Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10)     Being “the persecuted” is just as much a foundational stone as the poor in spirit, the meek, or those who show mercy. This beatitude is last because it is the natural result of the first seven. When persecution is not evident in the life of a believer, that is the evidence of a lack of the first seven. It’s important also to understand that I am not speaking of political persecution or ethnic persecution, but persecution because of righteousness (or godliness). A godly person is not someone who is lifted…

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9)     To be called (and seen as) children of God, you must be someone who in your lifestyle is a maker of peace. Strife and division must never be part of the character of my children, so when you neglect your duty to make peace you are neglecting your role as a child of God. A peacemaker is more than an arbitrator between opposing sides, he is also someone who actively and intentionally creates peace all around him. Peace is not always something that happens spontaneously, it must be created by someone who is willing…

And He said to them, how is it that you had to look for Me? Did you not see and know that it is necessary [as a duty] for Me to be in My Father’s house and [occupied] about My Father’s business? (Luke 2:49 AMPC)     Just as this was the first recorded words of Jesus, this truth must be first in the hearts and understanding of every son and daughter: it is absolutely necessary that you 1. Be in my house, and 2. Be occupied with my business. To be in my house is not to be in a particular building, but to see my house in two…

Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. (Mark 6:7-10) There are three important elements to the way that the first disciple-makers were sent out to make disciples: 1. They possessed the authority of Jesus 2. They had nothing to depend upon 3. They were relational.  1. It’s important for my church to once again understand what it…

“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:10-14)     When love grows cold, my church becomes an empty shell. Without love, speaking in tongues is just a clanging cymbal and without love every religious duty is done without…

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)     I want you to learn how to love me in a deeper way, for love is who I am, and only love can transform who you are. When you love me with all of your heart you are choosing to release your emotions to me and not be afraid to deeply care about our relationship together. When you…

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? “Therefore, I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” (Matthew 21: 42-44)     It’s important to understand that Jesus did not say the builders rejected that stone and then changed their mind and made it the cornerstone … they reject it to this day. The building…