“Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness; sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
Matthew 5:1-12
Today’s Christian daily devotional
“So I hear you found God.” Everything about Ronnie’s face reeks of pure contempt. I watch him saunter confidently over to our table, interrupting my girl’s night out.
“Excuse me, ladies…but…Jules and I go way back.” He winks at the table full of my girlfriends and pulls my elbow into his large frame.
“Let’s catch up.” He breathes his whiskey-tinged request into my ear.
Amy shoots him a look that could kill while standing up defensively.
“It’ll just be a minute.” I quiet her with a calm smile and turn to face the music.
Ronnie and I had shared years of pain together. That common bond was more than I was comfortable with but, that discomfort didn’t change the fact of our shared history.
“Looks like you found more than God.” Ronnie lifts my left hand; my wedding band sparkles even in the dark restaurant. His eyes are heavy and sad.
“And I see that you’re still in love with Jack Daniels.” I point to the empty glass in his hands.
Ronnie slams it on the bar. I didn’t flinch, not like I used to.
The tables around us quiet to a dull hush. My girlfriends eye the two of us carefully. They know all about good old Ronnie and our torrid past.
At one point in my life this shadow of a man actually broke my heart, destroyed my self-esteem, stole money and years of my life without a second thought.
There was a tangible presence of fear hovering in the air. But, this time, it wasn’t on my end.
Not much had changed in the years since I had last seen Ronnie. He was the same angry, depraved and broken man.
“Finding God was the best thing that ever happened to me.” My boldness even surprises myself.
“God is for the weak.” He slides his empty glass down to the end of the bar, nodding at the bartender. The shot glass was filled to the rim.
“And drinking’s not?” I didn’t miss a beat.
“We’re all going to go down at some point. At least I’ll go down just like my Irish dad. Why mess with legacy?” The bartender slides the drink down and Ronnie catches it and swoops it up in one steady move.
The scared expression on Ronnie’s eyes said it all. His heart was restless. He had no peace. Like any hurting human being, it was plain to see that he was desperate for peace, security and love….everything that I had found. But, Ronnie was to proud to admit having that kind of weakness.
“You’re a fool, Jules. You always were.” He shook his head as he walked to the end of the bar, motioning with his hand for another drink.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I have tried to control every aspect of my life thinking that it would prevent pain or disappointment. Looking back, I can see that it has actually been the source of both for me.
Who am I to try and take the reigns when you have offered to do the hard part for me? Who am I to try and prove that I know it all, when it is plain for me to see that my ignorance runs deeper than the blood in my veins?
Lord, take this foolish pride. It has gotten me nowhere good. I cling to the only strength I have—the strength of Christ that lives inside of me.
Help me to overcome the deeply ingrained habits that saturate my choices. I know there is always a better way. I must be willing to change, if I want to find it.
In Jesus’ precious name, by the cleansing of His blood and with the dunamis power of His resurrection Spirit living in me, I know I can. Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: Matthew 5:1-12
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan