How Poor are You?

Scripture: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3


Study: Jesus said, "Come follow me." Can you imagine all the behaviors and the language Jesus must have observed of the crowd that was “following” Him? I taught kindergarten and often took the children on field trips. You can learn a lot about children and their families as you listen and observe. Jesus took advantage of this teachable moment.

Jesus taught, saying, "Blessed are the poor in Spirit for they shall inherit the kingdom of God.” "Poor! You say? I do not understand.” I was taught that my civic responsibility was to take care of myself and to lend a hand to others who were not as fortunate. I have spent my whole life working from nine to five to provide food, clothes, home, conveniences, and even luxuries for my family. Is Jesus saying I have to become financially bankrupt to follow Him? The vision in my mind is a bankrupt person standing on the side of the road who is not only bankrupt financially but whose spirit is bankrupt. They have lost all the happiness and joy and are hopeless except for the mercy shown by others. They cannot help themselves or anyone else. What could Jesus possibly have meant by telling his followers to become "poor?"

This is not about being financially bankrupt.  It is about spiritual bankruptcy which is our inability to satisfy the deepest needs in our life. God created us to be in relationship with him because outside that relationship we will always search to fill that void.

King David understood the concept of being poor in spirit. He said, "THE LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me," Psalm 23:1-4. David understood that happiness was not in wealth but in an attitude of acceptance that God is the giver and provider of all good things. 

Application: How many people do you know that does not experience true joy in their spirit? Do have joy? Many walk, as they though they have no hope. Without Jesus there is no hope we are spiritually poor. 

The first step in any recovery plan is to recognize one's need. As we recognize our need we acknowledge our poverty and in that poverty we simply need to open our clinched fist and accept Christ offer to bless us. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit” for they have recognized their spiritual bankruptcy and have come with open hands to be blessed from the Father who wants to fill us with this finest, joy and happiness from within (Psalms 81:16).

Prayer:

Dear Father help us to realize our spiritual bankruptcy, to humble ourselves so that you can bless us with the finest you desire for us. 
 In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Need An Attitude Adjustment?

Scripture: "Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: Blessed are..." Matthew 5:1-12

Study: The Old Testament ended with a curse (Malachi 4:6). Righteousness had been reduced to a little more than ceremony and tradition, sacrifice of animals, and man-made temples. Their understanding of the kingdom was nothing more that the hope for a king that would bring political power to the nation of Israel. But, God is the God of hope. The New Testament begins with a blessing, eternal life. Jesus had travel throughout the surrounding area of Galilee teaching the blessing to all who would receive it, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 

The kingdom of heaven is a new way of life. Because so many misunderstand the coming kingdom of Christ, Jesus sat down and began to teach them what it meant to be kingdom-minded or for Christ to reign in their lives. He was so careful but in reality, he was telling them they needed an attitude adjustment. In other words if you belong to me your attitude will reflect my character. 

Application: Many see the gospel light and hear the gospel sound but never experience transformation in their lives because they will not allow the light and sound to sink into the the depths of their mind and heart.  Kingdom living, abundant life, is not just for tomorrow but how we live our lives in the present. However, without an attitude change will not be blessed. Jesus was telling the crowd, to inherit the kingdom requires evidence of an attitude change. In other words, "A bad attitude is like a flat tire, you are not going anywhere until you change it." 

As a child of God we are changed or transformed into the likeness of Christ. Our new attitude and character is evidence of the baptism of the Spirit. Without this new attitude we will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. 

How blessed are you? Some days I need an attitude adjustment. What kind of attitude adjustment do you need?   

Prayer: 

Dear Father, reveal to me the attitudes in my life that are not kingdom-minded. Help me to surrender my attitude so that you can produce in me your attitude and character. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

There's a Reason

I was going back through my writings and saw this one where I had received this little poem in my e-mail a year or so ago. So here goes just in case someone needed to hear it again.

"There comes a point in your life when you realize:

Who matters,

Who never did,

Who won't anymore...

And who always will..

So, don't worry about people from your past ,

there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.."

Names quickly appear across the pages of my mind as I read this. Yes, there are reasons that people from our past do not make it into our future. We make decisions about people concerning whether we remember or forget them based on whether our relationship with them was/is "good," or "bad."

Have you ever heard someone say, "I will forgive, but not forget?" I believe that forgive means, as though it didn't happen, or in other words, FORGET IT, let it BE GONE.  I do forgive individuals, but as hard as I try there are times when that individual, that I thought I left behind, that caused me pain,  just pops back up. How about you? Then, once again, I must deal with my feelings. 

You know, everytime, yes, everytime I deal with this, the Holy Spirit reminds me of Joseph when he was dealing with his brothers after they had hurt him so deeply.   Listen to this passage from Genesis 50:19-21, when Joseph told his brothers, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is not being done, the saving of many lives... and he spoke kindly to them."

I believe that attitude of Joseph is what Christ had in mind when he said for us to "consider it pure joy...when we face trials...."So I am saying I am to fake the hurt during my trials and appear "happy as a Lark," even though I am crushed on the inside? Definitely not.  Trials are painful, at least mine are, but I am saying that it is possible to have a positive attitude (joy) because we know that trials produce in us perseverance, patience, and steadfastness (James 1: 2-15). 

As believers in God we should  try to look at our struggles as an opportunity for growth. As we pray, God will give us strength and wisdom to get through the difficult times and as in the passage today, to not just get past those difficult persons, but be able to look them in the eye and "speak kindly to them." Instead of looking at that individual and saying, "You caused me hurt in my life," look to God and say, "Thank you for using the hurt to accomplish your will in my life." 

James 1: 12 says, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." 

How do you see those that hurt you or someone you love. How do you deal with hurt...tough times? Did you become better or bitter? Will you receive the crown?