Christian Purpose Archives - Page 2 of 11

June 24, 2025June 7, 2025

Make God Smile

Make God smile. Your passion matters more than logic; God smiles when you rely on Him rather than the world.

I read about a homeless boy, Ricky White, who earned a Doctorate in Music. He played the tuba. Let that sink in. A Doctorate in Tuba is already an unusual story. But that’s not what made me pause. What gripped me wasn’t the degree or the instrument, but the passion behind it —a passion that refused to die. That’s the story worth telling.

Isaiah 64:8, “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

“I’d like to die fighting a good cause, something worthy.”

That quote stayed with me. It came from Dr. Richard Antoine White, born in 1974, now known as “R.A.W. Tuba.” He grew up in the streets of Baltimore, often sleeping in abandoned buildings and relying on hope and grace to survive. When asked about his greatest ambition, his answer was powerful:

“I’d like to die fighting a good cause, something worthy. When it comes, it comes, but I ain’t going to lie down easy.”

And could I add my own words?

“I want to make God smile.”

What’s your Great Ambition?

Have you stopped to ask yourself lately? Do you see yourself the way God sees you?
Are you aiming too low—or not at all? Do you let others, or worse, society, define your purpose?

You were made for more. In the last few years, the people God has brought into my life have challenged me deeply. They’ve shown me that the greatness God places in us isn’t theory or motivational fluff. It’s real, and it’s waiting.

Romans 11:29, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

There is greatness in you. It’s not a compliment, it’s a calling. The greatness I see in others burns like a white-hot flame, lighting everything around it. And your life, like mine, has led to this moment —a crossroads, an inflection point. From here, we can launch into the great unknown or spin into the dark abyss of banality.

I know which one God built me for, and I believe He built you for it too.

Just a Morning Thought…

I understand that many of you don’t realize how exceptional you are to God. We often live in the past. Believe me, I know that temptation all too well. But today, just for today, what if we felt the wind on our faces and took a step into the unknown? God is already there, and He’s smiling.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made.

Psalm 139:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Let’s be real. When Anthony White was homeless, did you think he had a 10-step plan? Do you think he said, “The way out is to take up the biggest, clunkiest instrument in the orchestra and make a life out of it”? Do you think his friends cheered him on with, “Dude, go for it! Sounds like a bulletproof plan!”?

Probably not.

Let’s be honest: The tuba is not the band’s superstar. It’s not the path to fame, fortune, or flashy headlines. God breathed on it, and it became his instrument, passion, and calling.

So, What About You?

Your passion may seem even more unlikely than Anthony’s. But God doesn’t make mistakes. He planted a seed in you, too—one meant to grow, flourish, and light up the world. The world may try to convince you that it’s not practical, profitable, or logical.

Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Ignore all that. If God created galaxies, mountain ranges, and microscopic wonders with breathtaking precision—why would He skimp when it came to you? Thrust me, He won’t, and He didn’t.

What Makes God Smile?

It’s not your achievements, your résumé, or people’s approval. It’s your obedience while pursuing the life He created you to live. He’s not surprised by your greatness—it was His idea in the first place. His joy comes when you trust Him enough to live it. To shut out the world’s noise, and to say yes to the impossible.

Jeremiah 9:23-24, “This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.”

So, I’ll ask again: What is your great ambition, and are you ready to make it a reality?

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank you for making me fearfully and wonderfully. Forgive me for doubting my worth or listening more to the world than you. Ignite in me a holy passion that cannot be extinguished. Give me courage to step into the unknown, to pursue the purpose You planted within me, and to make You smile with my obedience. May my life reflect Your design and bring glory to Your name. Amen.

June 17, 2025June 7, 2025

The Answer I Didn’t Expect

Answered Prayer The answer I didn’t expect was created because it wasn’t within my design.

I asked for Strength, God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for Wisdom; God gave me problems to solve.
I asked for Courage, God gave me difficulties to overcome.
I asked for Love, God gave me troubled people to help.

