The Upper Room Daily Devotional from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "HEAVENLY REWARDS" for Thursday, 2 June 2016 with Scripture Matthew 5:3-12

The Upper Room Daily Devotional from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "HEAVENLY REWARDS" for Thursday, 2 June 2016 with Scripture Matthew 5:3  “How blessed are the poor in spirit!
    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 “How blessed are those who mourn!
    for they will be comforted.
5 “How blessed are the meek!
    for they will inherit the Land![Matthew 5:5 Psalm 37:11]
6 “How blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness!
    for they will be filled.
7 “How blessed are those who show mercy!
    for they will be shown mercy.
8 “How blessed are the pure in heart!
    for they will see God.
9 “How blessed are those who make peace!
    for they will be called sons of God.
10 “How blessed are those who are persecuted
because they pursue righteousness!
    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “How blessed you are when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of vicious lies about you because you follow me! 12 Rejoice, be glad, because your reward in heaven is great — they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.
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Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.
Many organizations talk about the rewards of retirement. In Thailand, some organizations offer retirement pay, some honor the work you have done for the company in other ways. But the great reward of God is different.
Today’s reading tells us how our rewards are great in heaven. We can learn much about how God wants us to live from this passage. Verse three tells us that those who are humble before God and aware of their need for God’s grace will inherit God’s kingdom. We also learn that to be pure in heart is to be one with God and to live for God. Jesus ends by teaching us to be prepared to serve God by making peace in our communities and societies even when we face injustice or persecution.
God prepares a great reward in heaven for those who live their lives following the way of Jesus. As our quoted verse says, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.”
The Author: Prasartporn Tariyo (Chaing Mai, Thailand)
Thought for the Day: My reward in heaven is greater than any reward on earth.
Prayer: Loving God, help us believe and trust that you have prepared the way for our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Prayer focus: PEOPLE WHO ARE ANXIOUS ABOUT RETIREMENT

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