Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
**Daily Devotional**
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ?Matthew 5:3
I once viewed the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 as a kind of sop Jesus threw to the unfortunates: ?Well, since you aren?t rich, and your health is bad, and your face is wet with tears, I?ll toss out a few nice phrases to make you feel better.?
Unlike medieval kings who threw coins to the masses, though, Jesus had the advantage of dangling real rewards before His audience. He who came down from heaven knew well that the glories of the kingdom of heaven would easily counterbalance whatever misery we might encounter here on earth.
Among many Christians, an emphasis on future rewards has gone out of fashion. My former pastor Bill Leslie used to observe, ?As churches grow wealthier and more successful, they?re less likely to sing ?This world is not my home, I?m just a passin? through? and more likely to intone, ?This is my Father?s world.? ?
We dare not discount the value of hope in future rewards. One need only listen to the songs composed by American slaves to realize this consolation of belief. ?Swing low, sweet chariot, comin? for to carry me home.? ?Nobody knows the trouble I?ve seen, nobody knows but Jesus.?
Over time I have learned to respect, and even long for, the future rewards Jesus has promised. ? Philip Yancey
Let me go, for earth?s fond pleasures
Soon will vanish and decay;
But the soul has richer treasures
Shining bright as cloudless day. ?Bucks
Dark trials will be rewarded by bright crowns.