Paradigm Shift Ministries

Fall: Week Ten
Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
~ Matthew 5:10 ~

History teaches us that standing up for what is right is not always the most popular thing to do.  From ancient prophets to today’s sincere Christians, bad things happen to good people because of mean-spirited people who equate being good to being weak.  Jesus teaches us that only the spiritually strong can stand for righteousness - to be salt and light.  It is easy to just “go with the flow,” but it is difficult to live life upstream, which is how followers of Christ are called to live.  The world doesn’t like strong people; no matter who you are, all leaders will be shot down by those around you.  But if you hold true to your values and earnestly try to live the life that God called you to live, then the Bible promises us that we will receive a reward in heaven that will be greater than any prize that this world can offer.

The Sermon on the Mount can be summed up by “Christ’s Kingdom First.”  We are called to live for His glory, not ours.  We are not called to follow the crowd but instead to be the salt and light of the earth.  People are supposed to look at us and see Jesus.  What do people see when they look at you?  Does your life reflect the world or the Word?  Are you living for the Kingdom, or are you just trying to get by day by day?

God has a plan for you, but you have to give yourself over to His will.  However, this is not the easy road; you will be persecuted and torn down, but God promises to be there with you no matter how dark the world is around you.  Look at what Jesus went through!  He was brutally beaten and executed even though He committed no crime.  But He conquered death!  He rose from the dead and offers new life to us as well!  God wants to restore us spiritually, but we will have to sacrifice some of our physical comforts in order to receive this new life.  The Bible goes on to say that we should rejoice when we are persecuted!  We must let God shine in our weakness, let His strength carry us when we feel like the world is crashing down around us.  If you can stick it out and live for the Kingdom, then your inheritance will be waiting for you in heaven!

Fall: Week Nine
Blessed Are the Peacemakers:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
~ Matthew 5:9 ~

If you want to be known as a child of God, then you must live your life in a way that stands out from people of the world. We, as the “children of God,” are called to love God first and to love others second, period. The Bible teaches that our lives should be built upon those two simple commands. This cannot happen unless we have hearts of peace. The Greek word here for “peacemakers” can also be translated as “ones who love peace.” Do you love peace? Or do you love to fight and argue with those around you? Think about how you treat others – do you earnestly try to get along with others, or are you always looking for ways to cause division and tension?

Think of God like you think of your parents. Do your parents like it better when you are respectful to others? Do you respect their authority peacefully, or do you constantly rebel against them? God loves you, and He wants you to return that love. The best way to show your love for God is to obey His commands and to respect His authority. Give your anger and hate to Him; let the Almighty Lord deal with your problems. The Bible teaches us not to worry about the future but instead to trust that He has a greater purpose and a greater plan for your life. There will be time for judgment, but that time is reserved for God’s perfect judgment. We are called to be peacemakers and ambassadors of heaven – “children of God.”

Let me ask you again, do you love peace? Do you trust in God’s ultimate plan? Do you respect His authority? Do you love Him? Do you love your neighbor? Only you can answer these questions. And remember, it is never too late to make a change. God loves you, and all you have to do is love Him back and trust in Him in order to find life everlasting. Turn to Him, for His love is the source of strength for His children. It is human nature to struggle and fight with others, which is why we need God’s divine grace in order to know how to truly be peacemakers and light-bearers in our cold and dark world.