Today’s Walk in the Word

Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.                  —Mark 16:15 We interrupt this program to bring you a reminder that the part of the world in which you live is not the whole world but only a small piece of the big […]

The tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do.                          —James 3:5 A piercing scream came from the rambunctious little girl’s bedroom. Dad rushed to the room and found his daughter in tears. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “I burnt my […]

You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.          —Matthew 5:13, 14 Having named eight character traits of discipleship, Jesus now illustrates how those who possess them exert a positive influence in the world. The Christian is to be vigilant in keeping “from being polluted by […]

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.                    —Matthew 5:10 It’s quite a jump from being a peacemaker to being a victim of persecution; from the endeavor to live peaceably to the experience of hostility. The operational words […]

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.                     —Matthew 5:9 A peacemaker is, first of all, one who refuses to be a disrupter of peace. “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph […]

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.    —Matthew 5:8 “Who may stand in [God’s] holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart” (Ps 24:3, 4). Jesus said, “Out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a […]

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.              —Matthew 5:7 Viewing someone with disapproval and thinking, “If I were you, I would [do such and such].” No! If I were you, I would feel and act exactly as you are feeling and acting. Being merciful is changing […]

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.    —Matthew 5:6 We pursue happiness, and it eludes us, for happiness is not found by striving for it directly but as a byproduct of seeking something else. Jesus said it comes from seeking righteousness. The blessedness of this beatitude doesn’t […]

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.            —Matthew 5:5  In some versions, “The meek” is translated “the humble” or “those of gentle spirit.” In a world of too much “It’s-all-about-me” aggressiveness, “Blessed are the meek” comes across as weak. However, it is the opposite of weakness. It […]

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.            —Matthew 5:4 The promised comfort of this beatitude doesn’t relate to mourning the loss of a loved one but to mourning the loss of innocence and self-respect because of sin. It is the second stage of spiritual blessing: from acknowledging […]