James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Missed Answers

When I first read this quote, it stopped me. Not because it was profound, which it is, but because it held a mirror to my own life. For years, I have prayed for strength, wisdom, courage, and love. But I didn’t always recognize the answers when they came. Sometimes, they appeared as an inconvenience; other times, as a hardship. And often, they showed up wearing the face of someone in need.

Proverbs 16:16, “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!”

“Faithful servants have a way of knowing answered prayer when they see it, and a way of not giving up when they don’t.” – Max Lucado.

It’s easy to assume that when we ask God for something good, the answer will be immediate and obvious—a clear path, a burst of energy, a wise insight at just the right time. But more often, God works through the long road. He doesn’t hand us strength like a tool; He gives us opportunities to become strong. And that usually means facing difficulty, struggle, and pain— the kind that tests our resolve and stretches our soul until we feel like snapping.

Psalm 56:3-4, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God, I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Answers Refined through Fire

I’ve worked among people who have very little by the world’s standards—materially, economically, and politically. And yet they are some of the wealthiest people I’ve known. Why? Because they live lives filled with difficulty that have taught them endurance, humility, and generosity. They don’t ask for an easy life. They ask for the grace to keep going. They don’t quote books, they live wisdom.

God’s answers are rarely what I imagined. When I asked for wisdom, I found myself in rooms where I didn’t understand the language or the culture, trying to solve problems I didn’t create. When I asked for courage, I was sent into uncertain territory, sometimes physically, often spiritually. And when I asked for love, I was given the chance to care for people whose needs and pain made me uncomfortable, people who challenged my assumptions, interrupted my plans, and needed more than I thought I could give.

1 John 4:7, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”

Answers Disguised as Burdens

In those moments, I’ve learned something important: God’s blessings often come disguised as burdens. And in serving others, especially the “troubled people” the quote mentions, I’ve discovered not only love but the very heart of God.

Mark 11:24, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

This quote isn’t a feel-good slogan; it’s a map, a pattern, a reminder that the life of faith isn’t about avoiding pain or staying comfortable—it’s about transformation. We are forged in the fire of difficulty, not destroyed by it. We grow through the problems we’re called to solve. We find courage not in the absence of fear, but in facing it with purpose. And we learn to love by pouring ourselves out for others, especially those the world has forgotten.

True Blessings

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed or underprepared, take heart. Perhaps you’re not failing; maybe you’re in the middle of an answered prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

June 3, 2025May 12, 2025

You Were Chosen to Bear Fruit That Lasts

You were chosen to bear fruit that lasts. Your existence is not temporal; it is eternal. Your actions are not of someone who passes through, but of someone who is sent.

John 15:16 says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit—and that your fruit should remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” — John Piper, Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist.

Let me tell you a story.

It was late fall. I remember because it was already dark as I stepped off the MARTA train and started walking toward my destination. The air had that unmistakable chill, not the clean, biting cold of the north, but the damp Georgia kind that creeps under your coat and settles in your bones.

I was late to meet a friend I hadn’t seen in a while. My head was down, shoulders hunched against the wind, when I caught the faint shape of a man standing across the courtyard. Just a shadow. But then, a voice inside me—quiet, yet impossible to ignore—said, “Stop.”

So I stopped.

The man wore a trench coat, but it looked more for appearance than warmth. He stood there, glancing left and right like he didn’t know what to do next. I thought, I’m late, and began to move on.

I Couldn’t Walk Away

Then came another whisper: “To the least of these…”

Matthew 25:40, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

It wasn’t a command. Not even a plea. Just a gentle reminder—truth spoken in stillness. That’s how God often speaks. He doesn’t shout. He doesn’t push. He invites.

For the first time, I honestly looked at the man. His face told the story his words never would. Pain, loss, and disappointment. His Eyes were far older than his age. I knew that if I engaged, I would step into his burden. And I also knew, once I saw him—really saw him—I couldn’t walk away.

