One writer’s humble interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5: 3-11

By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC

Blessed are those who see their significance in God’s sight, while forsaking the need to be seen as significant in the eyes of others. These are people of peace who walk circumspectly within God’s Kingdom.

Blessed are those who mourn over having sinned as their hearts will find great joy through God’s forgiveness granted through Jesus’ everlasting redemption.

Blessed are those who do not need to have their own way, but rather dwell gently in kindness having their spirits sweetened through prayerfully seeking, “Thy will be done, dear Lord.”

Blessed and completely satisfied are those who thirst being in right-standing with God . . . knowing He watches over us wholeheartedly.

Blessed are those who show mercy to others, letting go judgment of them—for in return God’s grandest of all merciful favor will be theirs.

Blessed are those who keep their hearts clean, based on ever seeking right standing with God–for this opens the inner eyes and ears to the voice of the Almighty.

Blessed are those who seek peace within relationships and extend peace to those who are not kind and gracious within heated moments. This is an indication of being one with God’s sons and daughters.

Blessed are you when reviled or persecuted for choosing to live righteously and stand firm on the truth of God’s love for all. For living a moral life courageously exhibits your walk within the Kingdom of God, filled with peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

And as for our worries, Jesus said in Matthew 6: 27, “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” Then in Matthew 6, verse 31, He said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Here is the “how to do this” given to us through the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”’

About the author: Joy Le Page Smith is a Board certified clinical chaplain. Her articles and blogs are read in up to-32 countries. Joy’s four books are available on her home page at Healing-with-Joy.com where readers can view FREE her children’s book titled, The Little Mountain Goat Who Was Afraid of High Places.

By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA

I ordered a coffee table from Amazon for our backyard patio that has LED. What fun imagining a coffee table that can provide a light show while sipping the brew.

Soon a big box was at our door. A friend helped Gary put it together. Wow! It took them no time at all to have the table in one piece versus seven. Trouble came when they turned the LED part over to me.

At first I thought, “Hum. This looks straightforward . . . every word was written in five other languages . . . Ignore that. I have an image to preserve—I can do this.”

A problem arose as I looked at the pictures of electrical parts, wiring and— oops—maybe something is missing, here. The drawings showed a laptop and a small rectangular device I figured to be a smart phone. I thought, “Interesting. The table lights will run off a PC or smartphone, or a tablet.” Fine. My little tablet is well encased. It can serve well outside perpetually. No weather worries.

Now the dilemma is what kind of cord has a USB adapter on one end with an opposite end that will accommodate my tablet. Searching through my box of cords with varied ends—nothing could be found to bring together the table’s USB cord and my tablet. No marriage could be arranged.

I called the table’s manufacturer and reached a person named “Grace” who cared very much about my concern that a part was missing—maybe a cord? What, with “Grace” and “Joy” involved, all should be possible? She retrieved an instruction book for the table, yet it did not match mine. I then emailed Grace the pictures I was seeing in my booklet. Both of us were determined to figure this out. Yet, after three phone calls and two emails I decided to call my friend Rich who is close by—and superbly enriched with technical knowledge. He and I talked “cord talk” for a while. Then I emailed pictures to him of the ends of the cords I had on hand plus a picture of the LED wiring for the table.

A moment or two passed. Then Rich said, “Have you tried using a wall plug?”

What? A wall plug. Wait. Let me cogitate . . . I was muttering internally as light was reaching the upstairs of my noggin. “Do you mean all I have to do is plug that USB into the wall?”

Now I’m howling. Too funny to believe. I was stuck on “a missing cord” or “adapter of some kind” that could fit one of the digital devices pictured in the instructions–making it way too hard. My mental fog was so thick I was missing the mighty power source, so readily available–yet, out of sight!

Isn’t this true in life? We want to get things done—reach our capacity and live it with all the digital finery we can bring to our lives. We are about achieving and creating a destiny that fits who we are and what we enjoy. Alongside that lays an available “instruction book”—the Bible—presenting all that is needed for the eternal part of ourselves. It is almost too handy.

So many things clamor in our minds for attention . . . making it hard for us to value the greatest of all power sources . . . God, the Creator of all, aiming to be the light of our lives supplying all the power we will ever need—plus making life much simpler.  “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit,” (Romans 15:13).

About the author: Joy Le Page Smith is a Board certified clinical chaplain. Her articles and blogs are read in 32 countries. Joy’s four books are available on her home page at Healing-with-Joy.com where readers can view her children’s book titled, The Little Mountain Goat Who Was Afraid of High Places.

