In John 5:8, Jesus spoke “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”  This is the first of the beatitudes that comes with the promise of SEEING God.  Generally sin is defined as any form of self satisfaction, gratification, selfish desire, or immoral behavior.  

Living with a pure heart does not refer to immoral actions ONLY, but to EVERY thought that distracts us from a deep, intimate, committed, and transformative relationship with God. 

Ultimately, we should desire to know God, even as we are fully known by Him!  While we do see “but a poor reflection now…. we should strive to know God even as we are known by God NOW (1 Cor 13:12, Paraphased).  This is a PURE HEART!

In Phillipians 3:12, Paul reminds us to “…press on to take hold of that which Christ took HOLD of me (you, mankind)

Life is all about God! 

When I think of the word “mercy,” I think of its application as being applied to significant injustices.  In Matthew 5:7, Jesus stated “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” 

Mercy is the act of extending forgiveness or grace when a just response may be to do otherwise. A just and natural response would be to need out a judgment equal to or worse than the original offense. 

But Jesus speaks about a supernatural response to those who find themselves walking in judgement and outside the consideration of Mercy.  John 5:7 comes with the promise that those who extend mercy will themselves receive mercy. 

Ultimately, Jesus extended the highest order of Mercy when “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). 

In Christianity, sin is the act of turning our back on God, our creator and life sustainer. 

David wrote these words in Psalm 86:15 – “But though oh God, art a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness and truth.”  

Jesus died in order that we might have life!  Life abundant in Him.  Receiving His mercy for us, allowing us to walk in and extend His mercy and grace to others.

Seleh

In Christian circles this word is familiar, though when

Jesus did for us what we could not do ourselves, he took on

So we are made righteousness through Jesus Christ.  In Matt 5:6, Jesus speaks of a continuing

One writer states it this way:

“…God presents us with a  serious challenge.  Because (righteousness) is continuously

“Most of us desire for God’s Kingdom and His righteousness,

Let’s not be counted among those living out our faith by

Let’s be challenged to live our of lives in such a way!!!! Reflecting

Thank you Lord that “I have been crucified with Christ and

Think about it!!!!

As we continue our discussion from Matthew the 5thchapter, in Verse 6, Jesus spoke these words – “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.”

Every living being has experienced hunger and thirst. On a physical level, without food or water we cannot survive and the need is on going and never ending. We depend on food and water for survival. But we also hunger and thirst after the things of this world to find satisfaction in a similar way. What is it that you may be seeking to find happiness, joy, or even peace? Jesus is saying that if you will seek Him and His Righteousness, you will be FILLED!

Nothing brings greater satisfaction! FILLED with the FULNESS of knowing Jesus and His righteousness brings FREEDOM from ongoing “hunger and thirst”  that will otherwise never be satisfied. In John 4:10-13, Jesus speaks to the Samaritan women’s natural thirst and tells her “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

To listen to this or other podcasts, click on the link below, go to anchor.fm/steve-crowdus or visit our website at lifebeyondthesummit.com. Our email is [email protected].

We would love hear from you, how we can pray for you and help strengthen your faith through His Word!!!

In Matthew 5:5, Jesus spoke – “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” “Meek” is not likely a word that would make a modern day list of virtues worthy of the inheritance of the earth, if such an inheritance were even possible.

Though familiar with the word “Meek,” a look online brought this definition – timid, reserved, quiet, gentle, easily imposed upon, and/or submissive.

From the worlds perspective, “Blessed” is more likely to include words like strong, courageous, disciplined, intelligent, bold, unafraid, outspoken, or revered. Yet this word “Meek” in third in succession behind “Pour in Spirt” and those who “Morn.”

And then to suggest that these and other similar virtues will provide for an inheritance of the “earth” and “kingdom of heaven.”

What the world values escapes the reasoning of Jesus, whose heart is to glorify His Father, and not that of man or man’s desire for worldly gain. In God’s economy, the “Meek” see themselves through the lens of faith, desiring to serve God and others, seeking the greater reward of relationship with God, through His Son, Jesus Christ!

Most people define “Rich” in terms of wealth and financial prosperity in areas such as or the money, investments, property, and possessions. Often, we will refer to this level of wealth as living a “Blessed” life. We work hard, advance our intellect, reasoning, and human understanding for the causes of growth, gain, and accumulation of the comforts of life.

