WHEN ARE WE BLESSED?

The Bible mentions many times that we are blessed. One that has been standing out to me lately is found in Matthew 5:10 -12.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 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.

Wow! Rejoice. The KJV says rejoice and be exceedingly glad. What an upside down kingdom that we belong to. The things that should discourage are supposed to make us glad. Of corse, only when we are persecuted because of Christ...not because we have been a jerk.

Then in vs. 44 it says "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you."

So we need to rejoice and be glad and then be kind back. This is impossible in the flesh but Jesus makes it totally doable.

We also need to remember that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers.... So we should not personify the persecution to people but realize that it is the principalities working in that person. They are just a puppet.

The Bible is so full of truth of how to live this live in the world and get along with everyone....what an amazing book.

KNOWING GOD/EXPERIENCING GOD

It is almost 1 am but I have been to bed and can't sleep because of this nasty cold.

So as I lay awake I was thinking, "we can get to know God by experiencing Him and we can experience Him by getting to know Him. Stay with me now....I will explain.

So often people that get to KNOW God do so through Bible study and reading His word. They have a head knowledge and really know why they believe what they believe. They can quote scripture with references on any topic that comes up. Many times people like this have limited experiences with the Lord.

On the other hand, many times people who EXPERIENCE God do so though prayer, soaking, listening to His voice, etc. They are happy, love God, understand His heart, and follow His lead. Many times these people don't know scripture and cannot defend what they believe.

So why choose. We need to study, study, study. Experience, Experience, Experience. A head knowledge of the Lord won't give us the relationship with the Him we so badly need, but experience alone will not help us stay strong when our beliefs are tested.

So, lets be balanced people. "Study to show thyself approved, a workman that needs not be ashamed" and "Hide His Word in your heart so that you will not sin against Him". Also be in his presence " In your presence is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore" and "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere."

We can know Him by experiencing Him....we can experience Him through getting to know Him though His word.

WE DON'T HAVE TO CHOOSE ONE OR THE OTHER.

These are my 1:00 am random thoughts. What do you think of them?

Another Guessing Game

Guess who...

was born in Saint John, Sept. 1989

was the cutest baby in the nursery (hospital and church)

was the most thankful 2 year old I have ever met

loved peanut butter sandwiches at 10 months and had teeth to eat them

loved to play pretend with Courtney and Kendra

had an attachment (called a Marli) at her side 24/7 for 10 years

swam like a fish when she was four years old

loved the cooool down (with sunglasses on) from my Jane Fonda video

was and is intense

loves passionately

worships passionately

lives passionately

climbs trees......too high

hides in libraries in foreign countries

loves children

can't find her "stuff" even when it is right in front of her

is a gifted writer and songwriter

wants to take over the world

Yeah, you guessed it......KATIE