Verse of the Day 1/6

Verse of the Day 1/6

Matthew 5:6-7

New International Version

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

    for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.

If you are reading through the New Testament in a year you may be in Matthew chapter 5 where we go for today's verses.  They are in the middle of the Beatitudes.  Being righteous has to do with being in right standing before God. Part of that right standing is staying in communication with Him which involves reading, studying and praying over His Word and applying it in our lives.

One of my favorite Christian authors and pastors of the last century was A. W. Tozer regarding this "hunger", he writes:

A dead body feels no hunger and the dead soul knows not the pangs of holy desire. "If you want God," said the old saint, "you have already found Him." Our desire for fuller life is proof that some life must be there already....In nature everything moves in the direction of its hungers. In the spiritual world it is not otherwise. We gravitate toward our inward longing, provided of course that those longings are strong enough to move us. Impotent dreaming will not do. The religious urge that is not followed by a corresponding act of the will in the direction of that urge is a waste of emotion. The Size of the Soul, 17-18. 

Have you felt the urge to follow God more closely this year? Don't waste that urge, follow through on it. Develop that closer walk and apply the principals found in the Beatitudes.

1. I am weak, but Thou art strong;
   Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
   I'll be satisfied as long
   As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
   • Refrain:
     Just a closer walk with Thee,
     Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
     Daily walking close to Thee,
     Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
2. Through this world of toil and snares,
   If I falter, Lord, who cares?
   Who with me my burden shares?
   None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
3. When my feeble life is o'er,
   Time for me will be no more;
   Guide me gently, safely o'er
   To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Matthew 5:3-12

New International Version

3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.