Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
Matthew 12; Luke 6
Saturday: Matthew 5; Luke 7
Sunday: Matthew 8; John 4
Luke 6:20-26
20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
The key to the beatitudes is verse 24 in understanding the temporary nature of both blessings and trials on earth. Those who are rich often avoid the trials of poverty, they often experience accolades rather than reproach, and they enjoy the amenities of life rather than the struggles.
It does not matter whether a person is rich or poor, gifted or simple, embraced or rejected. What does matter is whether we are faithful to God in the roles and responsibilities we have been given. Being burdened here on earth will only last for our time on earth, and compared to eternity, that is very short. Being blessed beyond measure, enjoying the extravagance of life on earth will only be short lived as well. What must be the focus of our life is not what we have or do not have here on earth, but rather the responsibility that God has given us to faithfully glorify Him in the situations of life.
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to keep my eyes on the prize of the reward for faithful service.
- Lord, please help me to remember the things of earth should grow strangely dim.
- Lord, please help me to be sympathetic to the poor, hungry, burdened, or persecuted.
Political
- Representative Jason Wentworth
- Representative Mary Whiteford
- Representative Karen Whitsett