Orange Juice

Matthew 5:8

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

Jesus talks about the pure in heart, not the pure in body, not only the virgins or the holy priests. It’s the ones who hearts are open before God, who, through the fire of the Holy Spirit and Jesus' perfect love, have been purified.

To be pure is to be made up of one single thing, no added extras, like pure gold, or pure orange juice. To be pure in heart is when your desires and faith and love is made up of God alone, your heart set on Jesus, and only Him. Not that you only do "Jesus things" all day, every day. But it's a way of thinking, a way of living that is fully built upon and centered around Jesus and His truth.

And when we do that we will be pure in heart. We will see God. We will be blessed. Whole, perfectly satisfied, at peace with God, and lacking nothing. 

Time Value of Money

Matthew 6:19-20

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."

The theory of the time value of money teaches that money is more valuable now than it will be later. Jesus turns that on its head and teaches that the things of the future, of eternity, are so much more valuable than anything we could ever own on earth.

On top of that, Jesus also promises a return that, although delayed for a while, is 100% guaranteed [there are no heavenly recessions] and way, way exceeds any investment that you could ever put in. It's a genuine win-win situation!

As any financial adviser will tell you: the best time to start investing was 20 years ago; the second best time is right now. Invest your life into Jesus, into the Kingdom of Heaven and do it today.

The Shortfall

Romans 1:29-31
"They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy."

First thoughts when reading this:

• What horrid, wicked, all round bad people
• Surely God doesn't love them
• If there was a bursary program for hell, these guys would be sorted
• Definitely not me.

But as I read it over a couple times, I had a sinking feeling that maybe I'm not too far off from these people. And I'm sure as you go through this, you'll agree that we all really have fallen way, way short of the glory and holiness of God [Romans 3:23].

To The Left

Geoffrey Rush (Captain Barbosa in Pirates of the Caribbean) has a theory that people watch the screen from left to right, in the same way as they read a book. Therefore, when filming Pirates, he tried to be on the left side of the screen as often as possible, especially in scenes with Jack, the monkey, and Keira Knightley. He thought if he was on the right, people’s attention would get stuck on Jack and Keira’s beauty and charm and they wouldn't carry on to look at him. So he put himself on the left of the screen that people might notice him first.

Who’s on the left of your life? What’s the first thing that people notice about you? Is it your looks, your smile, your sarcasm, or your jokes? Maybe it’s the not so great stuff in your life like your pride, your language, or your lack of manners. 

And where’s Jesus at on the L-R scale of your life? Is He right there on the left, His beauty and charm capturing people’s attention the moment they meet you? Or is He somewhere over on the right, hidden in the corner, that very last thing you get to after everything else has been looked over?

Jesus needs be on the left, at the front, in the first place of our lives, so that people will see Him and come to know Him.

Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

As For You

2 Chronicles 15:7

"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."

Perhaps people around you are falling like flies. Wherever you turn you see heartache and discouragement. The good fight seems too hard; the journey ahead too long; the mountain in your way too big. The hurt in your heart cripples you and you're too exhausted to try again. You want to give up and lie down.

Jesus knows fully what you face and what you feel. And this is what the Lord says to you:
"But as for you [regardless of the people around you], be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."

In the next verse it says that when Asa heard these words, he took courage. I pray that you too find courage in the God who sees all things, and always rewards perfectly.

The Lord is with you. Be strong and do not give up.

Consecrate

2 Chronicles 5:11

"All the priests who were there had consecrated themselves, regardless of their divisions."

From the Chief High Priest to the new little rookie, ALL consecrated themselves. It wasn't about rank or status, but about each of them serving Yahweh, their Almighty God.

The word consecrate means to make holy, to set apart. It means living for God alone, dedicating your life to him. It requires you to be different to those around you, to sometimes say no when the world screams yes.

This scripture shows us that consecration is not just for the big cheese or the most important people. We, all together, are a royal priesthood [1 Peter 2:9] and are ALL called to consecrate ourselves to Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit [1 Peter 1:13-16].

Regardless of where you find yourself, you can live a life that is holy and pleasing to God [Romans 12:1-2]. And it can start right now.

Unchanging

Psalm 89:34

"I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered." 

In the midst of an ever-changing, uncertain world of hypocrisy and broken promises, there is a God who is constant, unchanging, faithful and true. 

He is Jesus.