Verse of the Day 5/26

Through the Bible - 2 Kings 13-14, Matthew 14:1-21

 

Good morning,

I am sure that all of us know and may ourselves admit to being "people pleasers", doing things to be noticed in hope that it will improve your standing with an influential person.  You can see it in the workplace, in politics, and yes, even in the church.  The motivating force is that it will be noticed, not that it is just the right thing to do.

 

Recently, in a small group exercise about the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, the study guide referenced Clarence Jordan's comments on the verses.  He writes that "the Beatitudes are not blessings pronounced on different kinds of people - the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, and so on.  Rather, they are stages in the experience of only one class of people - the "poor in spirit" who are entering the kingdom and growing as children of God who bear the divine likeness as makers of peace among people."

 

These beatitudes aren't things that can be done to please God, but the person that embodies them, "walks the walk" does please him.

 

I was reading in Micah 6 this morning where we'll go for today's verse.  The heading of the passage is "What does the Lord require?", the passage shows us that its not about trying to please God with things we do, but about pleasing God in how we live, how we walk, not thinking about being seen or noticed by others, by God.  But God does see, and it pleases Him, does that make sense?

 

Mic 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good;
and  what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to  walk humbly with your God?   ESV

May we live today not trying to be "people pleasers" or even "God pleasers" trying to be noticed, but to do good, to be just, show kindness and mercy no matter if no one notices while not thinking highly of ourselves.   May we be among the "poor in spirit" and walk humbly with our God today.

 

But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don't take yourself too seriously —
take God seriously. Micah 6:8  The Message

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
Mic 6:6-9

 

How can I stand up before God
and show proper respect to the high God?
Should I bring an armload of offerings
topped off with yearling calves?
Would God be impressed with thousands of rams,
with buckets and barrels of olive oil?
Would he be moved if I sacrificed my firstborn child,
my precious baby, to cancel my sin?

 

 

 

But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don't take yourself too seriously —
take God seriously.

 

Attention! God calls out to the city!
If you know what's good for you, you'll listen.
So listen, all of you!
This is serious business.   The Message