So I asked quietly, “Can I help you?”

That’s all it took. A small gesture, but to him, it meant everything. I gave him what I had, and it was enough. He straightened his back, shook my hand, and nodded a quiet thanks. But his eyes—those eyes—spoke volumes: relief, surrender, maybe even hope.

As I turned to leave, something pulled at me again. I looked back and said, “You know, God loves you. That’s why I’m here right now.”

And he smiled. “Yes, sir, I truly know that.”

“Small acts, when done with great love, can change the world.” – Inspired by Mother Teresa,

You Were Chosen for Moments Like These

God is not only the Author of great missions and lifelong callings—what we sometimes call BHAGs (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals)—but also the quiet, divine interruptions. The ones that whisper instead of roar. The ones that change you, if you let them.

Isaiah 6:8, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”

Sometimes he plants a seed, tends it over time, and gently shapes us for something big. But other times, He says, “Look. Right there. That one.” And when we look, it takes our breath away.

Those moments are memorial stones. I keep them in my heart like reminders—evidence that God invited me into His plan, not because He needed me, but because He loves me.

He chose me. He chooses you. To bear fruit—lasting fruit.

Answer the call. Be the one who stops, who listens, who speaks life into the hurting. I can’t fully explain how it will change you, only that it will. Forever.

Be that Person.

Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

May 20, 2025May 19, 2025

I want to be an Avenging Angel.

Living Well is the best Revenge I do; I want to be an avenging angel, raining down brimstone and fire on all that is evil in the world; I want God to empower me to wreak havoc on all that is wrong. I want to be invincible and omni-powerful; I want to walk into the private enclaves of the rich and powerful and demand retribution. How cathartic would that be? How validating and hopeful would the world seem to me? Me, reigning over the unjust and the unworthy. But who would want to rain down brimstone on me?

“There are two great days in a person’s life – the day we are born, and the day we discover why.” – William Barclay

Romans 12:19, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”

God’s Intent

But that is not God’s intent. One of the hardest lessons for me to learn is that salvation, not retribution, makes the world livable. When people come to understand God’s love, they become the type of people we want in our world. It is not the elimination of evil but the conversion of evil that makes all that Christ has taught us work.

Proverbs 20:22, “Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and He will save you.”

That’s difficult for me. I want revenge; I want evil to suffer. Like Jonah, I don’t want the people of Nineveh’s salvation but their elimination. I want them punished because they have caused so much harm to others. It is hard for me to comprehend God’s compassion. Why does He want them in His kingdom after what they have done?

Proverbs 24:29, “Do not say, “Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.”

Wouldn’t that be great to travel the world visiting the despicable, the vicious, the depraved, the unscrupulous, the hateful, and the godless people to present them with their eternal separation from Christ? To stand back and watch when they realize their actions culminated in destruction.

God’s True Intent

“The only way to overcome our enemy is by loving him.”. Dietrich Bonhoeffer in The Cost of Discipleship

That is not Godly. God will allow the Godless to reap their rewards, but only after giving them every opportunity to repent. My prayer should not be for retribution but salvation. I should dedicate my life to attracting those who do not know God to God. Boy, that is a big ask.

1 Peter 3:9, “not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.”

Like Jonah, I need to accept that what Christ did for me is precisely what He will do for others. I should want Him to extend the grace He gave me to others. It is not us against the world. It is the world against God, and those who choose God will prevail.

Matthew 5:38-45, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, also turn the other to him. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him also have your coat.”

It would be nice to be God’s avenging Angel, to vanquish evil. But that is in Revelations, not today. That is God’s domain. We must save those who do not see the light, not condemn them. That’s the hard part. God wants us to love, not hate.

