and squeeze in a quick prayer before you drop off to sleep each night? Take some time today to talk to the Lord.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

It Is Not Ours to Ask "Why?"

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all them that trust in Him.” 2 Sam.22:31

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
When bewilderment enshrouds you and despair looms at your door, when trials storm the beaches of your life, you may want to ask God, “Why? Why? Why?” Friend, you may never understand why things are happening the way they are in your life, but that’s not your job. You see, it is not necessary for you to know why. That is God’s question. Your response is all that matters. When we can’t feel His hand, we must trust His heart. Our job is to simply trust and obey.

ACTION POINT:
Is there something happening in your life for which you have no explanation, but long for answers? Ask God to give you peace and grace to trust Him.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Heartfelt Soul Winning Brings a Bountiful Harvest

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Ps.126:6
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Do you know what you’re doing in the morning when you have a quiet time? Weeding your garden. You’re weeding the garden of your mind, so that the good seed of the Word of God can multiply. Now, the next step is to plant the seed and cultivate His harvest. And when you go out to win souls, water the crop with your tears. Read how the Lord’s heart broke over the people He longed to embrace and love unto Himself (see John 17). Learn this same sort of compassion in the garden God has given you to harvest for His kingdom.

ACTION POINT:
Ask God to put you into His fields of service today. Ask Him to make you bold, yet compassionate and wise to share His Good News.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Never Alone

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”John 14:18
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The late Dr. Paul Tournier, great Christian psychiatrist from Switzerland, wrote that loneliness is the most devastating malady of this age.

What is loneliness? Many confuse it with being alone. But you can be alone and not lonely. Your loneliness does not have to overwhelm you. After all is said and done, truly your only solace is found in Jesus. Why? He understands. John 1:10-11 tells us that the world neither received Him, nor knew Him. In many respects He lived a life of loneliness. “But I need somebody real.” Jesus is real. He is closer to you than anyone else can be or ever will be. What a friend we have in Jesus! We will never be separated from Him!

ACTION POINT:
Are you lonely? Chances are someone you know is, too. Why don’t you give someone a call right now and invite them to do something.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Release from the Ghosts of Guilt

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 1:21
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Guilt dogs the footsteps of mankind. It gnaws. It growls. It eats away at the joy God intends for us. Is there no peace from guilt? Will the ghosts of our guilt always lurk nearby? Not with the convicting work of the Holy Spirit and the healing power of our Lord in us! The devil is the prosecuting attorney who is going to point his bony finger of accusation at you. But the Holy Spirit is not the accuser. He is the Convictor. In love, He convicts to lead us to confession. Then we can confidently come to God and ask for cleansing. No psychologist or psychiatrist can take away guilt. Only Christ Jesus can.

ACTION POINT:
Read the story of the adulterous woman in John 8:1-11. Praise God for His lovingkindness and generous mercy! 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers