Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

This week's study is on the 2nd Beautitude, from Matthew 5:4, "Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted." 

Here, to "mourn" doesn't refer to mourning over the loss of a loved one. Rather, it means to mourn for your sin. It doesn't mean that you wallow in guilt and shame day after day. It means upon the conviction of the Holy Spirit, we don't harden our hearts to His voice and keep living the same way we have been. Instead, we let God touch our heart as we weep with genuine repentance. We mourn over the pain we have caused God by disobeying Him. This place of mourning leads us to repentance, which means to turn away from our sin. Sure, we will still make mistakes, but we will do our best to turn away from our sins and run to Jesus.

Here's the good news: When we mourn, we will be comforted by God! HELPS Word studies defines the word translated 'blessed' as "describing a believer in enviable position from receiving God's provisions which extend His grace". Let me give you an example. About a year ago, I found myself in a place of disobedience. I started compromising in seemingly small ways that led to bigger things. In a "slow fade", I was drifting away from God and His plan for my life. Thankfully, God wrecked what would have destroyed me. Once it was all over and I repented, what broke my heart the most was I had compromised in ways I didnt even realize until God delivered me from the situation. What's so amazing about that? God's response. I told Him I was sorry, turned away from my sin, and became more determined than ever to do things His way. You know what He did? He enveloped me in His love like never before-- despite the fact that I had failed Him. I broke His heart and He restored mine. He kept my best interest at heart when put Him on the back burner. He rescued me when I had denied Him in some ways. He protected me from a situation that would have been beyond horrible. He removed me from the situation, drew me into His arms, and said, " No. Not her. She's mine".

It took me a long time to forgive myself for the mistakes I made during that season. In fact, I think I'm just now beginning to one year later. I knew better and I couldn't get past that truth. However, you don't have to waste your time beating yourself up like I did. That doesn't earn your forgiveness. Jesus paid the price for all of our sins on the cross. Just forgive yourself like Jesus and move forward! I realize now that I'm human and I make mistakes, just like everyone else. But you know what? It won't be my last mistake. I wish it was. But as long as I'm alive, I'm never gonnA be perfect. The important thing is that we run back to God every time we mess up. We embrace His love, forgiveness, faithfulness, and move forward in His plan for our lives. We all fall but don't stay down, we get back up and get back to work doing what God has called us to do.

So, as I mourned for my sin, He comforted me and demonstrated His love for me in such a powerful way that I will never forget. I'm forgiven. I'm restored. I'm loved. And I've moved forward in His truly amazing grace. That's what this verse means when God says BLESSED are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Forever Blessed,

Rachel Marie

The Beatitudes

Hey yall. I know I've been MIA for a while. My health has not been good, but God has brought me a long way from where I was! I'm so grateful for that. I'm praying to be well enough to make more youtube videos soon. Go ahead and watch some you haven't seen yet from earlier this year: youtube.com/rachelmarieministrie . I have kept up with my instagram the most Go follow me over there: RachelMarieMinistries). I plan to start blogging more again starting with this series and I will also share some updates on my health when I am able. Typing is often a challenge because of the RSD pain in my hands. If you wanna know more about my recent health struggles, look under #RachelMariesStory on IG.

So I feel like the Lord is leading me to share The Beatitudes with yall from Jesus' sermon on the mount. With each post, I will share one verse of it along with a few thoughts to expand on the meaning. So the first one in this series is this:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

- Matthew 5:3 NIV

So what does "poor in spirit" really mean anyway? According to my study, "poor" speaks of a financial state as well as an humble attitude. After my study, I think the New Living Translation most accuratelty portrays the meaning of this verse: “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs."  Lack of money is definitely something that makes one look to God. However, I believe it goes even deeper than that. To be "poor in spirit" is a condition of the heart. It is a heart surrendered to the ways of God, full of humility, recognizing that without Him we are nothing and can do nothing. On the flip side, we know that with Christ, we are co-heirs and that we can do all things through Him. May we be truly surrendered to these truths today and every day.

Rachel Marie

Return

For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling,
- Isaiah 30:15 ESV
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This scripture is on my heart today. I don't know who this is for but whoever it is, I pray he/she will not harden your heart to the voice of the Lord any longer. I pray you will turn whole heartedly to the Lord. I feel such an urgency about this that asking for fellow believers receive this message to stop for a moment and pray this as well. God is reaching out to someone tonight. Is it you?

P.S. - Due to my illness I don't get to blog as much as I'd like. However, I post frequently on instagram so follow me there: @RachelMarieMinistries

Hey guys! So, it's been a while. And yes, I dyed my hair a lovely chocolate brown. I've been seriously ill as my health took a turn for the worst over the last 2 years, so I just recently improved enough to record videos and post online again. God is good all the time and all the time, God is good!
For the last 9 years, I've fought 3 life-threatening, debilitating diseases that you've probably never heard of. If you're curious, I have my diagnoses listed below & you can google them to learn more.

- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) - a heart condition

- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) - a pain disorder that the McGill Pain Index rates as more painful than non-terminal cancer, childbirth, finger or toe amputation, and more but you get the idea.

- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) - a connective tissue disease

Anyway, I wanted to let you all know I have some new videos on YouTube and Instagram: @RachelMarieMinistries. Go check them out! I hope you all have a very merry Christmas and remember that Jesus is the reason for the season :)

Are You Prepared For Your Journey?

We need to arise from our "slumber" and "feed" more on the Word of God, or the journey ahead will be too much for us. Without feeding on the Word of God daily, we will not have the strength to stand against temptation, to stand for Christ in these last days, to be an effective witness, or endure the trials we go through in life. Our strength, joy, and refreshment is found in our time alone with the Lord. We must diligently seek Him daily in prayer and in the Word. We make time for what is important to us. So, if your relationship with God is important to you, you will make time for Him. Remember, if you have time for social media, you have time to read your Bible.

- Rachel Marie

Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again. Then the angel of the LORD came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God.

- 1 Kings 19:3-8 NLT

Single this Valentine's Day?

Single this Valentine's Day? Don't be bitter. Celebrate God's Love for you. There's no greater love story than the cross. ❤️

- Rachel Marie

P. S. - Don't go out with a random just because you're lonely or emotional. Find your strength, contentment, and fulfillment in Christ. Trust Him. Wait on His Timing to reveal your love story to you. He's already written one for you, He just isn't ready to show it to you yet. Rest while your grow in your walk with Christ. 

"...And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

- Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

- Romans 8:38-39 NIV

"This is real love--not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins."

- 1 John 4:10 NLT

"Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires."

- Song of Solomon 3:5 NIV

Where Are Your Priorities?

This is statement by Michael Kendrick is so incredibly true. The more time you spend with God, the more time you will want to spend with Him. I know when you first commit to seeking God daily, it's a discipline. But in time, as you remain committed, you begin to look forward to, thoroughly enjoy, and thrive off of your time alone with God each day. It's like you can't function without it. And that's how we should view God, as a vital necessity, a priority and not an option. ❤️

- Rachel Marie

You can read the devotion by Michael Kendrick on spending time with God by following this link:

https://www.facebook.com/RachelMarieMinistries/posts/933487506706227:0