I have written this first part twice now. Neither is what I want to say. So I’m just jumping in.
As I have recently shared I’m trying to memorize, trying being the operative word here. Lol. I’m stuck right now on verses 10, 11 and 12. , Blessed are those. Blessed are you. I appreciate this. I say this out loud and hear Jesus speaking to the crowd and speaking right to my heart.
I’m not saying I’m being actively persecuted or insulted, i just appreciate the 2nd person address. I want to have these words memorized for the days to come, whatever they may hold. Again, not suggesting anything. I just want to know them. Here are these two verses.
““Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 5:10-12 NASB1995
As I have been mulling over and over, and over, did I say over? These verses, verse 12 reminds me of my time in Acts over this past spring. We can give the disciples a hard time. They were kinda clueless. Or didn’t really listen. Or didn’t understand. Fill in the blank. But, these verses, oh, they got it. Let’s look at Acts 5.
“They [Sanhedrin] took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them [apostles] and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”
Acts 5:40-42 NASB1995
They were flogged. And they rejoiced that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. They were listening, friends. They heard Jesus. They knew His words. And that is why i need to memorize! Oh my soul, remember this. I’m like the little engine that couldn’t. I start all excited and then poof, the hill comes.
May we be counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. May we accurately read and memorize and know the words of this book.
So, funny story, I never did get to what I actually wanted to write about! More tomorrow. Much love.
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