(Post from Bobby)

So I’ve been preaching on the sermon on the mount and more specifically the Beautitudes as they’re are in Matthew 5. To hear promise after promise of Jesus and words of comfort, encouragement and so much more. What they all start with and are all tied to is this need to for us to empty ourselves of ourself. Our world drives into us that we need to ”pull ourselves up by the bootstraps”, ”look out for #1” and that our happiness/success and meaning in this life is tied to our own efforts. This, I have found, is a lie. Oh, we can find temporary happiness and fleeting joy with things or accomplishments of this world- but they do not last. Instead, we gain the ultimate prize by recognizing what matters most (or perhaps I should say WHO matters most)— that is Jesus. Our goal as believers is to clear out things in our lives that get in the way of what God wants to do in us and through us. We are to live in this world- but not to be of this world. We should live out each day with an eternal perspective and ask for the Holy Spirit to guide us in a desire to be less…..so He can be more in us. I”m reminded of the response from Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist when his disciples came to him sharing their concern because more people were going to Jesus to be baptized than to John. John replies, ”He must become greater; I must become less.” I believe with all my heart that if we trust in Christ enough to seek Him and to lay our lives at the altar—-that we can experience a life here on earth beyond anything we could imagine and experience these blessings He promises in this powerfully beautiful teaching.

This song isn’t a new one, but it’s one that’s been speaking to my heart and a wonderful reminder that all we need to do- is to turn to Him, to leave behind our past mistakes and allow Him to make us new.

Father God, Thank you for loving us enough to meet us right where we’re at, for never giving up on us and for your promises of a better life here and now as well as life forever with you!!! I love you. Amen

“Oh Come to the Altar” by Elevation Worship, covered by Bobby P.

“Humble yourself before the Lord and He will exalt you.” -James 4:10