Reflections on Blessed Are the Pure in Heart

Matt. 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness” (Psalm 17:15). To behold God’s face and to be changed by that vision into his image, so as to partake in his … Continue reading Reflections on Blessed Are the Pure in Heart

Reflections on “Blessed are the Merciful”

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." (Matthew 5:7) “Teach me to feel another's woe, To hide the fault I see, That mercy I to others show, That mercy show to me.” - Alexander Pope English poet (1688-1744) O Christian, know your condition - the misery and the mercy. And let the horror … Continue reading Reflections on “Blessed are the Merciful”

Confessing Our Sin… Experiencing His Grace

Gracious Father, to enrich us will not diminish your fullness for all your lovingkindness is in your Son. We come pleading His blood to pay for our debts of wrong. Accept his worthiness for our unworthiness; his sinlessness for our transgression; his purity for our uncleanness; his sincerity for our hypocrisy; his truth for our … Continue reading Confessing Our Sin… Experiencing His Grace

Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. This beatitude prompts a look at our heart’s desire. What hungers and desires operate within us? Which of them commands our utmost loyalty? - John W. Miller … Continue reading Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

Reflections on “Blessed are the meek!”

Christ was master of the paradox. His teaching is salted with shining contrasts like: Last is first, giving is receiving, dying is living, losing is finding, least is greatest, poor is rich, weakness is strength, serving is ruling. For Christ, paradoxes were an especially effective way of getting people to see essential spiritual truth – … Continue reading Reflections on “Blessed are the meek!”

Reflections on “Those Who Mourn”

“Blessed are those who mourn” is, paradoxically, a more necessary message than “Rejoice in the Lord always,” because there can be no true rejoicing until we have stopped running away from mourning. - Simon Tugwell, The Beatitudes The disciples bear the suffering laid on them only by the power of Him who bears all suffering … Continue reading Reflections on “Those Who Mourn”

Jesus Has Fully Paid It All

In the Scriptures, remembering that Jesus fully paid the ransom price for our liberation from sin motivates… The heavenly host to worship… All church leaders to discharge faithfully their ministry… And all believers to a lifestyle of personal purity. “Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit Who is in … Continue reading Jesus Has Fully Paid It All

Three Benefits of Taking the Lord’s Supper from John Calvin

Here, then, is the singular comfort that we derive from the Supper. It directs and leads us to the cross of Jesus Christ and to his resurrection, to certify us that whatever iniquity there may be in us, the Lord nevertheless recognizes and accepts us as righteous—whatever materials of death may be in us, he … Continue reading Three Benefits of Taking the Lord’s Supper from John Calvin

What Marriage Is

Marriage is not a federation of two sovereign states. It is a union – domestic, social, spiritual, physical. It is a fusion of two hearts – the union of two lives – The coming together of two tributaries, which, after being joined in marriage, will flow in the same channel, in the same direction… carrying … Continue reading What Marriage Is

God’s Cure for Shame – A Worship Reflection

W.H. Griffith-Thomas wrote a wonderful devotional commentary on Genesis. He sets forth God's Cure for Shame in the below: “Redemption is not only promised in Genesis 3, it is also pictured. Man attempted to cover his shame by the leaves of the fig tree, but this was far too slight a covering for so deep … Continue reading God’s Cure for Shame – A Worship Reflection