“To return evil for good is devilish; to return good for good is human; to return good for evil is divine.” – John Stott in The Message of the Sermon on the Mount

1 Thessalonians 5:15, “See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.”

May 13, 2025March 26, 2025

Blessed are the Persecuted

Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

I’ve always thought the caveat to this is the statement “because of their righteousness.” If we go around with a holier-than-thou attitude, we probably deserve to be slapped around. I know a good number of Christians who want to start a holy war to feel persecuted. I don’t mean a literal war, but a skirmish with non-believers, a little dust-up. Then, they can proudly proclaim that they are defending the faith.

Witness Complex

Charles Spurgeon said: “There seems to be no need to defend a lion. All one has to do is to let it loose, and the lion will defend itself.” (“Christ and His Co-Workers,” March 7, 1886)

Acts 1:8, where Jesus tells His followers, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses…”

You will be my witnesses; that is an important differentiator. We are to live blameless lives that reflect the compassion and love of Christ. Earlier, I said that the Beatitudes were not a collection of people but different aspects of the same person. We are to be poor in spirit, mourning the status of the human condition, humble, hungry for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, and a peacemaker. If, in doing all of these things, we are persecuted, then we can legitimately say it is holy persecution, not just the natural outcome of pious behavior.

Why is our witness or testimony so compelling? First, many people claim to know the scripture, even when they don’t. Only a fool argues with a fool. But our testimony is unique to us. No one is an expert on Christ’s actions in our lives but ourselves. No one can debate or cast doubt on what we have experienced. We are the ultimate source of who we are, what we have done and seen, and what God has done for and through us. They can debate scripture, but they cannot question the story of our lives.

C.S. Lewis once said, “I do not want to reduce the riches of our experience to a few propositions, nor do I want to substitute theology for God Himself.” (Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer)

Persecution Complex

I was on a mission trip to a Muslim country a few years ago. One of the new participants had brought a few Bibles and Christian Literature with him to distribute in the market. He knew it was illegal. His stated goal was to be persecuted by the local Muslims. We tried to explain to him that if he did this, not only would he be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, but the government would close the Christian schools and the University because of him. He didn’t care. He assailed us for being cowards by not standing up for the Gospel in the market.

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV) – “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

We did convince him to at least think of his wife and child, even if he could not think of the local Christians who would be subjected to persecution for his sake, not Christ’s. That was an extreme case of shortsightedness, but it brought the point home to me.

We are to be living testimony to the goodness of Christ, even to the point of persecution. We confront and confuse evil through kindness, compassion, and love, not passive-aggressive arguments.

Revelation 12:11 – “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”

May 6, 2025March 23, 2025

Blessed are the Peacemakers

Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

When I initially thought of peacemaking, I thought of conflict resolution. It seemed to involve people who go out of their way to help others restore harmony in their relationships. I thought of Gandhi, for example. But the more I study the Beatitudes, the more I am starting to understand that these are not each a distinct type of person or a distinct stage of life but a continuum of how we are expected to live. We should display the characteristics each Beatitude highlights daily and in everything we undertake.

Because of our past transgressions, we should exhibit a posture of poverty in Spirit. Mourning for the world’s condition and showing humility in our creation should be part of who we are—being dissatisfied with the world’s level of compassion and mercy, especially for the underserved. All of this should be constantly in our prayers. Peacemaking is not different.

“As I have said, the first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself… Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, but humility.” –Nelson Mandela.

Peacemaking is Active, Not Passive

Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”

Peacemaking is the act of showing compassion and kindness in all that we do. It is curbing our speech, holding back criticism, and extending praise. Fundamentally, it is allowing God to speak through us. A Christian has the confidence and trust in Christ to let slights go unnoticed. There are times when non-believers will speak against our beliefs out of ignorance. Understanding that challenging and creating hard feelings is not the way to conversion.

Jesus is referring to those who intentionally work to resolve disputes, heal relationships, and create an environment of peace. This often requires humility, wisdom, and self-sacrifice. It takes a person who exhibits all of the characteristics embodied in the Beatitudes.