Head shot of a barking owl, ninox connivens, called the winking owl.

 By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC

Earth’s creatures—our teachers?

Watching rabbits in our yard, here in Arizona where my husband Gary and I have lived for 30-some years, has been a pleasure–plus, a bit of a learning experience. They are both wise and not so wise: dumb bunnies. They do like sneaking into gardens. Not caring about the ramifications of their actions.

It is fun to watch them chase each other and jump both high and low, perhaps for the effect this may have on the opposite sex.

It would be interesting to know if animals, both large and small, are aware of God’s presence on the earth. During early evenings, rabbits are frequently sitting still in the shade of a bush or a tree with eyes closed. Seems they may be meditating. Or, simply enjoying some quiet time, while sensing the goodness of “Presence.” Surely God loves and enjoys His dear rabbits as much as He enjoys us.

Is that a new idea? Have you not felt God’s good pleasure on your soul? A warmth between your shoulders during moments when you felt “all’s well in the world?”

It takes finding a safe place with the right timing to be quiet enough to lift one’s soul into the presence of Almighty God . . . then to feel that beam from heaven. Are we willing to take time aside to enjoy “relationship” with the One who surely holds purpose for our lives?

Our yard is large with lots of trees and bushes that often carry beautiful flowers. We don’t have a dog and our children are raised so this piece of God’s Paradise has become an animal preserve for rabbits, coyotes, roadrunners, and quail. And, don’t forget the “nuisancing” effects of all the lizards who leave their “holey” evidence. Birds, bees and butterflies all speak of God’s goodness. For surely it is evident here on terra firma that each plays a role toward keeping nature’s balance as pertains to long standing ecological homeostasis.

Back to the inward quiet side of ourselves: Is it about time for doing more of it? Joy can roll through the soul when stillness of body and soul takes over our beingness for long moments. Basking in the truth that God’s plan includes many forms of life, much of which brings pure joy to us  . . . when we take time to watch for it.

“Peace be still” were Jesus’ words during a storm on troubled waters (Mark 4:39, American Standard Bible.)

Author info.:

Joy Le Page Smith is a board certified clinical chaplain. View — FREE — her children’s book, The Little Mountain Goat Who Was Afraid of High Places, at healing-with-Joy. com. Multiple helps can also be found on her website, prepared for people who are struggling for varied reasons. 

Donations are accepted and appreciated wholeheartedly when God puts it on your heart. See home page “Donations” option.

Please know there are over a hundred helpful articles –FREE–for people who are struggling with varied difficulties at healing-with-Joy.com

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By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC

Sometimes within my work as a chaplain there is as much humor as there is sadness. Some questions are expected, yet others can pin my soul right to the wall.

For some my visit is a time when, in different ways and words, they want to know if they can trust me. They sometimes think a church has sent me to see them.  So the first question asked is often, “What church do you go to?” I tell them that I am a Board-certified clinical chaplain, not sent to their bedside from a local church. Then, I assure them that within our conversation, “All faiths (or lack of it) are honored.”

Then, I ask, “Would you like to talk about why you are here and how this illness is affecting your life?” This starts a conversation allowing us to get to know one another a bit more. At times they open up and talk about their fears regarding their health and the uncertainties involved with illness. I take this opportunity to ask, “Within life, what helps you when hard things happen?”

It is obvious that many people have faith in God and pray.  Others want to ask questions about the fact they would like to believe the Bible, or in God, yet can’t get past certain questions they have. Occasionally, this conversation will find the person asking how they can prepare their souls since death may come next. They want to know how to be ready for that next step, realizing quite fully that no one gets out of here alive.

A given is that God is holy and often our lives are “not so holy.” So, the first step in coming to God in prayer normally finds us humans wanting to be forgiven so our souls “can warrant a conversation with Almighty God.” The “sinner’s prayer,” when people are willing to say it, often brings a flood of relief, even great joy. An abundance of tears are sometimes seen. These are not tears of sadness, but of a joy that arises when a person senses that God is real—and really there for them. They realize the Holy Spirit has entered their lives. It can be a powerful event when people respond to the “knock” heard at heart’s door resulting in a “yes” for Jesus Christ to enter in—intending for Him to guide their lives.

