Blog - Do Not Depart

One Day Left! “Enjoy the Word” Online Bible Conference

May 1, 2018 by Lisa Burgess 1 Comment

One day left before it all begins!

The 2018 Enjoy the Word online Bible conference is almost here. It officially starts Wednesday, May 2, through Friday, May 4 (with a bonus day May 5).

But don’t worry if you can’t watch it all live. You get ALL the content to keep yourself. Watch anytime.

6 Keynote Sessions taught by Chris & Katie Orr through the book of Jonah
21 BreakOut Sessions on a variety of relevant topics
Private Facebook Group with the speakers and fun giveaways

Here are a few peeks at what you’ll discover at the conference.

Finding the Love of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation
by Elyse Fitzpatrick

Do you ever wonder how the Old Testament and the New Testament connect? Do you struggle viewing both parts of the Bible as one cohesive part of God’s Story of redemption? In this important session, Elyse takes a look at the entirety of Scripture and examines how we can see Jesus’s love throughout.

How to Build the Habit of Regular Bible Study
by Kat Lee

Building a Bible Study Habit walks you through the basics of habit building and breaks down the process into simple steps. You don’t need willpower, self-discipline or determination to build this life-changing habit – it’s so much easier than it seems. Join Kat Lee as she shows you how to get started today.

Memorizing Scripture with Purpose: Your Journey from Head to Heart
by Lisa Burgess

I am going to share tons of tips and resources on how to better memorize Bible verses, not only to make it easier, but to make it stick. We want our memory verses to make a difference in our hearts, not just in our heads.

Helping Your Kids Enjoy the Word: From Bible Stories to Bible Study
by Heather MacFadyen

As believing parents we desire for our children to follow Jesus, to be “Spiritual Champions” (a term used in the book “Revolutionary Parenting” by George Barna). This session will cover how to facilitate an environment to foster that love. Heather will share resources to use as your child grows and develops.

And SO much more, including:

A study through Jonah by Chris & Katie Orr
Our Keynote speakers this year are going to be teaching through 6 keynote sessions on the book of Jonah. Chris and Katie are excited to teach through this book of the Old Testament that we rarely study in depth.
How to Discover God’s Calling for Your Life
by Laura Krokos
How to Control Your Emotions So They Don’t Control You
by Brooke McGlothlin
Wield Your Sword: Praying Scripture in Everyday Life
by Erin Warren
How to Apply the Word to Our Lives (Even at Walmart)
by Lara Williams
How to Worship through the Word
by Angie Elkins
Marriage, Sex and Mission: How Biblical Sexuality Is Good News for Everyone
by Francie Winslow
Lopsided Living: What the Bible REALLY Says about Balance
by Teri Lynne Underwood

See all the sessions with all the details here.

How Do You See God? – Matthew 5:8-9 {Scripture Memory Challenge}

April 30, 2018 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

This week we memorize Matthew 5:8-9. What does it mean to “see God”? Let’s find out by doing it.

Memorize this week

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:8-9 (ESV)

How Do You See God?

The rewards of a pure heart? To see God.

But what does it mean to see God?

Who is the most important person you have seen in real life? From ancient Biblical times to today, it is a great honor to be called into the presence of an important person and see them face to face.

While we may not see God with our physical eyes, we are called into His presence. One key to seeing Him is to maintain an awareness of His presence.

As believers of God, we are never alone. He is always with us. How often do we remember that?

When our hearts are purely focused on Him, we can see Him in ways that are deeper than physical.

When we open our spiritual eyes to see God, we are in awe of His magnificence and His mercy and His goodness.

Let’s not turn our face away from God this week, but instead turn fully towards Him.

Notice His grace in your own life and pass along that grace to others so they, too, can “see” God through you.

Beautiful Beatitudes – Series Wrap Up

April 27, 2018 by Ali Shaw Leave a Comment

We hope you’ve enjoyed spending time in The Beatitudes with us this month! Focusing on the blessings that come with believing is a true gift. Remember, The Beatitudes are for each of us. Like I mentioned in the introduction to the series:

“Each beatitude lists a simple promise of blessing and the following result for those who have chosen to answer His call of invitation to enter into His Kingdom. …the more we know of Him, the more blessed we’ll be!”