A Reflection of God’s Nature

2 Corinthians 5:18, “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”

Peacemakers are “called children of God” because they reflect God’s character. Throughout Scripture, God is the reconciler—restoring humanity to Himself through Christ. When we pursue peace, we align ourselves with His divine mission. In biblical terms, peace (Hebrew: shalom) means wholeness, completeness, and right relationships—with God, others, and even within oneself. Peacemakers don’t just stop fights; they work to establish justice, truth, and restoration. They live in a way that makes conflict highly improbable.

Peacemaking Can Be Costly:

“If God be our God, He will give us peace in trouble. When there is a storm without, He will make peace within. The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble.” – Thomas Watson.

True peace often comes at a price. Jesus Himself was the ultimate Peacemaker, but His work of reconciliation led to suffering and sacrifice on the cross. Christians who strive for peace may face resistance, misunderstandings, or personal loss.

Psalm 72:7, “In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!”

April 29, 2025March 23, 2025

Blessed Are the Pure in Heart

Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

What does it mean to be pure in heart? Can a man achieve purity on this side of Heaven? The Greek word for “pure” in Matthew 5:8 is katharos. It means to be “clean, blameless, unstained from guilt. The word can refer specifically to that which is purified by fire or by pruning. I believe this passage refers to having a singleness of heart toward God. Not that you are perfected in Christ, but you have a passion for what God has a passion for. Your spirits are aligned.

“The proof of spiritual maturity is not how pure you are but awareness of your impurity. That very awareness opens the door to grace.” – Philip Yancey, What’s So Amazing About Grace?

James 4:8, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you”

Dystopian Purity

We live in a dystopia where worldly desire rules everything we see and touch. Society’s pull is constant and powerful. It is easy for us to accept that there is no life outside our worldly environment. We must conform to exist. To some extent, that is true. There are parts of the world we live in that we must conform to. But Christ showed us that we can exist in the world and still be holy.

Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him”

The aim of Jesus Christ is not to reform society but to change the hearts of sinners like you and me. Purity isn’t only about avoiding sin; it encompasses everything from maintaining purity in thoughts, motives, and emotions. Paul struggled greatly with this. He met Christ. He knew the importance of salvation and obedience, yet he struggled.

Romans 7:19: “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.”

Being Pure

Being pure in heart is not a destination. It is a process. It involves constantly being vigilant about the temptations around us. Technology has made temptation more accessible than ever. Social media, entertainment, and the internet constantly expose us to content that can erode purity. Being pure in heart can feel lonely or countercultural, especially when friends, colleagues, or even family members have different definitions of purity of heart.

“O Lord, keep our hearts, keep our eyes, keep our feet, and keep our tongues.” – William Tiptaft.

The human heart wrestles with pride, selfish desires, and weaknesses that can make it hard to consistently choose righteousness. What steps can we take to give ourselves a chance at heartfelt purity?

Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Stay Rooted in Faith: Regular prayer, scripture reading, and spiritual disciplines help guard the heart and mind.
Guard Your Inputs: Be intentional about what you watch, read, and listen to, filtering out negative influences.
Turn from Temptation: The best way to rid yourself of a bad habit is to replace it with a good habit. Every time temptation raises its ugly head, turn to a positive habit like reciting a scripture, starting to talk with God, or writing down your concerns. Occupy your mind with something useful.
Seek Accountability: Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who encourage you to live righteously.
Embrace Grace: Perfection is impossible, but God’s grace provides strength and restoration when we fall short. Embracing grace is the foundation of faith.

Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

April 22, 2025March 15, 2025

Blessed are the Merciful

Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

Mercy: “Compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.” We live in a dog-eat-dog world: competition and the desire to get ahead are hammering at us from all directions. We don’t always see someone else as someone we can harm, we see them as just another meat popsicle in a world of meat popsicles. Compassion and kindness is something you want, not something you give.

