Prayer Challenge

You are so lucky.

You aren't blessed if you have a nice house or car....that's just some great things that have happened to you.  You've been able to provide for yourself, way to go!  Don't confuse those with blessings.

Are you looking at me cockeyed?

Today isn't necessarily a prayer challenge as much as a look at your life challenge.

Let's read the most prolific sermon performed by Jesus Christ.....The Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 5 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

The Beatitudes

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Do not confuse your materials for blessings.

Do not confuse your state of health as a blessing.

You are blessed when you are feeling low, mourning, quiet and not fighting or boasting, you are blessed when you seek for justice for those who need it most, you are blessed when you give mercy to those who have hurt you and wronged you, you are blessed when you love endlessly for those around you known and unknown.

You are blessed when you realize that words of anger and bitterness and actions of evil are not the correct way to make situations better.  You are blessed when people turn against you for acting with all these characteristics.  You are blessed when people hurt you for doing the work you were put on this earth to do in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Not once did Jesus Christ say you were blessed if you had a money, a big house, an expensive car, the priciest clothes, the best health report card, an education from a top school, that group of friends, or winning the lottery.

Blessings aren't the easiest things because of the human condition - but man are they something to work for.