How does the Bible define living a “Blessed” life? In Matthew 5:1-10, Jesus defined “Blessed” to include an entirely different approach to a definition of “Rich.”

The “Blessed” life Jesus speaks of is not subject to rust or decay, produces full abundance in this life and an eternal inheritance beyond.

To listen to this or other podcasts, click on the link below, go to anchor.fm/steve-crowdus or visit our website at lifebeyondthesummit.com. Our email is [email protected].

God’s word is life changing. In Hebrews 4:12, the writer proclaims “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow and attitudes of the heart.”

The Bible is the portal through which we enter into relationship with God, know and understand Him, and begin to understand His purpose for our own lives.  God’s word comes alive, through faith, and faith itself a gift (Eph 2:8). God did not leave us to our own in these matters, but rather God provided a Helper, the Holy Spirit, in order to reveal the truth of his Gospel to mankind.

Even Jesus himself, only did what his father in heaven instructed him to do. Matthew 4:1-4 shares the story of Jesus in the desert.  Having gone without food for forty days and nights, Satan presumed on Jesus’ hunger when encouraging to turn a stone into bread.  But, Jesus would not turn to his own need and means to find satisfaction, but rather referred back to God’s Word – “It is written: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

So too our knowledge of God and his will and purpose for ours lives, come through knowing the God of His Word, the Bible, allowing it to transformed through “washing of the water of the Word.”

Unlike any other literary work, the Bible is unique in its ability to produce and give life to those who heed its call and redemptive power.

The apostle Paul wrote these words in John 1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind!

Inspired by God, written by the hand of man, it is unique in its power to give and sustain life for all who believe. It begins with belief, with trusting in Jesus, and accepting the free gift of salvation that His life and death offered us. Jesus re-established the relationship God originally intended when he created man in His own image and for his own pleasure, a relationship with Himself. A relationship that man severed for his own gain.

The apostle Paul best stated the transformation that the life in Christ produces and its value to those who find it! His word is life to those who find it and health to the entire body (Psalm 4:22). Paul told the Philippians his message of salvation and life in Christ is a “safeguard for you.”  He further said that whatever he found as gain in this life, he “considered loss for the sake of Christ.”

Only in the Word of God do we find the promise of life, only the word of God produces life in full abundance, it is transformational and eternal!! His word is lamp unto our feet and light unto our path!!!

John 6:35 said this of Himself --  "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

In the Biblical book of Revelation, the 12th chapter, 11th verse, the Apostle Paul wrote… “…they (followers of Christ), were saved by the blood of the lamb (Jesus death on the cross) and the word of our testimony.” So strong were those who believe that “they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

It is that same power, power written of by the Apostle Paul, prophetically, in A.D. 95, that transcends time and space and brings life to all who call upon his name!

For some years, I found myself routinely befriending Christ followers -- not recognized at the onset, but discovered over time.   The all exuded a peace, confidence, and a love for God's word, the Bible.  Some told of their own personal journey to faith with great fanfare and others with quiet reflections, but in every case, it was their faith in Jesus Christ as well as the transformation that they had experienced (testimony), that was compelling!  

If this could be that real for others, perhaps it could be for me as well.  On July 31, 1982, after years of contemplation, and the undeniable difference seen in the lives of others, I too became a Christ follower!  I have never regretted it, even for a minute.  

My relationship with Christ and a love for God's word have tranformed me!

This is the power of God’s word!....

To listen to this or other podcasts, click on the link below, go to anchor.fm/steve-crowdus or visit our website at lifebeyondthesummit.com. Our email is [email protected].

“For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations” -- Psalm 100:5.

Faithfulness -- the first thoughts that come to mind -- loyal, trustworthy, dependable, committed, true, honorable, and perhaps most assuredly, reliable. Faithfulness also suggest fidelity. Fidelity suggests purity in purpose and loyalty without compromise. In Romans 5:8, we are reminded that “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” and in 2 Cor. 5:21 Paul wrote -- “ He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

The faithfulness of God is unlike any other, for we have “all fallen short.” Roman 2:4 reminds us that  “… it is His kindness that leads us to repentance.” Apart from Him we can do nothing, but because of Him, we walk in “… newness of life.” – Romans 6:4

Isaiah 43:1 reads – “…I have summoned you by name, you are mine.” Do we understand His great Love for us? Can we understand His faithfulness, and with “resolve” -- give Him ours?