<p><span class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold">For Reading and Meditation:</span><br><span class="italic">     <span class="scriptRef" ref="1th+5:12-24">1 Thessalonians 5:12-24</span></span></p><p>Now that we have spent a few days meditating on the fact that the Beatitudes provide us with the right mental and spiritual attitudes for healthy and abundant living, we are ready to begin focusing on the first of these profound statements: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  (<span class="scriptRef" ref="mt+5:3">Matthew 5:3</span>). Some translations read, "Happy are the poor in spirit '", and one goes so far as to say, "Congratulations to the poor in spirit '" It is important to keep in mind that the word "happy" (Greek makarios) carries a far richer tone than we commonly attach to the word. It suggests a deep, abiding happiness, not just a temporary emotional lift. In the very first words of the Sermon on the Mount, therefore, Jesus puts His finger on one of life's most vital issues - individual and personal happiness. We all want to be happy - and rightly so. The longing for lasting happiness is a deep-rooted instinct that has been built into us by the Creator Himself. The God who made the sunset, painted the rose, put the smile on a baby's face, gave the gift of playfulness to a kitten and put laughter in our souls is surely not happy when we are unhappy. Although it is a God-given instinct to be happy, we must also see that it is only God who can make us happy. Apart from Him and His redemptive love as expressed through the cross and the resurrection, we would be "most miserable"  (<span class="scriptRef" ref="1co+15:19">1 Corinthians 15:19</span>, AV). As someone once confessed: "Now that I know Christ, I'm happier when I'm sad than before when I was glad." </p><p class="center-it italic bold mlr40 mtb20">Thank You, my Father, that You not only command me to be happy but provide me with the resources which make it gloriously possible. One touch of Your gladness and my heart sings for ever. I am so deeply, deeply thankful. Amen.</p><div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="ro+14:1-18">Romans 14:1-18</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="isa+12:3">Isaiah 12:3</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="joh+16:24">John 16:24</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="1pe+1:8">1 Peter 1:8</span></li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What is the kingdom of God?</li><li>What is this joy full of?</li></ul></div></div>

Let a little light into your soul every day with this wonderful devotional from English pastor Selwyn Hughes.

Every Day Light with Selwyn Hughes

"Be happy ' at all times." (v. 16, Phillips)

<p>He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.<br><br>Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. § Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.”<br><br>Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere … like the garden of the Lord … Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan … But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord. § [God] delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked … The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations. § Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.</p>

Daily Light on the Daily Path or Daily Light is a Christian daily devotional scripture reading published by Bagster & Sons about 1875. It has been reprinted continually since then. It consists of brief groupings of scripture passages which speak to prominent Biblical themes—two themes (morning and evening) for each day of the year. It appends no commentary, but simply allows scripture to speak for itself.

Evening Daily Light

 Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 

<p><span class="bible-text "> <sup class="verse-num ">4 </sup>Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?   To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. </span></p>

Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?<cr>1</cr>  To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

Romans 14:4

 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?   To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

From Wikipedia: 

The New International Version (NIV) is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1978 by Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society). The NIV was published to meet the need for a modern translation done by Bible scholars using the earliest, highest quality manuscripts available. Of equal importance was that the Bible be expressed in broadly understood modern English.

The NIV is published by Zondervan in the United States and Hodder & Stoughton in the UK. The NIV was updated in 1984 and 2011 and has become one of the most popular and best-selling modern translations.

OT: Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia; additional sources;
NT: UBS Greek New Testament; Novum Testamentum Graece; additional sources;

New International Version

 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?  To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

<p><span class="bible-text ">Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?   To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. </span></p>

 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?   To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

Bible Verse of the Day

April 17, 2020

Romans 14:4 NIV

Verse by Verse Bible Study

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