Last week we walked through the Beatitudes. For the next three days, we are going to look at what God expects of us…and has for nearly three thousand years. In Isaiah 58, is a proclamation, response, and counter-response—God, his people, and God. God tells the prophet to proclaim to Israel their rebellion and false attemptsContinue reading “God’s Expectations, Pt. 1”
Author Archives: martypressey
Blessed by God
How do you like it when people say evil things about you? Is your immediate reaction to spout evil things about them? Do you believe you are justified in doing so? Do you believe it is the right thing to do? Have you considered how you should react as a follower of Jesus? It isContinue reading “Blessed by God”
Persecuted for Righteousness
Do you believe you are righteous? Do you seek to be righteous? Do you act as though you are righteous? Do you believe your righteousness comes from you? Are you being persecuted because you are righteous or are pursuing righteousness? Have you considered these questions before? Believing we righteous can be challenging. Feeling self-righteous isContinue reading “Persecuted for Righteousness”
Be A Peacemaker
Are you tired of all the arguing, bickering, finger pointing, and in-fighting we see in our society today? Do you wish it would all end? Do you wish people would simply get along? Are you doing anything about it? Are you helping? Or are you contributing to it? We can’t go a single day withoutContinue reading “Be A Peacemaker”
Merciful and Pure
Do you remember as a child the magic word boys would say if they were ready to give up when wrestling? Do you remember that everyone abided by that unwritten rule? Do you know there is an axiom in the Beatitudes that the unwritten rule was based on? When I was in elementary school, whenContinue reading “Merciful and Pure”
Hunger and Thirst
What is your heart’s desire? What is it that you long for more than anything else? What are you striving for every day? What consumes your attention? What are you working toward? What are you focusing on today? Are you progressing toward your goal? If you are like me, there have been many things youContinue reading “Hunger and Thirst”
Mourning and Meekness
Are there things you are sorry for? Have you done things you wish you hadn’t? Have you faced persecution? Do you struggle to make ends meet? Do you feel as though you are invisible? Does it seem as though people walk on you? Are you seeking relief? Do you desire being noticed? We all haveContinue reading “Mourning and Meekness”
Seeking Understanding
Are you looking for advice? Are you seeking insights for living your life to the full? How are you going about getting the advice you are seeking? Is it from self-help books? Are you reading professional journals? Do you have a mentor or someone you specifically seek for advice? We can all continue to learnContinue reading “Seeking Understanding”
Let Your Light Shine
How often have you thought about light? Do you think about it only when you are in a dark room and decide to turn the light on? Do you think about being a light yourself? Why or why not? Do you think about spreading the light of Jesus wherever you go? We know inherently thatContinue reading “Let Your Light Shine”
Salt of the Earth
What comes to mind when you hear the term salty? Do you think of someone who is colorful or offensive or condescending? If you have heard that term used for someone, one of those descriptive words just may come to mind. Have you used that term for someone or yourself? Sailors will often call someoneContinue reading “Salt of the Earth”
Marty Pressey 