That sounds harsh, but it is how most people view life. Showing mercy should mean doing what is right, not what you have the right to do. It means not being constrained by legalism.

What is Mercy?

Mercy is being kind to the grump next door. It lets someone else have the last sandwich, cookie, or pie. Mercy shows grace to someone wrong but whose bias shields them from the truth. It is taking the time to listen when it is your turn to talk. Mercy is not overpowering someone with your force of will but using gentle persuasion. Mercy is remarkably patient and kind.

Matthew 9:13, “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Each of us is given a position of leadership. That could mean setting an example for siblings, raising children, heading a household, or holding a position of authority. From time to time, we are given the power to control others. How do we use that power? Do we use it as an opportunity to serve and be an example, or is our life so hectic and chaotic that we want the shortest path from point A to point B? Worse yet, have people controlled us with power, so we use our power as an opportunity to get back in control?

Matthew 6:14, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

Being Merciful

Matthew 18:21-22, “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

“Justice is when you get what you deserve. Mercy is when you don’t get what you deserve. Grace is when you get what you don’t deserve.” — Anonymous.

Being merciful and being meek are interrelated. We talked about meekness and God’s desire for us to approach each interaction with a sense of humility. Humility is the foundation of mercy. Once we understand that we are saved through God’s mercy, through no effort of our own, then we can extend that same attitude toward others.

Psalm 40:11, “Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.”

Can we expect compassion and kindness when we do not extend it to others? We, as Christians, are an extension of God’s kingdom here on earth. How can we expect to receive something ourselves if we do not give it to others? Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Mercy is not for them that sin and fear not, but for them that fear and sin not. – Thomas Watson, The Beatitudes

April 1, 2025March 23, 2025

Blessed are They Who Mourn

Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

Matthew 5:4 powerfully reminds us that mourning is an inevitable part of the human experience in a broken world. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, the burdens of a world full of challenges, or the pain of broken relationships and regrets, mourning is something we all face.

To Mourn

But this verse isn’t about being stuck in sorrow, it’s about the hope that follows. Grief and loss are real, but they don’t define the end of the story. They open the door to comfort, healing, and renewal. Even during pain, we are not abandoned. We are met with love, grace, and reassurance. The comfort we receive comes through our faith. Delivered through others, or the quiet peace that grows within us over time. We can trust that our pain is not meaningless, and that hope shines through, even in the darkest moments.

Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”

Mourning is not just about what’s been lost; it’s about what’s missing now. The emptiness left behind is sometimes the most challenging part. It’s not just the absence of a person or situation but also of something that once brought us joy or purpose. So, how do we fill that space?

The answer is believing that God’s presence will fill the void. Through Him we can turn to love—deepening relationships with those still with us. We can fill the emptiness by embracing a new purpose, turning pain into something meaningful through service, creativity, or personal growth. What matters is that we don’t numb the pain with distractions but allow something that truly nourishes the soul to fill the void.

Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Resilience

True resilience lies in finding God’s purpose, even in tragedy. Grief may cloud that purpose at first, but in time, we are faced with a choice: Will we allow loss to define us in despair, or will it transform us into something stronger, wiser, and more compassionate? God doesn’t remove the pain, but He gives it meaning. He uses suffering as a catalyst for growth, helping us understand life and love on a deeper level.

Never does a man know the force in him until some mighty affliction or grief has humanized the soul.- Frederick W. Robertson, The Sermons of Frederick W. Robertson.

There is always the temptation to fall into victimhood, to let pain define us as helpless or unworthy. But that path often leads to bitterness and isolation. Instead, God invites us to trust that He can use it for good even in the worst circumstances. This is where we can experience actual growth: amid hardship, we can choose to rise above it and be transformed by it.

Suffering is never without purpose. Even in our deepest pain, God is at work. The Bible speaks of how God turns ashes into beauty, works all things for good, and is always near to the brokenhearted. Mourning is not just an expression of loss—it’s an invitation to draw closer to God. In our weakest moments, we often feel His presence most profoundly. Grief creates a vacuum, but that space can be filled with God’s love, grace, and the hope of resurrection.

