What Is Meekness?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. " Matthew 5:5

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

What does it mean to be meek? First, let me tell you what it is not before I tell you what it is.

Meekness is not weakness. The word “meek” means yielded. It literally has the idea of strength under control. When an animal, especially a horse, is domesticated, it is trained so a rider can sit on its back or so it can pull a plow. The proper term for this process is that the animal has been ”meeked.” It has been broken. Now it yields to the rider or the yoke. Now the animal exhibits strength under control. That’s what meekness is.

ACTION POINT:

Read Matthew 11:29 and 21:5. What does Jesus say about Himself and how can you emulate Him?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Poor in Spirit – What Does It Mean?

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt.5:3

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”? Jesus is talking about being a beggar. He is saying, “Blessed are the beggars.” He’s not talking about finances here. He’s talking about a person being poor spiritually.

Before a person can enter into the kingdom of heaven, he must first admit that no matter how much he may have in the material realm or psychological realm, he is absolutely and totally spiritually bankrupt and a beggar before God.  If he doesn’t see that, he will never, ever get into the kingdom of heaven.

ACTION POINT:
I’ve often said that I am just one beggar showing another beggar where to find food. Do you see yourself as a beggar in need of the Bread of Heaven?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Blessed Is the Man Who Trusts in the Lord

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.” Ps.34:8

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The Lord Jesus Christ gives us beatitudes—attitudes that ought to be. They are not platitudes. They are attitudes that deal with Christian character.

Your reputation is what others think about you, but character is what God knows about you.

The beatitudes do not say, “Blessed are what you have,” or “Blessed are what you do,” but “Blessed are what you are.” Most of the people in the world are doing what? They are seeking happiness. If you seek happiness you’ll never find it. But if you get right with God, blessedness will find you.

ACTION POINT:
Have you been finding your self-worth in what you have or what you do? Confess it before the Lord and meditate on the attitudes you ought to have in Matthew 5:3-11.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Letting Your Shepherd Set Your Pace

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.” Ps. 23:2

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Sometimes I hear folks tell young people, “Make all the money you can, just so you make it honestly.” That’s not good advice.

If you make all the money you can, you are going to be making money when you should be doing something else. You are going to be making money when you ought to be alone with God.

I’m not against making money. I’m simply saying that we need to stop and prioritize our lives. Do you know what I think God does with some of us? He makes us to lie down. We won’t do it unless He makes us.

ACTION POINT:

Why not stop right now and pray, “Lord Jesus, You don’t have to make me lie down. I’d rather slow down. I want to be still and know that You are GOD! Show me how.”

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Happiness, the Byproduct of Righteousness

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6

 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Happiness is something you stumble over on your way to serving Jesus.

 

When you are serving the Lord Jesus Christ, happiness is the byproduct of righteousness. People who are trying to be happy are focusing their energy at the wrong target. If you will seek after righteousness, then you will be happy.

 

What you need is to drink of the Spirit.

What you need is to feed on the Word of God.

The deepest need of your heart will be met only in Jesus.

 

ACTION POINT:

Ask the Lord to fill you with His presence, to fulfill the deepest need of your heart in Him and Him alone. Now trust Him to do it.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Praying in Secret

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:6

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

What did our Lord mean when He said, “Enter into your closet to pray?” The word “closet” simply means somewhere where you can shut the door on the world and open the windows to heaven.

As you study the life of Jesus, you’ll discover that Jesus sought times to be alone. Sometimes He would go on a mountain, sometimes into the wilderness, and sometimes into a garden. It is the secret place that is the sacred place. The mark of your prayer life is not really how well you pray in public, but in private.

ACTION POINT:

When you enter your closet to pray, spend some time in silence. Clear your mind. Then listen for His Words of edification, encouragement, and exhortation.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Biblical Hope, a Firm Certainty

BIBLE MEDITATION: “For Thou art my hope, O Lord God: Thou art my trust from my youth.” Ps.71:5 DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: What does the word “hope” mean in the Bible?  It doesn’t mean “maybe.” We may use it that way in modern English, but that’s not what the word “hope” means when used in Scripture.  “Hope” means certainty, but not just any certainty. When the Bible says “hope,” it means a rock-ribbed assurance with anticipation, based on the Word of God. When I was a little boy, my dad would take us out for a ride on Sunday afternoon. We kids would be in the back seat, getting into squabbles. If things got too heated, my dad would turn around and say, “When you boys get home, I’m going to whip you.” With my dad, I knew this was a rock-ribbed truth! We could anticipate it, but not with gladness! Our hope, however, our rock-ribbed assurance, comes with glad anticipation! ACTION POINT: Share the hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ with someone today. Maybe there’s someone at the hospital who needs a word of hope. Maybe it’s a member of your family! LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers