Saturday, October 8, 2011
Rejoicing in Persecution Matthew 5: 11-12
We journeyed to the prison again in September. Roseann Smith gave an exceptional devotion on persecution. Many of the prisoners related to her message. They cntributed examples they remembered from the Bible. Roseann talked a lot about King David and his life and what he went through before becoming king of Israel. The Bible is full of examples of people who went through tremendous trials in obedience to God. Also God disciplined his servants when they were not trusting him. There was Abraham, Job, Joseph, the three Hebrew children in the firey furnace, Daniel, and many others. Also, in the New Testament the list included Paul, Peter, John and all the disciples mentioned. Of course the primary example is Jesus Christ and what He endured for us on the Cross. He never committed a sin and yet was tortured and crucified for our sins. The scripture reading from Matthew in the New International Version reads as follows: "Blessed are you when people insult you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Thank you, Roseann for an anoited lesson for all of us.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Called in our Weakness (Matthew 5:10)
At our meeting for August, Minister Cheryl Pumphrey spoke a timely message on persecution by using examples from Peter and Paul. The scripture references are: Acts 9:1-20, Psalms 30, Rev. 5:11-14 and John 21:1-19. The thoughts that spoke to my heart were the statement about Peter falling on his knees and saying to Jesus, "Go away. I am a sinful man". I am sure I have felt like saying this many times but God is so merciful that He looks beyond my faults and sees my need. As Peter met Jesus after His resurrection over a charcoal fire, He remembered another charcoal fire where he denied Jesus three times. Jesus called him back three times at this charcoal fire telling Peter to "feed my sheep". He did not call Peter or Paul because they were pure but because of who HE is! WE are to proclaim the good news of God. We can't boast of our success but only boast of our weakness and the strength of Jesus Christ. God used Peter the Denier and Paul the Persecutor and He can use you and me. Thank you Cheryl for such a thougtht provoking message.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
More on the Beatitudes
We have been to the prison every month since March when I posted last time but I have failed to post these lessons individually. We will go back in August and I plan to start each month again. In the meantime, I will summarize the last few months. In April, we discussed Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled." Cheryl Pumphrey discussed this verse and made me want so much more of God in my life. In May there was a discussion of Matthew 5:7 by Renee Nichols. "Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy." I definitely need mercy in my life so I want to be sure I show mercy to the people I meet. Cheryl taught in June about Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." I was challenged to examine my motives in what I do to make sure I have a pure heart. Jacque Phillips talked about Matthew 5: 9 in July. "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God." What a previledge to be called a "son" or "daughter" of God. I so much want to be a peacemaker and never stir up strife.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek(happy are the meek)
The Amplified Bible really gives a good explanation of this verse. "Blessed , happy, blithesome, joyous, spiritually prosperous (that is with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the meek(the mild, patient, long suffering) for they shall inherit the earth.
Meekness is different from being broken or poor in spirit, though the Greek root word is the same. Brokenness of spirit is negative in that it focuses on man's sinfulness and results in mourning. Meekness is positive in that it focuses on God's holiness and man's response to that holiness. They are two sides of the same idea. We are to be poor in spirit because we are sinners and meek because God is so holy in comparison to us.
Meekness produces a hunger for righteousness. Psalm 22:26 tells us that everlasting life belongs to the meek- not the proud. Psalm 25:9 says that "The meek will He guide in justice; and the meek will He teach His way. God identifies with the meek. Christ said that His kingdom would be occupied by people characterized by meekness.
What is meekness? The Greek word translated"meek" in Matthew 5:5 comes from the root word praos, which means "mild", "gentle" and "soft". A meek person is gentle, tenderhearted, patient and submissive. The Greeks used the word to describe a soothing medicine, a gentle breeze or a domesticated colt.
In 2 Corinthians 10:1 Paul speaks of "the meekness and gentleness of Christ". Meekness is a by-product of humbling one's self before God. It is the taming of a lion-not the killing of it.
In Ephesians 4:26 "Be angry and sin not." The only legitimate form of anger is righteous anger. That means anger must be under control and expressed for the right reasons at the right time. We are never to be angry because of personal offenses. True meekness is power under control. Medicine taken in the propler dosage can be helpful, but an overdose may kill; a domesticated horse is useful but an undomesticated one is destructive. A gentle breeze cools and soothes, but a hurrican kills.
First Peter 2:21-22 says "Hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us and example, that ye should follow his steps; who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth." Christ never did anything wrong. All the accusations against Him in the trials prior to His crucifixion were false. He was punished, abused, and mocked without justification. Verse 23 says, "When he was reviled, He reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously." Jesus never defended himself but when his Father's Temple was descrated, he twice made a whip and beat those who had fefiled it (John 2:13-16 Matt. 21:12-13) He comdemned the hypocritical religious leaders of Israel and fearlessly proclaimed divene judgment to unrepentant sinners, yet the Bible says that He was meek. Meekness is not impotence but power under control.
These thoughts were taken from a devotion given by Jacque Phillips at the prison this month.
Meekness is different from being broken or poor in spirit, though the Greek root word is the same. Brokenness of spirit is negative in that it focuses on man's sinfulness and results in mourning. Meekness is positive in that it focuses on God's holiness and man's response to that holiness. They are two sides of the same idea. We are to be poor in spirit because we are sinners and meek because God is so holy in comparison to us.
Meekness produces a hunger for righteousness. Psalm 22:26 tells us that everlasting life belongs to the meek- not the proud. Psalm 25:9 says that "The meek will He guide in justice; and the meek will He teach His way. God identifies with the meek. Christ said that His kingdom would be occupied by people characterized by meekness.
What is meekness? The Greek word translated"meek" in Matthew 5:5 comes from the root word praos, which means "mild", "gentle" and "soft". A meek person is gentle, tenderhearted, patient and submissive. The Greeks used the word to describe a soothing medicine, a gentle breeze or a domesticated colt.
In 2 Corinthians 10:1 Paul speaks of "the meekness and gentleness of Christ". Meekness is a by-product of humbling one's self before God. It is the taming of a lion-not the killing of it.
In Ephesians 4:26 "Be angry and sin not." The only legitimate form of anger is righteous anger. That means anger must be under control and expressed for the right reasons at the right time. We are never to be angry because of personal offenses. True meekness is power under control. Medicine taken in the propler dosage can be helpful, but an overdose may kill; a domesticated horse is useful but an undomesticated one is destructive. A gentle breeze cools and soothes, but a hurrican kills.
First Peter 2:21-22 says "Hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us and example, that ye should follow his steps; who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth." Christ never did anything wrong. All the accusations against Him in the trials prior to His crucifixion were false. He was punished, abused, and mocked without justification. Verse 23 says, "When he was reviled, He reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously." Jesus never defended himself but when his Father's Temple was descrated, he twice made a whip and beat those who had fefiled it (John 2:13-16 Matt. 21:12-13) He comdemned the hypocritical religious leaders of Israel and fearlessly proclaimed divene judgment to unrepentant sinners, yet the Bible says that He was meek. Meekness is not impotence but power under control.
These thoughts were taken from a devotion given by Jacque Phillips at the prison this month.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Jesus will comfort you in anything you need Him to comfort in (Matthew 5:4)
Webster's Dictionary says mourn is to feel or express grief or sorrow, to show cutomary signs of grief for a death, to murmur mournfully-used expressions of doves. Those who shared the sense of loss joined with the family for this period of time openly and emotionally expressing their feelings, often with wailing.
In the prophets, the image of such grieving is linked with God's coming judgments, as the nation itself would die befor the promised rebirth would occur (see references to "mourn" in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel) In the Gospels, the word is often found linked with Jewish funeral mourning customs(Matthew 11:17, 24:30)
"We played wedding songs and you didn't dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn't mourn." Mt. 24:30 says"and then at last , the sign that the son of man is coming will appear in the heaven and there will be deep mourning among all the people of the earth. And they will see the son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with poser and great glory.
Luke 8:52 says the house was filled with people weeping and wailing but he said "Stop the weeping. She isn't dead; she's only aslelep. Luke 23:27 says that a large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women.
Mouning is used similarly in Revelation 1:7, 18, 19: Revelation 1:7 "Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven and everyone will see him even those who pierced him. and all the nations of the world will mourn for him, yes. Amen! Rev. 18:9 says "and the kings of the world who committed adultery with her and enjoyed her and enjoyed her great luxury will mourn for her as they see the smoke riding from her charred remains." In fact, in only two of the eight meanings for mourning in the New Testament if not directly associated with deep grief and bothe of them relate to Jesus' tiumphal entry(Mt 21:8, Mk 11:8) Mt. 21:8 says that "Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of them on the road and others cut branches from trees and spread them on the road. Mark 11: 8 says" Many in the crowd spead their garments on the road ahead of him and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the field. It is indeed good to reflect on the changes that Jesus' more perfect vision of our future brings. Because we know that when Jesus returns we will arise to join him, we do not "grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope 1 Thess. 4 13. Show them great respect and whole hearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. The word means "to feel deep emotional or physical pain." And we look forward to eternity when "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" Rev. 21:4.
