What a week it has been.....There seems to be a whole lot stirring in my spirit.  All the while I'm praying "Come quickly Lord."  Each day is a little more disheartening as you allow yourself to be beat up by an angry and bitter world.

These are some of the headlines I've scanned this week:

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/09/20/growing-boycott-against-retail-chain-hobby-lobby-after-lawsuit-against-health/?intcmp=trending

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/09/20/texas-high-school-bans-religious-banners-at-football-games/?intcmp=trending

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/09/20/obama-cant-change-washington-from-inside/


http://video.foxnews.com/v/1845664044001/?intcmp=obnetwork



http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/09/20/protesters-in-pakistan-clash-with-police/


and last but not least today's announcement of Chickfila....

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/chick-fil-gives-another-statement-amid-gay-marriage-002844364--finance.html



I'm thankful I have spiritual truths to lay back on, a foundation, a rock, a savior, a deliverer.

When I look at these headlines and scan each one I find a lot of half truths.  I'm sorry I didn't post any from different sources.  I chose Fox News and posted some of the headlines. You can research the stories as you see fit.  The point with all these different headlines is to say that our world lives in a state of chaos. 
We once had a former terrorist( now found Jesus) speaker at our church.  He said "when you look at the middle east you see...MESS"  Who is usually in the midst of mess....

Author of confusion, author of hate, author of pride, author of sin. 

We can get caught up in this mess. I know I find myself discouraged in this mess. We certainly live in a world that rejects God's truths.

Here is a bit of God's truths we have been studying in a Wed night Spiritual growth seminar. 

The Beatitudes

3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,t
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,t
for they will be satisfied.7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about yout and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.
12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the

Teaching about Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Teaching about the Law

17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.
19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

Teaching about Anger

21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’t
22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone,t you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot,t you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone,t you are in danger of the fires of hell.t23 “So if you are presenting a sacrificet at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,
24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison.

I absolutely love the teaching here.  As our Pastor Mike explains, Moses gave us the ten commandments and those are to live by but Jesus came to give this purpose. (meaning) The Beatitudes is an extension of the Ten Commandments. 

Under teaching about Anger is says your ancestors (Moses) said we must not murder but Jesus took it a bit further and says if you commit it in your heart you are guilty of committing it.

(sorry for copy paste of bible...lots of extra t's)

I skip down to verse 43....

Teaching about Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’t and hate your enemy.44 But I say, love your enemies!t Pray for those who persecute you!45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.47 If you are kind only to your friends,t how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.

48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

 

 

Maybe the point of this blog. Love those who wrong you, those you see as enemies, those you see as people who want nothing but destruction brought down upon you.  We are to be kind and loving towards them. They are hurting.

 

I tell my daughter this all the time.  If kids are calling you names, saying something hateful, it's usually because they are hurting and miserable inside.  They want you to suffer alongside of them and be just as miserable. But it's our job to remain calm, have Jesus take over and speak in love or turn the other cheek.  They will never understand it and maybe they will inquire and want what you have and find Jesus.

 

Remember if there are those you are arguing with over politics, over a job that's available, over peace in your own home. Love them. Jesus says pray for those who persecute you. Be different than the world. Don't follow the world's ways of doing things. It leads to destruction.

 

When you follow his ways peace will come. But don't discount the hardships for they build your character.  Whatever you want and struggle with God will make a way when there is no way. You have to believe it.

 

Remember love those who may not be that lovable!  We all need a little hope.

 

God's word is truth. Find your truth there.