My two previous blogposts express the importance of integrity and truth. I want to add another character trait that Jesus lifts up as important for every child of God.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5

Meek? Really? We don’t use this word very often and it only shows up in the Bible a total of four times. How significant is this characteristic of the Kingdom of God? Very.

Before, I share with you the importance of incorporating meekness into your life, let me define the word for you.

Meekness relates to gentleness or having a mild disposition. Being meek towards God means to surrender and submit to God’s will without grumbling or complaining.

In a lot of ways, meekness is a polar opposite of self-interest and arrogance.

Jesus said that God’s favor rests on those who are gentle and fully submitted to God. People who possess that trait will be leaders in God’s Kingdom.

This reflects what King David wrote about in Psalm 37. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. Psalm 37:11

There is a promise associated with meekness. That those who are gentle and perceived to be weak by the self-interested and arrogant will one day be “calling the shots.”

I don’t know about you, but I have very little time or energy for those who think they are more important than others and are loudly arrogant about their superiority.

I am weary of those who need to brag and think they are the smartest people in the room. When I think about the words of Jesus, I realize people like that are far from God. It’s more than their spiritual distance from God, they have no interest in a true abiding relationship with Jesus.

Remember what Jesus said about such people, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

Jesus knows that there are people who claim to be Christian and use that title to influence others. Ultimately, they are not in relationship with Jesus, and it is evident by their “fruit” (see Matthew 7:16) i.e., their actions and attitude.

If being meek was not on your “radar” this week, it’s time to incorporate gentleness into your character. It is time to seek out the gentle people in your life and spend time with them.

Why? Because they are blessed by God. We can learn from them.

God bless,
Pr. Ben

Did you see the story about the “recently” discovered painting by Pablo Picasso?

Here is a part of the story…

A painting discovered by a junk dealer in the basement of an Italian villa six decades ago is actually the work of Pablo Picasso and could sell for millions, according to experts.

Luigi Lo Rosso used to spend his days combing abandoned houses and landfills in search of treasure to sell in the family’s pawn shop in Pompeii, Italy.

In 1962, he found a rolled-up canvas with an asymmetrical painting of a woman in the basement of the villa on the nearby island of Capri.

Luigi’s wife wasn’t impressed by the painting. He put the painting in an old frame and gave it to her anyway.

She didn’t think it was pretty enough to sell, so it hung in the family home for about 50 years and later in a restaurant they owned.

She simply didn’t pay any attention to the artists name scribbled in the corner.

40 years ago, Luigi’s daughter contacted the authorities about the painting and the journey began to authenticate this mini masterpiece. Just last month, the verdict finally came. It is an authentic Picasso painting and could be worth six million dollars.

Imagine possessing of immense value and not even knowing it!

But you do!

As a child of God, you have something called integrity. And it is priceless!

Integrity is defined as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.

I would define it as doing the right thing even if no one is looking.

Doing the right thing is invaluable in every age. Don’t check your morals at the door and don’t look up to people whose integrity is compromised.

Sure, we all make mistakes, that’s not what I am talking about.

When we idolize people who have a questionable moral compass, it will affect us as well.

Saint Paul puts it this way, Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33

Their character, their actions, their mindset will rub off on you.

Choose role models worthy of emulation.

People think they can keep secrets. Eventually, all deeds come into the light.

The person of integrity walks securely, but those who takes crooked paths will be found out. Proverbs 10:9

Your priceless treasure is your integrity.

Remember the words of Solomon…

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Your riches won’t help you on Judgment Day; only righteousness counts then. Proverbs 11:3-4

Choose integrity!

God bless,
Pastor Ben

There was a major shift in thinking that has contributed to the polarized times we live in right now.

Sometime in the 1990s, truth became relative.

What do I mean by that?

For a very long time, we could agree on what is true for everyone and there was very little discussion about these truths. Truths as simple as “the earth is a sphere” and as complex as “there is a consequence for every choice you make”. The list goes on and on about truths that disputed today.

In other words, your “truth” is whatever you want it to be, and my “truth” is whatever I want it to be. That change in thinking has led to a more conflict between individuals and groups.

Yet as people of faith, we follow the One who clearly stated, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6

Jesus is truth and his words are true.

Right before Jesus’ crucifixion, he said this to the Roman Governor, “I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37

Jesus is truth and Jesus tells the truth and Jesus expects the truth from his children. Not your truth, but THE TRUTH.

This past week, the Conference of Bishops of the ELCA (our denominational home) met and discussed truth. They too recognize the danger of “relative truth” and half-truths.

In a wonderfully written letter to us, they clearly lay out the importance of being truthful.

Here is a portion of that letter…

We refuse to accept the ongoing normalization of lies and deceit.

We recommit ourselves to speaking the truth and pointing to the one who is truth. We find courage in our collegiality and implore the members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as well as our partners and friends, to join us as we:

• Pledge to be vigilant guardians of truth, refusing to perpetuate lies or half-truths that further corrode the fabric of our society.

• Commit to rigorous fact-checking, honoring God’s command to “test everything; hold fast to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

• Reject the use of humor that normalizes falsehood, remembering that our speech should “always be gracious” (Colossians 4:6).

• Boldly advocate for the marginalized and oppressed, emulating Christ’s love for the least among us.

• Courageously interrupt hate speech, standing firm in the knowledge that all are created in God’s image.

• Lean in with curiosity, engage with those who think differently and “put the best construction on our neighbor’s action” (Luther’s explanation of the Eighth Commandment).

• Amplify voices of truth.

These are good words, and they remind us to avoid and denounce: lies, half-truths and personal truths.

Above all, seek Jesus and the truth he speaks.

Let me offer a verse from Proverbs to close. This is my prayer, and I hope it is yours too.

Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Proverbs 30:8

Amen.

God bless,
Pastor Ben

The full letter can be found here: Conference of Bishops Letter regarding truth.