We looked at several beatitudes this month.

Series Wrap Up

Jaime expounds on the blessing of peace and how true peace comes from belonging to God. God’s peace flows from His character and defines His kingdom and His children! I’m so thankful for the peace that passes all understanding! It’s an incredible blessing offered to us all!

— How can our mourning be blessed? Lisa tells us in her post. I love these lines: “Christ lives in us so Hope lives with us. In our mourning, regardless of its source—whether it’s from a tragedy unfolding in front of us or from a sin we can’t beat down or from someone else’s poor decisions—Hope won’t abandon us.”

— Alyssa looks intently at how hungering for the righteousness of God is a blessing. She reminds us that the way to find righteousness is not through works or deeds, but through Christ! She says, “Those who hunger and thirst for righteous will be satisfied. And the way to seek righteousness is to seek Jesus in faith.”

— What exactly is mercy? Why should we (and how can we) show it? I examine these questions in my post regarding Jesus’ words, “Blessed are the merciful.” As Christians, it’s our duty is to follow in Jesus’ steps and imitate and reflect His nature to those around us. When we obey God’s call to live like His Son, He extends blessings to us.

— Patti reminds us that the pure in heart are blessed indeed! She tells us, “It is only through Jesus that you and I can be cleansed in our innermost being. All our hope is in Him! …When Jesus dwells within us, we see His transforming power, and His beautiful life-giving work. He blesses us by allowing us to participate in that work! Cleansed hearts are hearts that are able to truly love.”

Want to Study More?

If you’d like to study the Beatitudes further, consider these resources:

The Beatitudes by A.W. Pink – This book is very old, but still relevant today. A.W. Pink explains that The Beatitudes shouldn’t be viewed individually, but rather as a whole and as a progression in the life of a maturing Believer.

Heirs of the King: Living the Beatitudes by Warren Wiersbe – Of this book, Amazon says, “This inspiring study of the Beatitudes shows how to reign over ego, power, and appetite. With the help of the Holy Spirit, the believer can live like a king.”

The Beatitudes by Charles H. Spurgeon – Another old book by a trusted author. Spurgeon tells us book that explores The Beatitudes and looks at the ways God blesses us when we come as we are.

Guest Post

Do you know what a “Zacchaeus Moment” is? Kelly R. Baker explains in her guest post. Kelly is a gifted writer and we were excited to have her join us this month. And friends, I don’t think I’ll look at the story of Zacchaeus quite the same way after reading her perspective!

She says, “Do you need a customized moment with Jesus? If you’re desperate for Him, you will pursue plan B like a squirrel looking for the last nut on earth. Sometimes your plan B will be an unconventional one. What figurative tree do you need to climb so you can see Jesus without obstruction?” (Click to read more.)

Again, thanks for joining us for our beatitudes series. What beatitude resonates most with you and why? Share in the comments or in our Facebook community group!

Ali

#BeautifulBeatitudes: Series Wrap Up on the blog. Promises of blessings for all Believers!

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Blessed Are the Pure in Heart for They Shall See God

April 26, 2018 by Patti Brown 1 Comment

Every morning, before I get up, there is one thing I must do. No matter how early or late, no matter what else I have decided to do that morning, I absolutely must put my glasses on. Without them my bedroom is a blur of soft colors, and my path is treacherous. Seeing clearly is essential to my day.

Today’s Beatitude is Matthew 5:8:

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. — Matthew 5:8

My glasses are the only way I will be able to see the path out of my room. And having a pure heart is the only way to see God.

What Is a Pure Heart?

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. — Psalm 24:3-4

A pure heart is a heart that can stand before God. We might say a pure heart is about holiness.

