Blog
Weekly posts from pastor Jay Johnston to encourage, educate, and equip you with lessons from the Scriptures
Blessed are the Pure in Heart
Purity of the heart is more than moral discipline; it reflects the heart's desire to live in harmony with God. It signifies surrender and undivided devotion to Him.
Blessed are the Merciful
Jesus calls us to practice mercy in our relationships with others. Offering mercy is a decision of the heart that motivates us to be kind, gentle, and merciful, even toward people who don’t deserve it.
Blessed are those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
Hunger and thirst are signs that emphasize a deep longing. Jesus calls us to hunger for righteousness, promising that we will be satisfied.
Blessed are the Meek
In our world today, we find people telling others to be stern and forceful, believing it's acceptable to step on others as they ascend what they perceive to be the ladder of success. Those who exhibit meekness are often misunderstood and considered weak.
Blessed are Those Who Mourn
During our second week of meditating on the Beatitudes, we focus on the meaning of being “poor in spirit.” Mourning is often viewed as a weakness in our world, and in the fast-paced lives we live, many do not take the time to mourn.
Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Matthew 5:3 dares us to deal with an important reality: the emptiness of our own life and relationship with God. It's about admitting our limitations and that we cannot work our way into His kingdom by our own efforts.
Get to Know the Beatitudes
The Beatitudes list the attributes of those who are children of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 5:11-12). We are called to seek humility, mercy, and righteousness and challenged to reorient ourselves from worldly values to those of God.
A Prayerful Heart of Gratitude
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4
Praying for the Church
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Don't Give Up
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Hope in Jesus
We live in a world full of uncertainty; it's so easy to become overwhelmed and anxious. Yet Romans 15:13 reminds us of where our hope originates: Jesus Christ.