Monday, February 8, 2010

Memory Monday - Feb. 8

If you are going along with our Memory Mondays and started when I started then you should be able to quote the following verses:

Micah 6:8 Micah 6:8

James 2:26 James 2:26

Psalm 1:1-2 Psalm 1:1-2

and Matthew 5:3-4 Mattheew 5:3-4

Do you need some hints?

Micah 6:8 (what the Lord requires)

James 2:26 (faith and works)

Psalm 1:1-2 (Blessed is the man who...)

Matthew 5:3-4 (the first two Beatitudes)

So today we'll pick up the next two Beatitudes - Matthew 5:5-6. They sound a little different if you are used to KJV because these are from the NASB. The NASB uses "gentle" instead of "meek." "Gentle" is a more common word today don't you think?

5."Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.


6."Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
 
Being gentle is another thing modern Americans are TERRIBLE at being. Why do you think Rambo movies (and similar) are so popular. And how do people in Clarksville and other military base towns survive if they are gentle?
 
The only way to live a gentle life is to learn it from the Master.
Jesus said, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.  Matthew 11:29 NAS
 
Gentleness doesn't mean you have to go out in the forest like Snow White and sing to the birds and the other critters.
 
Gentleness and humbleness of heart is what the Apostle Paul was talking about in Phillipians when he was describing Christ who humbled Himself. Being gentle is not demanding your own way rather than forcing your way on others. Being gentle is answering with a "soft answer" that turns away wrath. (Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.)
 
Here are Paul's instructions to us from Phillipians.
 
Phillipians 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
 
You can't be this way by accident or in your own strength. Take on Christ'as yoke and learn from Him. Let the Holy Spirit live in and through you (since gentleness is one of the fruits of the Spirit.)
 
Let me know how it's going.

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