today's reading: Luke 8:40 - 9:6
(to continue through the New Testament in One Year)

Luke 8:40-9:6

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman

⁴⁰ Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. ⁴¹ Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house ⁴² because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. ⁴³ And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years,^[a] but no one could heal her. ⁴⁴ She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
⁴⁵ “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
⁴⁶ But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
⁴⁷ Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. ⁴⁸ Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
⁴⁹ While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”
⁵⁰ Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”
⁵¹ When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. ⁵² Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”
⁵³ They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. ⁵⁴ But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” ⁵⁵ Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. ⁵⁶ Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

9 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, ² and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. ³ He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. ⁴ Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. ⁵ If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” ⁶ So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.

Footnotes:

1. Luke 8:43 Many manuscripts years, and she had spent all she had on doctors

March 30
Holy Saturday....
This day marks time between the death and resurrection of Jesus.
The disciples and others who knew Jesus must have been crushed and confused by what had just taken place!
One day the crowds were cheering and proclaiming "Hosanna~s".
And the next day, they were yelling "CRUCIFY HIM!!!!!"

The followers of Jesus loved Him and even though they didn't fully understand His Lordship, they did believe Him to be the long awaited Messiah.
I can not imagine their state of shock after seeing their beloved Jesus suffer and die such a terrible death.
Would they have sat together weeping until exhaustion set in?
Would the friends and neighbors have gathered to bring them food........trying to get them "just to eat something" ?
Or would they have been out of their minds with fear that those who had done this to their Jesus, would soon be coming for them?
Knowing that these followers were men and women, like you and me, I believe we can know that they suffered the same kind of grief that you and I would suffer in this circumstance.
LIfe shattering , all consuming....grief.
But.... what was Jesus doing during this time "after the cross, but before the glorious resurrection"?
He wasn't just lying dead in the tomb, waiting to be raised up to life on the third day.
Scripture tells us that He was proclaiming truth to others who were dead.
I thought the following notes were interesting and wanted to share them with you today as food for thought....
But no matter what, beloved friends, don't despair at the sadness of the bible accounts of these days we are remembering....
Keep the Joy of the Lord in your hearts!
And remember.... that majestic and marvelous RESURRECTION SUNDAY is right around the corner!
Be sure to attend a worship service to celebrate this life changing day in the life of our faith!
A day of promise fulfilled........for YOU!

The following notes are from the website: 
http://carm.org/christianity/christian-doctrine/ 
(Christian Apologetics Research Ministry)
1 Pet. 3:18-20,

"For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, 20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water."

2 Pet. 2:4-5,

"For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly."

Eph. 4:8-10

"When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men. 9 Now this expression, 'He ascended,' what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things...

Some theologians believe that during the three days between Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, He descended into Abraham's bosom (Luke 16:19-31),3 proclaimed to them the mystery of the gospel, and then led them into heaven to dwell with God. The belief is that they were not permitted to enter into the presence of God in heaven until after the atonement. Once that had happened, Jesus, who had died, descended to Abraham's bosom, proclaimed the gospel, and then led its residents into heaven.
So, even though we cannot precisely determine where Jesus was and what He did during those three days, it seems apparent that He presented the gospel message (not to have them get saved) to those in spirit prison and possibly also to those in Abraham's bosom.

• 1. Jamieson, Robert, A.R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.), 1998.
• 2. Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.), 1983, 1985.
• 3. Abraham's bosom seems to have been the pre-crucifixion holding place for those people who had died in expectant hope of the coming Messiah.

Good Friday

Today is a most holy day in the life of a follower of Jesus Christ.
What happened to the Savior is beyond comprehension; that One who healed the sick and the blind, cast out demons to enable children to live normal lives after years of torment, set captives free from their "dead end" lives of sin and degradation...
That this One could be so hated and maligned by those whom He came to save.... is hard to fathom.
And yet..... it is Truth.
Just as the prophets of God foretold from ancient biblical times, so it was done.
I hope you will take time to ponder the "good" of Good Friday today, and throughout this weekend.
Think deeply about what it all means for YOU and for your family.

There is nothing on this earth that is more important than a real relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord.
If you have not yet asked Him to forgive you of your sins and set you free from whatever might hold you back, please do it today!
It only takes a simple prayer from you, talking directly to God.

