Righteousness!

For Thursday, January 12, 2023:

Matthew 5:6 NIV: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Jesus is blessing those in his audience that day. When they came to hear the Savior speak, they were in pursuit of righteousness! Jesus will fill them!

We see believers hungering after or intently pursuing many things, such as power, wealth and earthly happiness. But how many hunger and thirst for righteousness? We should pray, “Lord, let me live the way you want me to live. Let me diligently execute the plans you have for me.”

Spurgeon writes, “Oh, that my nature could be changed, so that I, the lover of sin, could be made a lover of that which is good; that I, now full of evil, could become full of holiness!”

Have you ever been really hungry and thirsty? I mean, totally starved! Jesus used this analogy because many of his followers had to forage for food daily. Most of us, probably not. Jesus promised to fill those searching for righteousness with as much as they could consume. It’s a curious filling that both satisfies us yet still keeps us longing for more!

Food is life. Righteousness is eternal life!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Give What You Have

June 13, 2011 Monday Message:

“I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have.” Acts 3:6a

The Holy Spirit filled Simon-Peter and the other believers on the day of Pentecost. Next, our impulsive Apostle preached the story of how Jesus fulfilled all prophecy, and as he spoke, the message was miraculously understood in all languages.

Challenged to make a decision, the listeners asked, “Brothers, what should we do?” They were told to repent and return to the Lord, and 3000 came forward and were baptized that day.

After such a day, what could be next? How about healing a man who had been lame from birth? As Peter and John entered the Temple, they passed a beggar who asked them for money. Peter answered, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you, but I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

Peter took the man’s hand, helped him to his feet, and instantly he was restored. Not just a little bit healed, but all the way healed! The man took off, leaping through the Temple and praising God to everyone!

Nowadays, people in need often turn to churches for help. Like the lame man, these people ask for money or food, and yes, we try to supply those things. Like Peter, we may not always have silver or gold. But we are called to pour out what we DO have: love modeled after Jesus, peace that passes all understanding and true friendship. People who ask for help need Jesus as much as they need food. And they’re longing for community, a sense of belonging. Like the Apostle, we are called to reach out our hand and help them to their feet.

If you’ve been filled with the Living Water, you can pour some of it for others! Therefore go…

Norton Lawellin