The Fifth Beatitude
Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
Mercy is love toward those that need some type of help. The merciful are those that are tender hearted and who truly feel in thier hearts the pain and the suffering of those who need mercy. But most importantly is the fact that the merciful are those special individuals who go out of their way and make the effort to help. Having compassion on those that are in any way hurting is only the first part of having mercy. The second is doing something about it.
We as believers must show mercy to all men and we are to do this by both sympathizing with them and by taking care and tending to their needs. And we must do this with readiness and gladness, with affection and tenderness, always ready to give and to forgive. God instructs us to show the same type of mercy to others that he shows to each of us.
Being merciful is a test of our Christianity. If you are not constantly being merciful then you have not understood the grace and the mercy of God and you are outside of Jesus Christ. We who have received God's mercy are merciful because the grace of God makes us that way.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Blessed Are They Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
The Fourth Beatitude
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for Righteousness,
for they shall be filled.
In order to understand this beatitude we must first ask ourselves, what is the meaning of righteousness? Righteousness means being in complete accordance with what is just, honorable, and Godly. Righteousness are those things that are morally right, virtuous, and noble. Righteousness is a life style that is in complete conformity to the will of God. It is a lifestyle that Jesus finds pleasing.
Hunger and thirst are appetites that we have everyday and they require to be met often during the day. Similarly the true believer calls for constant meals of righteousness to do his daily Godly work, just as the body calls for its daily food. When a believer hungers and thirsts after righteousness he becomes a new man and this new man now bears the image of God. This new man greatly desires to do the will of God for he now has great interest in Christ and all that Christ said and promised.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for Righteousness,
for they shall be filled.
In order to understand this beatitude we must first ask ourselves, what is the meaning of righteousness? Righteousness means being in complete accordance with what is just, honorable, and Godly. Righteousness are those things that are morally right, virtuous, and noble. Righteousness is a life style that is in complete conformity to the will of God. It is a lifestyle that Jesus finds pleasing.
Hunger and thirst are appetites that we have everyday and they require to be met often during the day. Similarly the true believer calls for constant meals of righteousness to do his daily Godly work, just as the body calls for its daily food. When a believer hungers and thirsts after righteousness he becomes a new man and this new man now bears the image of God. This new man greatly desires to do the will of God for he now has great interest in Christ and all that Christ said and promised.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Blessed Are The Meek
The Third Beatitude
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
To be meek means to be gentle and kind. A meek person exhibits self-control. It is a person who is kind and considerate to others, even to those who oppose him, who is easily approachable, not prideful or resentful, not temperamental or harsh. It does not imply that a person is weak. But it portrays a man who willfully and joyfully considers his own life worth nothing, when compared to the greatness of God. To be meek is a hard characteristic to have. It's something that we must ask God to help us with. The reward is great. Jesus says the meek "shall inherit the earth." What an amazing promise and reward! The meek will be heirs of the Kingdom of God!
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
To be meek means to be gentle and kind. A meek person exhibits self-control. It is a person who is kind and considerate to others, even to those who oppose him, who is easily approachable, not prideful or resentful, not temperamental or harsh. It does not imply that a person is weak. But it portrays a man who willfully and joyfully considers his own life worth nothing, when compared to the greatness of God. To be meek is a hard characteristic to have. It's something that we must ask God to help us with. The reward is great. Jesus says the meek "shall inherit the earth." What an amazing promise and reward! The meek will be heirs of the Kingdom of God!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
The Second Beatitude
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
A person who mourns recognizes that they are a sinner before God. Such a person mourns over their sins because they recognize that their sin greatly hurts God. They also realize that they are without righteousness and do not even begin to deserve salvation and the joys of heaven. This miserable, but repentant sinner, realizes that only through the grace of God do they have forgiveness and salvation. Jesus says such a person is blessed. Those who are blessed in this way by God will see God and dwell with him forever.
What is the promise to those who mourn? They will be comforted. Who will be comforted? Only those who mourn, meaning only those who repent. Only those who grieve over their sins under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and cry out to God, saying, "I am a sinner" and ask for forgiveness. They will be the ones who will be comforted. Why will only these people be comforted? Because they alone know that Jesus Christ came to save the lost. They alone look to the cross of Jesus Christ and realize that Christ died for their sins.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
A person who mourns recognizes that they are a sinner before God. Such a person mourns over their sins because they recognize that their sin greatly hurts God. They also realize that they are without righteousness and do not even begin to deserve salvation and the joys of heaven. This miserable, but repentant sinner, realizes that only through the grace of God do they have forgiveness and salvation. Jesus says such a person is blessed. Those who are blessed in this way by God will see God and dwell with him forever.