"Father, I realize that I am a sinner....
I can't be clean enough or good enough on my own to enter your Kingdom.
Please forgive me for all the wrong things I have done in my life.
Help me to learn to truly love You
Thank you for sending your One and OnlySon Jesus Christ to take my place on that cross....
I want to live for you from now on, Jesus.
I belong to you! Amen"

If you prayed that prayer earnestly from your heart, the Lord has heard you and has saved you and set you free!
You are a child of God! Sealed in Him forever!
Bless you today and always/


 

March 29

Luke 8:22-39

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Calms the Storm

²² One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. ²³ As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
²⁴ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. ²⁵ “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man

²⁶ They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes,^[a] which is across the lake from Galilee. ²⁷ When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. ²⁸ When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” ²⁹ For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.
³⁰ Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. ³¹ And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.
³² A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. ³³ When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
³⁴ When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, ³⁵ and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. ³⁶ Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. ³⁷ Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.
³⁸ The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, ³⁹ “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.
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vs.25: Where is MY faith when the water is up to my neck?
vs.37: Would my community be disappointed if an entire industry was destroyed because of spiritual revival? Or even one person made whole?
vs.39: Can I apply this to myself today? to my family? to my town?
This account in biblical history always amazes me! '
Can you even imagine how the loss of these folks entire herd of pigs would effect them?
Anger, fear, outrage, apprehension, dismay might all be expected when a single event causes such loss.

Sudden losses of our livelihood happen today, don't they?
Severe weather certainly is a cause, and many other disasters such as fire or accidents  can come down on us quickly and always without warning.
We feel that whole gamat of emotion in these times.
What keeps us going when we seem to lose everything?

Only by staying close to the Lord Jesus, can one stand the losses that come our way.
He will hold you when you just cant hold on any longer.
He will guide you through to a better place.
Stay close to Him, tell everyone about His faithfulness to you in those hard times, and know that no matter what may come your way, Our dear Savior, Jesus Christ, will never leave you or forsake you!

March 28

Luke 8:4-21

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: ⁵ “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. ⁶ Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”
When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
⁹ His disciples asked him what this parable meant. ¹⁰ He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,

“‘though seeing, they may not see;
though hearing, they may not understand.’^[a]

¹¹ “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. ¹² Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. ¹³ Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. ¹⁴ The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. ¹⁵ But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

A Lamp on a Stand

¹⁶ “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. ¹⁷ For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. ¹⁸ Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

¹⁹ Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. ²⁰ Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”
²¹ He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
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vs5-12: Do I listen casually when truth is being spoken, so that I can easily move on to the next thing, forgetting what i have heard?

vs. 13: Or, do I hide the truth in my heart, protecting it with prayer and contemplation, so that when testing comes, the truth will not be stolen?

It is just too easy in today's world,  to be consumed with our lifestyle, pursuing more and more material things, seeking more and more pleasure, so that the truth can not grow in our hearts. We don't have time for the study and perseverance that it takes for God's truth to take root in us.
But to grow in faith is EVERYTHING! No material gain will have meaning if we don't cultivate a life of faith...believing in the Lord for all that we have and all that we are.
Study the Word of God, the Bible, to find His truth.
Meditate on His Word, and let it become deeply rooted in your heart!
Knowing those Bible Truths will help you through every hard time.
and that is TRUTH you can depend on!
 

March 27

Luke 7:36-8:3

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

³⁶ When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. ³⁷ A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. ³⁸ As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
³⁹ When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
⁴⁰ Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
⁴¹ “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,^[a] and the other fifty. ⁴² Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
⁴³ Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
⁴⁴ Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. ⁴⁶ You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. ⁴⁷ Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
⁴⁸ Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
⁴⁹ The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
⁵⁰ Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

The Parable of the Sower

8 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, ² and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; ³ Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

Footnotes:

1. Luke 7:41 A denarius was the usual daily wage of a day laborer (see Matt. 20:2).

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I love this story of the woman with the alabaster jar, pouring the precious perfume out on the feet of Jesus and wiping it off with her hair.
Even more precious is the response the Lord gave the Pharisee when he was thinking judgementally about the woman and her actions.
We have "that kind" of Savior!
He knows me completely.........every wicked thought, every selfish action, every harsh word I have spoken.......
And yet, He loves me completely..............
He was willing to suffer and die to save me, in spite of myself.
How can I live to honor that magnificent love?
I want to spend every bit of my life serving Him.......pouring out myself............to give Him back everything He has given me........trying to bless others with the blessings He has given me.

