Matthew 5-6 and Acts 7-9

Observations from Matthew 5-6: there was a lot here in these two chapters from Jesus’ sermon on the Mount.   The following verses really stood out to me today.

  • “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope.   With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”   Lately I feel that I’m at the end of my rope due to some trying circumstances.   So I’m looking for blessing — more of God and his rule in my life.
  • “I’m telling you to love your enemies.   Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.   When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves.   This is what God does.   He gives his best — the sun to warm and the rain to nourish — to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty.”
  • “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.   God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”

Observations from Acts 7-9:

  • Stephen gives a great synopsis of Israel’s history.   He gave those stone him while he was dying.   That was true love.
  • Simon the wizard learned you cannot buy God’s power.
  • Peter and Philip and now Paul experience and live out some amazing things.

1 Comment

  1. Richard
    Sep 25, 2008

    Karen, years ago I read a book on the Sermon on the Mount by a black pastor named Clarence Jordan. The book is titled (oddly enough) “The Sermon on the Mount” and it is one of the best explanations of this remarkable discourse I have ever read. (Jordan also wrote the very colloquial, if not quite politically correct “Cotton Patch Gospel” paraphrases.)

    The Sermon starts with the beautitudes (Greek for “blessings”). But as someone once said, these are really the “be attitudes!” You have an amazing attitude, Karen, and I can’t wait to see God’s finished handwork some day! You bless so many others– may you be blessed this day too!