"Bless and do not curse."

Today I started the New Testament... Matthew. I am so excited about studying the words of Jesus. God is working in my heart like never before.

"Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

O Lord, the first words of Your ministry... repent! How prideful we are. I confess to you my own pridefulness--my pride towards you, my pride over others. O Lord, who am I to think that I am above anyone else? I judge others, I look down on others, I despise others, I reject them, O Merciful One, forgive me for these my sins. For indeed, the words of your first Sermon, you said: Blessed are the poor in spirit, Blessed are those who mourn, Blessed are the meek, Blessed are those who hunger for righteousness, Blessed are the merciful, Blessed are the pure in heart, Blessed are the peacemakers, Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you.* O God, you came to be the light for those broken spirits, the contrite of heart, the persecuted ones, the prostitutes, the tax-collectors... not for the prideful. O God, how immensely wicked I am in the reliance of my own deeds, how arrogant I become, how prideful towards you.

"And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake for you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled."*

Make this my prayer. I want to follow you with everything I am--enable me to do so Lord. I pray that I will cast off my arrogance, anger, frustrations, remembering that I have One who has gone before me, who has loved those who hated Him, forgiven those who persecute Him, and prayed for those who seek to undermine His Truthfulness. I want to be like you Christ, I want to love others like You loved them, unconditionally. I want to see past their filth, unworthiness, despair; to see a life that can be saved for You, a life that can be renewed and given the Life which You alone give. Impart to others the same grace You have so mercifully bestowed upon my unworthy soul. Give them the same peace! O Father, how inwardly calm and confident I am in You, knowing that You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.*

O Lord, what do You say? And how do you instruct me to give me life up for You? O Merciful One, you have imparted Your Scriptures to Me, giving Me a hope for things to come, an assurance of things past. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.* How, O Lord, do I let my light shine? In what ways should I tell the world of all Your wonders and mercies.

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,'
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
If anyone wants to sue you and take way your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away."*

Lord, give me the strength to turn the other cheek. Give me the power to be gracious and kind in others wrong-doing towards me. I am so guilty of failing to do so each day. So often I respond with a rash comment, a grudgingly look, a contemptible action. The devil so easily ensnared me when I am caught up in adrenaline, or fatigue, or weakness of mind... I so often give in to that wicked voice in my head saying, "Look there!" or "Yell at this man!" or "Hate!" or "Judge this soul." Oh Lord, I now confess these weaknesses to You, asking for Your deliverance, Your grace to be shed upon me, allowing me to Love my enemies, bless those who curse me, do good to those who hate me, and pray for those who spitefully use me and persecute me. For if I love those who love me, what reward have I? Do no even the tax collectors do the same?

So as I write these words down, I pray I will inscribe them also on my heart. That these words will flow from my mind, to my heart, to my body, and manifest themselves through obediance and service to You throughout this day, and all the days of my life.


1* Matthew 5:3a-11a
2* I Peter 3:13-14
3* I John 1:9
4* Matthew 5:16
5* Matthew 5:38-42
6* Matthew 5:44,46