Some people make a house a home, a place of comfort. Some show love in deep, selfless ways. Some see the beauty in you instead of your flaws. Some cheer for you and pray for you. Some are there for you even when you are at your worst moments. Some will come to your side whenever invited. They help you, care for you, give you a soft place to land. Love is a beautiful thing. So many Mom's out there embody this. Love like this is what makes the world a kinder place.
@TheeeMissMolly@CuriosityonX I have a hummingbird that likes to play in my hair with it's beak and the birds fly around me while I fill their feeder. 🤷♀️
Blessed are the Persecuted
It’s not always easy to stand for what’s right—especially when someone makes fun of you, gossips about you, lies about you, or even abuses you because of your decision.
But when sharing the eighth of the beatitudes—a series of promises Jesus made about God’s Kingdom—Jesus offered some hope:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:10 NIV
Leading up to this verse, Jesus had spoken unexpected blessings over an unlikely group: the poor in spirit, those who were mourning, the meek, those craving righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers. Finally, He offered a blessing to the persecuted.
Jesus elaborated:
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 5:11-12 NIV
Now, we won’t be blessed for facing the consequences of our own terrible decisions. But Jesus is saying that you will be rewarded when you are shamed, canceled, or even physically persecuted because of Him.
Jesus knows what it’s like to suffer for the sake of righteousness.
You will be blessed for standing up for what is right, for trusting in God’s Word, and for defending those who cannot defend themselves. And when it gets hard, remember: you’re not alone.
The prophets before us were mocked, beaten, and even killed. Jesus’ disciples—the ones hearing these words—would also suffer and die because of their beliefs. They were persecuted for doing things differently: for loving their neighbors, following God's laws, and for declaring Jesus as Lord.
So no matter what it costs you, you will be blessed for standing up for what is right. Jesus says that yours is the kingdom of heaven.
*from Husband’s Bible study
I cannot begin to explain how perfectly timed this lesson is for me.
I’ve allowed personal challenges in my life direct my attitude in dealing with ugly situations on this platform. Including those attacking my faith.
I needed to be reminded that if someone is attacking me for my love for Jesus and/or defending His teachings or standing up for vulnerable people, I’m doing it right.
Romans 8:26-27
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
@mymomcare Multiple generations in my family. Many different wars. Some were in D Day. Look up the Bedford Boys. They were some of the first in the meat grinder.
The invasion at Normandy was a slaughter.
These young men were taking rounds to the head in the landing craft, but still hit the beach in spite of the deadly, incessant machine gun fire.
This was some of the most fierce combat any soldier has ever experienced.
Having been in armed combat, I can't imagine how they mustered the courage to run into a figurative meat grinder, as machine gun fire cut through their bodies.
God Bless their souls.
Our debt to them can never be repaid.
We own them the highest level of honor.
May they rest in peace.