Purity of heart consists in that steady direction of the soul toward the divine life which excludes every other object from the homage of the heart. — John Peter Lange

When our hearts are inclined toward anything other than God, we are double-minded. But how difficult it is to be single-mined in our devotion to God! That is because we are all sinners:

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” — 1 John 1:8

How Can I Purify My Heart?

If we are all sinners, how can it be possible to be pure at heart? Proverbs 20:9 asks, “Who can say, ‘I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin’?” The answer, of course, is no one! We can not purify our own hearts. David cried out to God:

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. — Psalm 51:10

It is only through Jesus that you and I can be cleansed in our innermost being. All our hope is in Him!

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. — 1 John 3:2-3

My glasses correct my broken eyes so that I can see the world around me clearly, and Jesus corrects my broken heart so that I may see the Father.

The “pure in heart” exhibit a single-minded devotion to God that stems from the internal cleansing created by following Jesus. Holiness is a prerequisite for entering God’s presence. — Craig Blomberg

Results of a Pure Heart

What is the result of a pure heart? Matthew 5:8 tells us that those with pure hearts will see God!

We won’t visibly see God on this side of heaven, but when Jesus dwells within us, we see His transforming power, and His beautiful life-giving work. He blesses us by allowing us to participate in that work! Cleansed hearts are hearts that are able to truly love:

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart — 1 Peter 1:22

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. — 1 Timothy 1:5

And the great joy of our hearts, the eternal happiness we look forward to, is seeing the Lord God face to face:

No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. — Revelation 22:3-4

Blessed indeed are we who serve the Almighty God!
Our hearts are mended and our hope secure!

For further study:
Blessed Are the Pure in Heart, for They Shall See God by RC Sproul
Blessed Are the Pure in Heart by John Piper
Pure in Heart by Billy Graham
Blessed Are the Pure in Heart, for They Shall See God excerpts from Gregory of Nyssa and Augustine
What does it mean to be pure in heart?
What does it really mean for believers to see God?

The Beatitudes on DoNotDepart:
Read more of our series on the Beatitudes
Join us in memorizing the Beatitudes

Blessed are the pure in heart. #BeautifulBeatitudes

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Jesus cleanses our hearts so that we may see God face to face. #BeautifulBeatitudes

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Jesus Has a Customized “Zacchaeus Moment” for You

April 25, 2018 by Guest Post 11 Comments

(We’re thrilled to have Kelly R. Baker guest posting for us today on DoNotDepart. Kelly and I write together for HelloMornings. I love her heart for the Lord and her insight. …Praying her words about the Zacchaeus Moment will bless you like they have me! — Ali)

When Jesus is passing by, He stops and steps into the lives of those who are looking for Him. He did this with a Jewish tax collector named Zacchaeus. I call it a “Zacchaeus moment.”

In this post, I’m sharing portions of his story and some incredible truths about how you can have a Zacchaeus moment, too.

Jesus Has a Customized "Zacchaeus Moment" for You! Read more at the Christian Women's ministry, DoNotDepart.com

How a Zacchaeus Moment Begins

He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. Luke 19:1-4 ESV

Zacchaeus wanted to “see who Jesus was” (verse 3). That reveals his heart. He didn’t want to take anyone else’s description of Jesus as passing conversation. No, he wanted to see Him with his own two eyes, so he was seeking Him out.

Being height challenged he climbed a tree to see over the crowd. I admire that about him. He had a problem and rose to the challenge (pun intended).

Isn’t that how it is sometimes? I know I can come to Jesus at any time; I know He’s near. But there’s often a hindrance—a crowd, an obligation, a commitment—that will either take or need my attention.

It was an unusual practice for a tax collector to climb a tree. The thing is, Zacchaeus needed a personal touch. He needed to be where he could see Jesus without interference.

Do you need a customized moment with Jesus? If you’re desperate for Him, you will pursue plan B like a squirrel looking for the last nut on earth. Sometimes your plan B will be an unconventional one. What figurative tree do you need to climb so you can see Jesus without obstruction?

