Blessings and Woes

Blessings and Woes

(Luke 6:20-26)  "Looking at his disciples, he said:  'Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.  Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.  Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.  Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.   Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.  But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.  Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.  Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.  Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.' "

     Why is it so hard for people who have things in this world to get to heaven?  The answer is quite simple.  They don't need the Lord.  What motivates them to have a SAVIOR?  People tend to pray a lot when things aren't going well.  Once things pan out again, they forget all about the Lord...They figured it out and fixed it.  They have to learn to depend on God.  Matthew 25 is a good verse to consider.  Luke 12:48 says, "...For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more."  Am I good and faithful steward with what I've been given?

     

     How do I pray?  The Lord's Prayer is the ultimate example of how a prayer should look.  Praise the Lord for who He is.  Pray for His will to be done.  Thank Him for what he has done, and pray for what you need.  Forgive others and ask for God's forgiveness for yourself.  Attribute to God all that is His and give him the glory.  If praying consists only of asking God for things, it's not much of a relationship.  Friendships that only go one way usually don't blossom.  It's give and take in any relationship.  What does my prayer life look like?  Do I talk to God about any and every little thing?  Do I praise Him and thank Him for all He does and all He is every day throughout the day?  Is HE my best friend?

     What does my need for him look like and how does it play out in my life?  Do I have a roof over my head?  Do I have a full tummy every night as I go to sleep?  Are there clean clothes on my back each day?  Do I get truly persecuted for worshiping God?  Do I want for anything?  The answer is plain and simple: No.  While I am thankful for these things and count them as beautiful blessings, I know that they also tend to be hindrances to my walk with the Lord.  So often I don't rely and lean on Him as I should.  

     Every thing I have has come from the Lord.  He gives and He takes away.  I can not boast in anything for it is not mine.  “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

"Father God, You are to be praised!  You have blessed me beyond what I could ever need.  I thank you.  Help me to remember that all I have is yours.  Keep my eyes and heart open and willing to use these things in whatever way you would ask me to.  Help me to be thankful always.  I want you as my best friend.  Help my daily walk and time with you to show that.  I love you Lord.