What is the promise to those who mourn? They will be comforted. Who will be comforted? Only those who mourn, meaning only those who repent. Only those who grieve over their sins under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and cry out to God, saying, "I am a sinner" and ask for forgiveness. They will be the ones who will be comforted. Why will only these people be comforted? Because they alone know that Jesus Christ came to save the lost. They alone look to the cross of Jesus Christ and realize that Christ died for their sins.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit
Over the next few days, I will be going over the Beatitudes taught by Jesus Christ. These Beatitudes were taught by Jesus at the Sermon on the Mount. They are guidelines for us to live by and show us the values that Christ cares about. These values can not only bring us peace and happiness, but also bring us into the Kingdom of Heaven. The Beatitudes of Jesus are found in Matthew 5:3-12.
The First Beatitude
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
What is Jesus saying here? Was He saying the economically poor are blessed? No. So what does it mean to be poor in spirit? It means that the poor are those who realize that they can never achieve salvation on their own and instead put their complete faith and trust in Jesus Christ. The poor in spirit are those who are not self-reliant, self-confident, self-centered, or self-sufficient. The poor in spirit are those who are conscious of their sins and know in their hearts that they are completely unworthy of the grace that God has given them. The poor in spirit are humble and know that they are nothing without God.
Only the poor in spirit will enter into the kingdom of God. Why? Because they come to God having full knowledge of their own sinfulness. They readily confess that they are full of sin and are totally unqualified to enter into the kingdom of God. The poor in spirit are the ones who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
The First Beatitude
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
What is Jesus saying here? Was He saying the economically poor are blessed? No. So what does it mean to be poor in spirit? It means that the poor are those who realize that they can never achieve salvation on their own and instead put their complete faith and trust in Jesus Christ. The poor in spirit are those who are not self-reliant, self-confident, self-centered, or self-sufficient. The poor in spirit are those who are conscious of their sins and know in their hearts that they are completely unworthy of the grace that God has given them. The poor in spirit are humble and know that they are nothing without God.
Only the poor in spirit will enter into the kingdom of God. Why? Because they come to God having full knowledge of their own sinfulness. They readily confess that they are full of sin and are totally unqualified to enter into the kingdom of God. The poor in spirit are the ones who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Go Into All the World
And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." - Mark 16:15
This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. Jesus tells us in this verse to share His Word with the world. He is not asking us to do it if we want, He is telling us to do it.. He does not say wait for people to come to us, He tells us to go to them. This is a commandment from Jesus Himself. One of the biggest problems with the church today is that we have become too comfortable in our luxuries. We have become to adapted to the comforts that we have. We have the mindset that we should just sit back and say, "If Jesus wants me to witness to someone, He will send that person to me." This is a mindset that we have to change. There are people in this world who have never even heard the name Jesus Christ. How can they find salvation if we do not show them the way? It's time the church gets outside of its comfort zone and does the work that Jesus has commanded us to do.
This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. Jesus tells us in this verse to share His Word with the world. He is not asking us to do it if we want, He is telling us to do it.. He does not say wait for people to come to us, He tells us to go to them. This is a commandment from Jesus Himself. One of the biggest problems with the church today is that we have become too comfortable in our luxuries. We have become to adapted to the comforts that we have. We have the mindset that we should just sit back and say, "If Jesus wants me to witness to someone, He will send that person to me." This is a mindset that we have to change. There are people in this world who have never even heard the name Jesus Christ. How can they find salvation if we do not show them the way? It's time the church gets outside of its comfort zone and does the work that Jesus has commanded us to do.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Salvation
The first step to salvation is to admit that we are sinners. No matter how good we think we are, the Bible tells us that all have sinned.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, - Romans 3:23
Secondly, We must understand and believe the consequences of being a sinner. The Bible says:
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23
Wages refers to something we have earned. This is not talking about physical death, it is talking about spiritual death. It is talking about eternal seperation from God in a place called Hell.
We must have the desire to be saved and ask God to forgive us of our sins. We must repent.
I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. - Luke 13:5
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. - Acts 3:19
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. - 2 Peter 3:9
Salvation is a free gift from God given to all who ask. It can never be earned.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9
Grace means "unmerited favor". It means we are granted favor when we have done nothing to deserve such favor.
Along with asking for forgiveness of our sins, the Bible also tells us that we must be baptized.
Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit." - Acts 2:38
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, - Matthew 28:19
The most important decision you will ever make in your life is choosing whether you will follow Jesus Christ or not. Will you choose eternal life with God or will you choose eternal pain in Hell? I encourage anyone who has not asked Jesus into their lives to talk with God. Simply ask Him to forgive you for your sins and to guide you down His path. I promise your life will never be the same!
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, - Romans 3:23
Secondly, We must understand and believe the consequences of being a sinner. The Bible says:
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23
Wages refers to something we have earned. This is not talking about physical death, it is talking about spiritual death. It is talking about eternal seperation from God in a place called Hell.