Do you need a customized moment with Jesus? What figurative tree do you need to climb so you can see Jesus without obstruction? @liveyielded #ZacchaeusMoment

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My Zacchaeus Moment

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. Luke 19:5-6 ESV

Even when you spend time with Jesus, you can’t always linger when it’s time to move on to other responsibilities. That’s the case whether you need a special touch from Him or not. If you’re a mom, you know what happens. Kids will need a mama’s assistance at times when it can’t wait.

That happened to me recently. My heart needed Him to come and soothe heartache, renew my strength, give me a fresh perspective on a dreaded day ahead. But I couldn’t stop the clock.

As I went about my business, I tossed whispered pleas to Him. I just needed to make it through a few more hours before I could get a space of solitude to deal with my heart.

But just like Zacchaeus, Jesus looked right over that crowd and met me where I was. He reminded me of truth, and it brought the encouragement I needed.

Your Zacchaeus Moment

Jesus didn’t make small talk with Zacchaeus but gave him an invitation. Added to that was the command to hurry. Why did Jesus tell him to rush? While pondering this question, I thought of my “Zacchaeus moment.”

If I had stayed in my current mindset, I would have continued to sit in dread of the day. And how would that affect the people around me? I wouldn’t be emanating His abundant life. Perhaps Jesus didn’t want Zacchaeus to dwell in his current state but hurry and come out of it.

Jesus invited him to fellowship in closer quarters. Zacchaeus’ “received Him joyfully,” which allowed Jesus full access.

When people come into your home, they get a revealing picture of the way you live. Your likes and dislikes. Your pristine or pigsty house. A greater intimacy occurs.

Jesus knows you through and through. He sees your heart whether it’s clean or contemptible. But its condition never stops Him from loving and pursuing you.

Jesus sees your heart whether it’s clean or contemptible. But its condition never stops Him from loving and pursuing you. @liveyielded #ZacchaeusMoment

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What a Zacchaeus Moment Brings

And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:7-10 ESV

The people observing this moment called Zacchaeus a sinner. I find it interesting that his name means “pure.” Your past doesn’t disqualify you from receiving salvation.

The crowd’s opinion of you isn’t significant. Jesus doesn’t give that any attention, and neither should you. He brought salvation to Zacchaeus’ house regardless of his reputation.

In this exchange, Zacchaeus shared his heart with Jesus. And Jesus responded with precisely what Zacchaeus needed: salvation. He brought Zacchaeus from a sinner into continual fellowship with Him.

And He does the same with you because He desires unbroken fellowship with you. Yes, friend, Jesus has a “Zacchaeus moment” planned for you. All you need to do is receive Him.

Kelly R. Baker is a Bible study teacher, writer, and mentor. She serves with her husband in leading the worship ministry at their church. You will probably find her sneaking a bite (or more) of organic dark chocolate in between wrangling her four kids. Her greatest passion is helping women thrive in Christ. Connect with her at www.kellyrbaker.com , Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

It’s Not Wrong to Be Hungry – Matthew 5:6-7 {Scripture Memory Challenge}

April 23, 2018 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

What are you hungry for? Find satisfaction in showing mercy. Memorize Matthew 5:6-7 with us this week.

Memorize this week

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Matthew 5:6-7 (ESV)

Are You Hungry?

It’s not wrong to be hungry.

Hunger is often what prompts us to take action. The aroma of bacon in the kitchen can lure me out of bed in the morning. Desiring a good dinner can make me stop working so I can switch gears to food preparation.

Jesus blessed His disciples on the mountain who were hungry. Hungry for righteousness. For equity. For fairness. (As well as hungry for food!)

Seeing and experiencing the inequities of the world can prompt us to take action, too. When we see unfairness, we’re lured to step in. When we want to right the wrongs we’ve done, we switch gears to God’s plans.

Making wrong things right brings satisfaction.

We don’t do it on our own. God ultimately makes it happen. But He wants us to work with Him on it. He wants us to crave it, to recognize our need for it.

Together, we find the blessing.

As we memorize Matthew 5:6-7 this week, stay alert to your own desires for decency and truth and goodness. Live honorably. Do right. Be merciful.

