Finishing the meter check, the senior challenged the younger co-worker to a foot race down the alley back to their truck. As they came running up to the truck, they realize the lady from that last house was huffing & puffing right behind them. They stopped and asked her what was wrong. Gasping for breath, she replied, “When I saw two men from the gas company running as hard as you guys were, I figured I’d better run too!”

You must admit that’s an eye-roller! But for some reason, it made me think about the clash of kingdoms we have between good & evil — God & the Devil. Both are in hot pursuit of one main thing – your and my souls. It’s a race to see who will prevail with mere humans who are often clueless as to what’s really going on!

I recently read the Beatitudes again. The famous sermon was delivered by Jesus and recorded in the Book of Luke. The word beatitude comes from the Latin word meaning blessedness. Jesus repeats the phrase “blessed are” over and over – eight times total.

Up to that point, the Jewish people had been raised on long lists of strict rules taught by the Scribes through the law of Moses. But no one had ever been able to fulfill all the requirements of the law and obtain righteousness. Now, Jesus was taking these impossible laws – boiling them down to their truest essence – with promises of provision from God rather than judgment. The listeners were mesmerized. They could hear the truth in Jesus’s words – they could feel the difference.

Here are the first four Beatitudes: “You’re blessed when you’ve lost it all. God’s kingdom is there for the finding. You’re blessed when you’re ravenously hungry. Then you’re ready for the Messianic meal. You’re blessed when the tears flow freely. Joy comes with the morning. Count yourself blessed every time someone smears your name to discredit Me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort.” And the list continues . . . blessing after blessing!

Contrast those in the race for souls with the Devils beatitudes. Ohhh yeah – he has a list too. Here are just a few from his list: Blessed are those who are too tired or too busy to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians – they are my best workers. Blessed are those who are easily offended – they will soon get angry and quit. Blessed are those who are the complainers – I’m all ears to them. Blessed are those who do not give their offering to carry on God’s work – for they are my helpers. Blessed are you who, when you read this, think it’s about other people and not yourself – I’ve got you too!

The whole purpose of Jesus’s message was to offer a new way – revealed truth & everlasting life. Jesus was offering the seekers in his audience a glimpse of the power His Spirit could work through them. The Kingdom of Heaven was truly within their

grasp. Jesus showed them what it looked like so they would hunger for the freedom His salvation would bring! The truth is, there are two kingdoms and which one you eventually end up in is your choice!

There’s a fascinating story of Bishop Philip Brooks – author of “O, Little Town of Bethlehem.” When he was seriously ill, he requested no friends come to see him. But when an acquaintance of his – Robert Ingersoll, a famous a in right away. Ingersoll said “I appreciate this very much. Especially when you aren’t letting any of your close friends in to see you.”

Bishop Brooks responded, “Oh, I’m confident of seeing them in the next world, but this may be my last chance to see you!”

Choose your ‘blessings’ wisely ~    Selah!

Bob and Susan Beckett pastor The Dwelling Place City Church at 27100 Girard Street in Hemet, CA. For more information, you may contact them at DPCitychurch.org

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