“You are blessed when you get your inside world – mind and heart – put right…” Matthew 5:8 (MSG)
Today, the United States of America (USA) celebrates Thanksgiving Day both at home and abroad. In diplomatic circles and embassies across the world, cocktails and dinners are being hosted by ambassadors. But God is calling us as His ambassadors to apply His barometer of blessing for Kingdom access.
The sixth beatitude declares: “You’re blessed when you get your inside world – your mind and heart – put right. Then you can see God in the outside world” – Matthew 5:8 (MSG).
This is a call for a single-minded devotion to seeking God, or, as the teens would say, “locking into God.” When I consider this verse, it suggests a pivot from internal healing to external evangelism that will impact the world until eternity.
As we read previously, the first five beatitudes describe our blessings as we are healed from the inside. And only when we fix our inside world (heart and mindset) can we see God in the outside world. Remember, we are blessed to be a blessing, so we can:
- Show people how to cooperate – “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.” – Verse 9
- Stand in the face of persecution – “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom. Not only that – count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit Me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens – give a cheer, even! – for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.” – Verses 10 -12.
Today, pray and thank God for every blessing that He has given in our inside world so we can evangelise the outside world.
Read: Matthew 22:37; 2 Corinthians 5:20
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 29:1-9; 2 Peter 2; Daniel 3:13-30; Daniel 4:1-18