Most notalble is the use of the word in the beatitudes. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Mt. 5: 4. It is best to understand his phrase in the contexxt of Jesus' purpose in The Beatitude, where he contrasted the values of His kingdom and those of the world. The world considers blessed, not those who mourn, but the one who finds happiness in temporary experiences. It is the one who is dissatisfied and pained by what the world has to offer who will find the comfort that is offered by a living relationship with God. Our God can comfort us in anything we need comfort in. Because God is all knowing, just, unchangeable, gracious, holy, merciful, longsuffering. Our God is perfect. God is our creator and he is love. He is Redeemer. He is shepherd. He is savior, Lord and Father. He is judge. He is comforter. He is teacher; He is I AM. Our God is the mighty one. God is our shield. Our stronghold. Our light. Our strength, our sustainer. Our rescuer.. Our fortress. Adore Him. Respect Him. Honor Him. Love Him. Exalt Him. While you have time on the earth, use the rest of your life getting ready to worship our awesome God forever! He will comfort you. May God keep you and bless you. this is my prayer.
This devotion was written and presented by Minister Cheryl M. Pumphrey to incarcerated ladies in a powerful and passionate manner. Thank you, Cheryl, for your obedience to a higher calling.
In the prophets, the image of such grieving is linked with God's coming judgments, as the nation itself would die befor the promised rebirth would occur (see references to "mourn" in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel) In the Gospels, the word is often found linked with Jewish funeral mourning customs(Matthew 11:17, 24:30)
"We played wedding songs and you didn't dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn't mourn." Mt. 24:30 says"and then at last , the sign that the son of man is coming will appear in the heaven and there will be deep mourning among all the people of the earth. And they will see the son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with poser and great glory.
Luke 8:52 says the house was filled with people weeping and wailing but he said "Stop the weeping. She isn't dead; she's only aslelep. Luke 23:27 says that a large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women.
Mouning is used similarly in Revelation 1:7, 18, 19: Revelation 1:7 "Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven and everyone will see him even those who pierced him. and all the nations of the world will mourn for him, yes. Amen! Rev. 18:9 says "and the kings of the world who committed adultery with her and enjoyed her and enjoyed her great luxury will mourn for her as they see the smoke riding from her charred remains." In fact, in only two of the eight meanings for mourning in the New Testament if not directly associated with deep grief and bothe of them relate to Jesus' tiumphal entry(Mt 21:8, Mk 11:8) Mt. 21:8 says that "Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of them on the road and others cut branches from trees and spread them on the road. Mark 11: 8 says" Many in the crowd spead their garments on the road ahead of him and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the field. It is indeed good to reflect on the changes that Jesus' more perfect vision of our future brings. Because we know that when Jesus returns we will arise to join him, we do not "grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope 1 Thess. 4 13. Show them great respect and whole hearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. The word means "to feel deep emotional or physical pain." And we look forward to eternity when "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" Rev. 21:4.
Most notalble is the use of the word in the beatitudes. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Mt. 5: 4. It is best to understand his phrase in the contexxt of Jesus' purpose in The Beatitude, where he contrasted the values of His kingdom and those of the world. The world considers blessed, not those who mourn, but the one who finds happiness in temporary experiences. It is the one who is dissatisfied and pained by what the world has to offer who will find the comfort that is offered by a living relationship with God. Our God can comfort us in anything we need comfort in. Because God is all knowing, just, unchangeable, gracious, holy, merciful, longsuffering. Our God is perfect. God is our creator and he is love. He is Redeemer. He is shepherd. He is savior, Lord and Father. He is judge. He is comforter. He is teacher; He is I AM. Our God is the mighty one. God is our shield. Our stronghold. Our light. Our strength, our sustainer. Our rescuer.. Our fortress. Adore Him. Respect Him. Honor Him. Love Him. Exalt Him. While you have time on the earth, use the rest of your life getting ready to worship our awesome God forever! He will comfort you. May God keep you and bless you. this is my prayer.
This devotion was written and presented by Minister Cheryl M. Pumphrey to incarcerated ladies in a powerful and passionate manner. Thank you, Cheryl, for your obedience to a higher calling.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Additional comments on first lesson
Matthew 5:3 talks about the poor in spirit inheriting the kingdom of God. Exactly what is that? Matthew 24:34-36 We will be blessed by God, the Father and enter into His inheritance. I know we could have another study on this subject also. At the prison we did mention this scripture briefly and talked about it. It is a definite "Praise the Lord!"
Monday, January 10, 2011
Beatitudes
We will be studying the Beatitudes this year at the prison. If you don't think of yourself as a prisoner, think again. How many times have you imprisoned your own spirit with doubt, fear, worry, hatred, guilt and shame? As I develop this blog, I plan to post the next time including our first lesson which will be "Blessed are the poor in spirit.(Matthew chapter 5.) Just what does this mean? I hope to shed some light on this subject. Thanks for your attention.
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