You will be blessed. Jesus says so.

What are you hungry for? Find satisfaction in mercy. #HideHisWord

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Early Bird Tickets Extended – Enjoy the Word Online Bible Conference

April 21, 2018 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

If you’re excited, too, about the upcoming Enjoy the Word Online Bible Conference, we have good news. Early bird tickets have been extended a few more days.

The conference fits right into our Do Not Depart goals: it’s all about seeking God with Bible study and using resources for connecting with God on a deeper level.

The conference will be live May 2-4, but it will be yours to watch anytime thereafter.

Between now and Tuesday, April 24, you can still save $10 off a ticket. With the $49.95 early bird ticket, you get full access to the entire conference, 6 keynote sessions teaching through the book of Jonah, and 21 breakout sessions.

The conference also includes a private Facebook group, which will include a pajama kick off party the night before the conference starts, fun giveaways, and live Facebook videos with the speakers throughout the live conference.

Register here for the 2018 Enjoy the Word Online Bible Conference!

QUICK FACTS:

Conference is LIVE: May 2-4 (with a bonus day on the 5th)
Early Bird Tickets End: Tuesday April 24th
Price: $49.95 early bird ticket. Will go up to $59.95
6 Keynote Sessions taught by Chris & Katie Orr through the book of Jonah
21 BreakOut Sessions taught by some amazing ladies (and one by Chris!)

Blessed are the Merciful

April 19, 2018 by Ali Shaw Leave a Comment

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” – Matthew 5:7

As a child, I sometimes played the game of “mercy” with my older brother. We locked hands and each of us tried to bend the other’s hands and fingers backward. When one of us was in more pain than we could stomach, a simple word would stop the game.

My brother was older and stronger, so I usually lost. When I did, I cried out, “Mercy!” and the game was over.

It’s actually a foolish and childish game, but because of it, I understood the concept of mercy even at a young age.

What is mercy?

Jesus shows us what mercy does and doesn’t look like in the parable found in Matthew 18:21-35. In the story, a rich master forgives his servant of his debts when the servant pleads for mercy. Yet, that very same servant is not merciful toward his fellow servant when he confronts him about the debt he owed to him:

“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ Matthew 18:32-33

Although the master had the power to punish his servant, he initially showed him kindness. This is mercy.

When we hold back from giving someone their “due” or when we reach out in kindness, aid, and love to one who is in a vulnerable position, we are showing mercy.

Jesus, the Merciful Savior

In Matthew 5:7, Jesus said that the merciful will receive mercy. As Believers, we know how merciful Jesus was to us! Though the wages of our sin is death (Romans 6:23), He does not give us what we are owed, but instead gives His children eternal life (John 3:16).

But God’s mercy doesn’t stop on the cross. He is merciful with us every moment of every day. Every blessing we receive is because of His goodness, His love, and His mercy.

Albert Barnes, in his notes on the Bible, says of Matthew 5:7:

“Nowhere do we imitate God more than in showing mercy. In nothing does God delight more than in the exercise of mercy.”

Yes, as Christians (little Christs) our duty is to follow in Jesus’ steps and imitate and reflect His nature to those around us. When we obey God’s call to live like His Son, He extends blessings to us.

When we obey the call of mercy, He shows us new mercies… every day!

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:21-23

If you’d like to study more about mercy, or extend mercy to others, check out these resources:

Matthew, The Book of Mercy [a Bible study] by Megan McKenna
Author Megan McKenna believes that the Gospel writers all focused on a topic that they felt was prominent. Matthew focuses on mercy, possibly because Jesus showed great mercy in calling a him, Jewish tax collector, to follow His call! Jesus extends that same mercy to us.

The Mercy Prayer, by Robert Gelinas
God always answers the prayer for mercy. This book’s intention is to show the reader that mercy is at the core of God’s nature and gives practical ways that we can show mercy and Christ’s love to others.

Samaritan’s Purse
If you’re looking for practical ways to show mercy now, consider donating to Samaritan’s Purse and alleviating the hurts of people in the world around us.