Beauty from Ashes

Isaiah 61:3, “To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Tragedy is a choice: either a point of surrender or resistance. Choosing redemption means trusting that God can bring something good from even the worst circumstances. Choosing victimhood closes us off from that possibility. The invitation is always there.

“Even amid our worst times, God has not abandoned us. We may feel overwhelmed by our problems and sorrows — but God is never overwhelmed, nor do they take Him by surprise.” – Billy Graham.

Ultimately, to mourn is not the end. It’s the beginning of healing, transformation, and a deeper relationship with God. Beauty from ashes—this concept speaks directly to the heart of redemption. God can take what is broken, burned, or lost and bring something new, even more beautiful, from it. It doesn’t erase the pain but transforms it, giving it purpose.

Think of how fire refines gold or how a forest, after being ravaged by fire. It grows back more vibrant than before. Similarly, our deepest struggles and losses can lead to our most extraordinary growth. If we allow God to work through them. This is where true beauty can emerge—not just from what we gain, but from what we’ve endured and learned along the way.

Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit.”

March 18, 2025March 10, 2025

Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).

At first glance, this may seem like an odd statement. Who would consider depression to be a blessing? But in the gospel context, being poor in spirit refers not to emotional poverty, but the recognition of our spiritual insufficiency. It’s about understanding that, without God, we are spiritually bankrupt, utterly incapable of saving ourselves from our sin. We should all consider ourselves poor in spirit for we have all sinned.

Acknowledging Our Sinful Nature

Romans 3:23: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

To be poor in spirit begins with the painful but necessary acknowledgment of our sinful nature. The Bible teaches that we all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. This means that, apart from God’s intervention, we are separated from Him and under the weight of sin. We may try to live righteous lives, but at the core, we are broken, our hearts are prone to selfishness, pride, and rebellion. We all have a desperate past of sin that we want to forget, but can’t.

“Our yesterdays present irreparable things to us; it is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future.”— Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

Recognizing this spiritual poverty is the first step to true humility. It’s when we come to terms with the reality that we have nothing to offer God in terms of righteousness, and that we cannot make ourselves right with Him on our own. This is a sobering realization, but it is also a liberating one.

Seeking God for Relief

Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Once we acknowledge our brokenness, we face the crucial question: How do we find relief from this self-incrimination? How do we stop beating ourselves up over past transgressions? The answer is simple yet profound—by seeking God. To be poor in spirit is to recognize our need and turn to the One who can provide what we cannot. It’s an invitation to humility, surrender, and a desire to be transformed by God’s grace.

In seeking God, we acknowledge that only He can heal our brokenness. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, cleansed, and made new. The kingdom of heaven belongs to those who recognize their need for a Savior. This is why Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Recognizing our sin and dependence on God opens the door to the richness of His grace and the abundant life He promises.

A Humble Posture Before God

Being poor in spirit also means taking on a humble posture before God, free of self-righteousness. It’s easy to look at others and think we are better or more deserving of God’s favor, but the reality is that we are all in need of His mercy. We are all beggars at the foot of the cross.

True humility comes from knowing we cannot stand on our merits. Our salvation is entirely God’s work, not our own. When we recognize this, we can experience the freedom and peace that come from trusting in Him fully.

Conclusion

Proverbs 18:14: “The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?”

The blessing of being poor in spirit positions us to receive the kingdom of heaven. It’s an invitation to let go of self-incrimination and embrace God’s grace. By acknowledging our sinful nature and seeking God’s relief, we are drawn closer to Him. As we walk in humility and surrender, we find that God, in His mercy, is ready to forgive and transform us, making us new creations in Christ. This is the true blessing of being poor in spirit—recognizing our need and finding our fullness in God alone, erasing the past and looking toward the future.