Recently, while with a patient, I was asked some hard questions: such as, “Who created God?” I explained that God is beyond science.  Rather, God is about faith. When a person asks for God’s Holy Spirit to cleanse their heart and forgive them, a journey of faith begins. Freedom from guilt and shame over past behaviors creates inner peace. While hearing and reading the Scriptures, answers come to one’s heart bringing joy and assurance.

Still, there are mysteries to be pondered. For instance, a question about the “trinity” came up recently. This person asked, “How can God be both Father and Son at the same time, plus include a third person—the Holy Spirit?”

I admitted there is lots to be said about this, but boldly extended my version, saying, “Think of us humans as having a body, a mind and a soul (spirit). Majorly as humans we are different from God. He is omnipotent– all-powerful. God has no limits. So God can be three persons at once, each being able to act separately, while still being One.

Another question that also troubles people at times is “Why did God have to send his son to die on the cross ‘for our sins?’ ’’ Ultimately this is a matter covered well in Hebrew 2: 9-12, “. . . according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.”

The sacrificing of animals was a ritual practiced since the beginning of time. Sin is innate for the human soul—and tenacious. Yet, out of love for us, Jesus came to shed His blood for us, thus providing a covering for the sins of all who place their trust in Him. So, it was out of the greatest of all loves that God’s plan provided the means for freeing us from our sins.

Verse 12 assures us that “. . . it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” We have only to ask for the Lord Jesus to cover our sins, acknowledging Him as our Lord. He becomes our Savior once we believe in Him and receive Him as our Savior, which grants us the right and the power to become a child of God. Therefore, after death, we are granted eternal life with Him.

***

Please consider extending my Home page to family members and friends who are struggling with grief, life adjustment, or on a search for spiritual care. The website is filled with “Helps.”  Free for copying and sharing.

By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith

Yesterday, after reading more about the war initiated by Russian president, Vladimir Putin, I asked God, “How should I pray about this?” The war is non-comprehensive and incalculable. I, like most people, have felt helpless to make a difference.

Immediately, after saying that prayer an image of a vast, white net encircling the globe was seen in my mind’s eye. I knew instantly this worldwide net represented God’s people. People throughout the entire world in whom goodness and truth resides. A huge amount of people on earth want peace and goodness to flourish throughout the earth. The majority, most likely! We are globally present and we are connected! The love of God’s goodness, alive in our consciences, Scriptural truth, and the power of prayer connects us continuously!

Imagine the power we actually have! Now, let’s use our power. Every day—as often as it comes to mind—let’s lift up our hearts and pray as we think of this worldwide “net” of people who want God’s will to win over Putin’s war.

At the time of Christ’s birth, these are the words sang by the angels “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”

Pray with me, or pray in your own words.

“In Jesus’ name, we stand against all evil powers that attempt to thwart God’s will for peace and goodwill. God’s will be done, here on this earth which He has created. Satan’s murderous plan is bound and cast out as we speak within the power God has given to His people! Amen.”

This is putting our FAITH to work. The Internet is a tool that is available for sending the message to WEB contacts, as many as you wish. It only takes the investment of a few minutes–and could spread worldwide. 

What we have is God’s people worshiping in churches all over the world seemingly separate like postage-stamps, unable to perceive the vast empowerment of our connectedness through the Holy Spirit of God that is in each and every one of us.

—

What if: Think of the possibility our Father in heaven is wanting us, His children, to break out of our separateness and become united in prayer as a family. Could it be that is when He will to call out the angels and trumpet bearers so He can send His Son. Jesus promised to come again to the earth at His Father’s nod. 2 Peter 3:3, instructs us to know “scoffers will come in the last days walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming?’ As they point to the fact two thousand years have passed since the Lord’s promise to return a second time. Verse 8, speaks soundly, “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day.” With God “time” does not exist. What is real is stated in verse 9: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Billions upon billions of people within our generation and generations before us for two thousand years have found intimacy with God through Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit. As children of God, we can celebrate common truths of Scripture.

The book of John, chapter 1, verses 1-3 and verse 14, tells us who Jesus is.

The book of John, chapter 3, verse 16, tells why Jesus came to the earth.

The book of John, chapter 3, verse 17, shows God’s reason for sending Jesus to the earth.

The book of John, chapter 1, verses 10-13, tells us what makes a person “a child of God.”

The Book of Revelations, Chapter 3, verse 20, confirms the “how” of our hearing God’s call to enter into fellowship with Him:

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Nothing can prevent us Christians from seeing our “connectedness” and lifting their voices in unison!

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