you are blessed when you show mercy

“Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous--with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!” (Matthew 5:7, Amplified Bible)

I like to read the Amplified version of the Bible. It shows me more exactly what the original thoughts were of the speaker/writer were, according to the language the words were written in. Because of this, I am made aware that the word “blessed” has a different meaning than I originally thought… It speaks of the blessing to be a blessing simply because it is originates in God…not from us and what we want. It also speaks of being happy/satisfied with what God has for me regardless of my outward conditions. Hmmm…really different than what I have also thought….

So, this blessing comes when I show mercy to others…when I give others what I would like them to give me…The dictionary says that mercy is:

“clemency: leniency and compassion shown toward offenders …a disposition to be kind and forgiving”

This is hard for me. Not so much if I am with the offender, and we talk about it and work through it, and continue to live through it…but if I am ignored and left alone…it is hard for me to forgive. This is a particular problem that God has been working with me for several years, now. It is very hard for me, but I know that God has a very special blessing for me every time I give him people and situations that cut me to the bone, believing and trusting him to take it and make something beautiful for his glory.

Lord, help me show mercy… even when it is hard for me. Work in my life…break my heart…mold it in your image…

g

precious

Last weekend my family came over to help with our home renovation project. (Note: it takes a lot longer to renovate than it takes those people on HGTV).

My family is precious to me. One way they make themselves precious is through the things they do for me and for others.

None of them really had the energy or the time to give a day in our behalf, but they did. It was time to be together and do something constructive (no pun intended). It gave me a fresh outlook on our project, and it gave me a “shot in the arm.”

Yes, my family is precious to me. My life has been enriched by each one of them. Thank you, family.

g

happy birthday, memaw and pawpaw

...thank you for being precious to me, and to many others.

I love you,
g

you are blessed when you are hungry and thirsty

10-3-0-10

When my soul is hungry and thirsty, I continue to go to the place of sustenance. I crave it. I long for it. This is the human experience…longing, wanting, and craving. We are born with it and we die with it.

Jesus wants me to have that hunger for him. He wants to fill me and sustain me. He wants to feed me. He wants to be everything to me.

Sad to say, I have spent a lifetime of looking for food and drink for my soul in all the wrong places….people, church, jobs, family, and (yes)… even through real food…you name it…I’ve gone there looking for it.

But here, Jesus is saying to me that when I go to him with my unquenchable hunger and thirst, he will fill me…in fact, in other places in the Bible, it is promised that I will be filled to overflowing. That speaks of extravagance…of having much more than I need. Who doesn’t want to be there?

Revelation is becoming one of my favorite books of the the Bible (who would have thought it)…These words of promise are spoken in the last chapter:

Is anyone thirsty? Come!
All who will, come and drink.
Drink freely of the Water of Life!

My hunger and thirst become a blessing, because they drive my straight into the arms of Jesus.

g

PS I am so tired today. Lord, please help me. I need all that you have for me. Fill me to overflowing.