March 26

Luke 7:11-35

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son

¹¹ Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. ¹² As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. ¹³ When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”
¹⁴ Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” ¹⁵ The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
¹⁶ They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” ¹⁷ This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

Jesus and John the Baptist

¹⁸ John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, ¹⁹ he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
²⁰ When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”
²¹ At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. ²² So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy^[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. ²³ Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
²⁴ After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ²⁵ If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. ²⁶ But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ²⁷ This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’^[b]

²⁸ I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

²⁹ (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. ³⁰ But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
³¹ Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? ³² They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:

“‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not cry.’

³³ For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ ³⁴ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ ³⁵ But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

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What do you really want from a Savior ?

Do you want a magic "genie in a bottle" kind of Savior? One who will grant all your requests for fame and fortune?

Do you want a "bank teller" Savior? One who will hand out money whenever you decide to step up to the window?

Do you want an "extreme makeover" Savior? One who will make every part of your home and life absolute perfection?

Do you want a "rich uncle who lives far away and stays out of your business" kind of Savior?

He's out there somewhere, but doesn't pay much attention to your life unless you need something big.... then he comes through with exactly what you desire?

 

The Lord Jesus Christ  is the kind of Savior who came from Heaven to earth for you!

He came because He has the same love for you that we see him showing to the widow, by raising up her dead son.

He shows you His love with every breath you take. He is the maker of the air you breathe!

In every moment of your life, you are shown compassion.....mercy and grace.

Grace is "unmerited favor". What have you done lately to deserve favor from the Almighty God? How are you living your life that He would want to show you favor at all?

We can do nothing but learn to love Him.

He desires a relationship with us......a very intimate relationship.

So, again, what do you want from a Savior?

 Are you "in it" just for a ticket to Heaven?

......... or will you give yourself to this One and Only Begotten Son who gave His life to save you from your sin, kind of Savior.......He waits for you with open arms, no matter who you are, where you come from , how many mistakes you make, loving you through it all... giving you strength, peace, and eternal life........He's THAT KIND of Savior! 

 

 

 

MARCH 25

Luke 6:39-7:10

TREASURE

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

³⁹ And He also spoke a parable to them: “A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit? ⁴⁰ A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher. ⁴¹ Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? ⁴² Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. ⁴³ For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. ⁴⁴ For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. ⁴⁵ The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

Builders and Foundations

⁴⁶ “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? ⁴⁷ Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: ⁴⁸ he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. ⁴⁹ But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant

7 When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum.

² And a centurion’s slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die. ³ When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders asking Him to come and save the life of his slave. ⁴ When they came to Jesus, they earnestly implored Him, saying, “He is worthy for You to grant this to him; ⁵ for he loves our nation and it was he who built us our synagogue.” ⁶ Now Jesus started on His way with them; and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof; ⁷ for this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁸ For I also am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” ⁹ Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, “I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.” ¹⁰ When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
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Lord, help me to make sure that the treasure of my heart will bring blessing to other people who need to know and understand you.
Help me to always be ready to share the testimonies of what you have done for me, with people who need to see your faithfulness.
OH, Lord, help me to be really sensitive to the messages You are revealing to me by your Word, and by biblical teaching.
I want to understand when you want me to call someone who may be hurting or in some other kind of need.
I want to know when you are moving me to
........... comfort, teach, lead, share with, feed, clothe, offer transportation, donate money, spend time with someone who is lonely, encourage, pray over...... any person who needs a touch from You.
Help me to eagerly pass on the treasures that you place in my heart, Lord.


 

March 24

Luke 6:12-38

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Choosing the Twelve

¹² It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. ¹³ And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles: ¹⁴ Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James and John; and Philip and Bartholomew; ¹⁵ and Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot; ¹⁶ Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
¹⁷ Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place; and there was a large crowd of His disciples, and a great throng of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon, ¹⁸ who had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured. ¹⁹ And all the people were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all.

The Beatitudes

²⁰ And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. ²¹ Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. ²² Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. ²³ Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets. ²⁴ But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. ²⁵ Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. ²⁶ Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way.
²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹ Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. ³¹ Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. ³² If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. ³³ If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. ³⁵ But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. ³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
³⁷ “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. ³⁸ Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
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Be Blessed 
The Lord expects us to make some difficult choices......things like:
being glad when we are treated unfairly because of our faith in God.
loving our enemies.
praying for people who treat us badly
not trying to get things back from those who take from us.
lending, expecting nothing in return.
************ It all seems to go against the grain of normal thinking, doesn't it?
Ah, but that is the secret.....it is NOT normal thinking!
It is supernatural thinking. Thinking given to those who have the mind of Christ.
As believers, we must cultivate our thinking to match that of our Savior.
Only then, can we make those difficult choices from a pure heart that is seeking to do things the Lord's way.
 And then we will be blessed!