Let The Light of The Beatitudes Shine From Your Heart
Who among us does not wish to be emotionally healthy? When I began this study, I had two very clear questions deep in my heart. Is my heart driven by my emotions? Or, Are my emotions driven by my heart? Sometimes we can be so driven or consumed by life’s emotions that there is no room in our hearts for anything else. Those emotions hidden in our heart can be like little out of control reactors waiting to release ‘toxic waste. It will be released! It may spew out a little at a time, or it may be like an explosion. All it takes is someone or something to cause the release.
I am learning that when there seems to be no room left in the heart, the Word can miraculously make room for that which is “The Heart of Jesus”. It happens as we open our hearts to Him, who lives in our hearts. Jesus is always there, you know! He’s waiting for you to allow the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit to fill your open heart to overflowing with His moral excellence (see John 7:38). Only then will our emotions be driven by the heart of Jesus Christ. It will be Christ within us that will help us to possess that fruit of the spirit which is self control.
I want to encourage you to think about Jesus’ teaching of The Beatitudes, in contrast to or as an alternative to those chaotic, sometimes harmful emotions (cause~emotion~affect/effect) we all experience. God created us with all of these wonderful emotional, emotions. It is only fitting that He is the one who can help us keep them under control.
May we allow The Beatitudes of Jesus to replace our hate, bitterness, spite and jealousy with MERCY. When we are prideful or thinking only of how we are affected by life and its circumstances, may we become POOR IN SPIRIT. May our ‘I’m Sorrys’ in life become MOURNFUL and REPENTANT. May we seek to live life according to the standards that God places before us (RIGHTEOUSNESS of God). May we seek to live PURE, uncontaminated (by our sins or sometimes contaminated by our past) lives. May we seek PEACE, and not vengence or the right to say you are wrong.
These Are the Lights That Will Shine From Your Hearts, The Beatitudes
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
Thought to Ponder: Think, again, about some of those emotions hidden in your heart that are waiting to be released. Think about how easily we can become offended by others, or the circumstances that cause negative emotions. Pray and give them to the Lord, asking Him to take your every thought and emotion captive (see 2 Corinthians 10:4-5). Ask Him to help you to be obedient in this area of your life.
FINAL INSTRUCTIONS
1 Thessalonians 5:12-24
“The One Who Calls You Is Faithful“
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