Pushback

Matthew 5:3-12; Matthew 6:19-21; Psalm 17:15 

Giving over your life to Jesus wouldn’t be hard if you weren’t worrying about your reputation. It wouldn’t be difficult if you had the time. And what about Satan whispering in your ear, worrying about your finances, painting pictures of broken relationships and promising the loss of normal. Jesus didn’t promise protection from the painful consequences of life, quite the opposite, in fact. But with every heartbreak comes a different promise. The mourning, persecuted, and weary are assured of a store of heavenly riches: unending peace, joy, and companionship. The enemy of fear is our hope: knowing that eternity with the Lord awaits. Take pride in the good work, the long and hard journey that brings you home. 


Questions for further thought:
1. Which of the Beatitudes resonates the most with you? 


2. How has God gotten you through the trials of the “journey” so far?


Challenge: Memorize Matthew 28:19-20. Let it be a reminder of your purpose and your hope as you go out into the world.