We must have the desire to be saved and ask God to forgive us of our sins. We must repent.
I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. - Luke 13:5
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. - Acts 3:19
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. - 2 Peter 3:9
Salvation is a free gift from God given to all who ask. It can never be earned.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9
Grace means "unmerited favor". It means we are granted favor when we have done nothing to deserve such favor.
Along with asking for forgiveness of our sins, the Bible also tells us that we must be baptized.
Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit." - Acts 2:38
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, - Matthew 28:19
The most important decision you will ever make in your life is choosing whether you will follow Jesus Christ or not. Will you choose eternal life with God or will you choose eternal pain in Hell? I encourage anyone who has not asked Jesus into their lives to talk with God. Simply ask Him to forgive you for your sins and to guide you down His path. I promise your life will never be the same!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Why Worship God
And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'" - Matthew 4:9-10 NKJV
These verses clearly tell us the most basic reason why we must worship God: Because He commands it! He not only commands us to worship Him, but to worship ONLY Him. Satan tells Jesus here that if He will worship him, he will give Him all things. Satan does the same thing to us today. Society has become obsessed with, even to the point of worshiping, the things of this world, money and possessions. We have to come to the understanding that these wordly possessions mean nothing and that God will provide us with everything we need. We must be like Jesus and say "Away with you Satan! I am going to worship God and only God!"
These verses clearly tell us the most basic reason why we must worship God: Because He commands it! He not only commands us to worship Him, but to worship ONLY Him. Satan tells Jesus here that if He will worship him, he will give Him all things. Satan does the same thing to us today. Society has become obsessed with, even to the point of worshiping, the things of this world, money and possessions. We have to come to the understanding that these wordly possessions mean nothing and that God will provide us with everything we need. We must be like Jesus and say "Away with you Satan! I am going to worship God and only God!"
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Ultimate Gift of Love
Happy Valentines Day! I want to share a verse with you today that is familiar to everyone. It is a verse of the greatest love ever shown. It is found in the Gospel of John.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. - John 3:16 NKJV
What greater love is there than this? God showed the ultimate act of love by giving His Son to suffer and die for you and me so that we should have everlasting life. It's a great feeling to know that God loves us this much. In return, we should be giving Him the love that He deserves each and every day.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. - John 3:16 NKJV
What greater love is there than this? God showed the ultimate act of love by giving His Son to suffer and die for you and me so that we should have everlasting life. It's a great feeling to know that God loves us this much. In return, we should be giving Him the love that He deserves each and every day.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Love Your Enemies
"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you." - Luke 6:27-28 NKJV
We all have people in our lives that take advantage of us and use us. And as much as we want to justify behavior, Jesus tells us here how to respond. He doesn't say to get even, to repay evil for evil, or even to get bitter or angry. He says to repay with good.
Why should we just roll over? The answer is simple. Jesus will eventually settle all accounts if we will just let Him. So we find ourselves with a decision to make. Do we be like Christ and bless our enemies? Or do we be unlike Christ and do things our way?
We all have people in our lives that take advantage of us and use us. And as much as we want to justify behavior, Jesus tells us here how to respond. He doesn't say to get even, to repay evil for evil, or even to get bitter or angry. He says to repay with good.
Why should we just roll over? The answer is simple. Jesus will eventually settle all accounts if we will just let Him. So we find ourselves with a decision to make. Do we be like Christ and bless our enemies? Or do we be unlike Christ and do things our way?
Put Your Trust In God
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28 NKJV
We've all heard the phrase, "everything happens for a reason." There are a lot people in this world hurting and asking "why?" In this verse, we are told that all things work together for good to those who love God. We must learn to put our trust in the Lord and know that He has a plan for everything. There are people who claim that they trust God but do not live this out. They grow impatient and try to take matters into their own hands. If we would only wait and trust in God, we will find out that His solutions are way better than anything we can come up with. It is not our job to figure out how to clean up a mess, but to simply trust that God is in control. No one can clean up a mess better than God. Not only is He able to clean the mess up, but He is able to make something good out of it. Remember that God has a plan for each and every one of us. Put your trust in Him. He will not disappoint!!!
We've all heard the phrase, "everything happens for a reason." There are a lot people in this world hurting and asking "why?" In this verse, we are told that all things work together for good to those who love God. We must learn to put our trust in the Lord and know that He has a plan for everything. There are people who claim that they trust God but do not live this out. They grow impatient and try to take matters into their own hands. If we would only wait and trust in God, we will find out that His solutions are way better than anything we can come up with. It is not our job to figure out how to clean up a mess, but to simply trust that God is in control. No one can clean up a mess better than God. Not only is He able to clean the mess up, but He is able to make something good out of it. Remember that God has a plan for each and every one of us. Put your trust in Him. He will not disappoint!!!
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