How has the Lord shown you mercy lately? Who can you show mercy to today?

Ali

Blessed are the Merciful. What is mercy and how can we imitate our Merciful Savior? #BeautifulBeatitudes

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Beautiful Beatitudes: Are You Hungry for Righteousness?

April 17, 2018 by Alyssa Howard 1 Comment

This month we are taking a closer look at the Beatitudes from Matthew 5, and today’s post focuses on righteousness and what it really means to hunger for it.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. – Matthew 5:6 (ESV)

Defining Righteousness…

According to dictionary.com, a righteous person is “characterized by uprightness or morality.” But is this how the Bible defines the word?

The Pharisees certainly believed so. They devoted their entire lives to being men of moral integrity. They followed every rule (even their own made up rules) and made sure everyone knew about it. In their minds, they were the very definition of righteousness. Yet, this was not enough.

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 5:20 (ESV)

Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:20 undoubtedly stung when the Pharisees heard them. But even more so, I’m sure there were many in the crowd thinking to themselves, “How on earth could I be MORE righteous than a Pharisee?”

This is why your definition of what it means to be righteous is so important. A wrong definition could lead you to a life of empty religious works rather than a life of surrender and works that stems from an obedient heart.

Righteousness by faith alone…

Apart from Christ, it is impossible to be righteous. Period. No matter how hard you work, you will never be righteous on your own. Instead, the Bible says that we are declared righteous (or justified) by our faith.

Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 5:1 (HCSB, emphasis added)

…For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith. – Philippians 3:8-9 (ESV, emphasis added)

Righteousness is all about the heart. If your focus lies in doing “righteous” deeds, you’ll find yourself in the same situation as the Pharisees. You’ll be clean on the outside and dirty on the inside. But if you allow God to transform your heart by faith, you will be declared righteous by God. Good deeds will then flow from a heart that longs to please God rather than glorify self.

Righteous deeds flow from a righteous heart…

When speaking of Abraham, Paul wrote the following:

No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. – Romans 4:20-25 (ESV)

Abraham was not unlike you and me. He struggled with doubt when God first gave him the promise of becoming the father of many nations. But his faith grew, and God kept His promise. It was his faith in God that made him righteous. Yes, Abraham obeyed God. But even his obedience stemmed from his faith, not his desire for righteousness.

So what does this all have to do with this beatitude? Well in a word… everything.

Those who hunger and thirst for righteous will be satisfied. And the way to seek righteousness is to seek Jesus in faith.

The truth is that righteous is not something you can work for or earn, rather it is given to you by God. And when we come to Him in faith, hungry and thirsty for Him… it is then that we will be declared righteous.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

A Flipped View of Strength – Matthew 5:4-5 {Scripture Memory Challenge}

April 16, 2018 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

This week we memorize the second and third beatitudes in Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount.

Memorize this week

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:4-5 (ESV)

Mourning

In Matthew 5:4-5, Jesus flips our traditional views of strength. Culture then and now may depict strength as the strong, silent type who shows no emotion, but the ones who mourn are the blessed ones.

We discussed “How Is Your Mourning Blessed?” here last week.

Read the verses before and after the following verses for extra context on how God wants to bless those who mourn.

Isaiah 61:1
Luke 4:18
Matthew 11:5

Meekness

Who are the meek (v5)? We can count Moses as meek (Numbers 12:3). And of course Jesus is the ultimate example of meekness (Matthew 11:29).

Meekness is not weakness. Robertson’s Word Pictures explains meekness as “the gentleness of strength.” It takes a strong person to not be easily provoked to anger, to treat all people with kindness, and to not envy the gifts of others. Meekness is a valuable virtue.

Count your blessings this week in the odd places of mourning and through meekness. In Christ’s kingdom, all good things are possible.

How does Jesus flip your view of strength? Memorize Matthew 5:4-5 this week. #HideHisWord

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Please share your thoughts here.

Read all the blog posts here on memorizing Matthew 5:1-19.