Thursday Devo

Read Luke 6:17-26.  Wow - what an orientation speech! I remember my first day a bible college. It was much more "positive" than - "blessed are you who weep... when men hate you"! Jesus just calls his disciples to begin their training but doesn't waste much time getting to the point. They are now apart of a kingdom that is not of this world. The world offers riches of many kinds but following Jesus offers the richness of God that flows from relationship to the creator. In reality everything this world has to offer is a counterfeit. Following Jesus may not have the luster of what this world offers but it does have the substance that leads to a full abundant life.

This passage makes sense in light of what we see in society. The rich are not happy. Celebrities get addicted and go crazy. Those who have chased "happiness" end up miserable. Those who chase God end up happy. I John 2:15 "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does -comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."

questions

1) read this again slowly - which verse sticks out to you the most and why?

2) who is someone you know who has made life all about "being happy" - how are they doing?

3) what do you find yourself chasing at times other than God?

prayer

Read the beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12.

Pray through each one asking God to help you develope that attitude more.

For example

v. 3 "Lord where have I not been poor of spirit" (humble)... - wait and listen

confess the areas that come to mind - repent and ask God to fill you with humility.

v. 4 "Lord where have I not been sorry for my sin"

v. 5 "Lord where have I not been meek" (gentle)