In the Book of Matthew, Jesus gave us a list of blessings that has come to be know as the Beatitudes. In our post this week, we are going to look at a few of them and what they might speak to us as individuals, as God's people. The first one speaks of the poor in spirit. The Bible presents many paradoxes that challenge our human way of thinking. We think of the poor as possessing very little, yet Jesus said the riches of heaven belong to the poor in spirit. Self-reliance robs us of God's good gifts.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3
Jesus insisted that in order to follow Him, we must deny self. As long as we rely on our own resources, we will never be able to place our trust in Him. As we acknowledge the poverty of our souls, we realize how desperately we need a Savior. In Matthew 4 verse 17, Jesus declared, "Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is near." God has so much to give the one who recognizes his need and will call upon Jesus.
Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. He had just encountered the rich ruler, who valued his possessions so much, that he turned down following Jesus to retain his possessions. Later on, Jesus encounters Zaccheus, a wealthy, notorious sinner. Despite Zaccheus's material wealth, he recognized his spiritual poverty and found salvation.
Jesus taught the disciples that true wealth is found in a relationship with God. Those who realize their inherent spiritual poverty apart from God will trust in Him, and He will enrich their lives immeasurably. We cannot allow our resources, wisdom, talent, or abilities to prevent us from trusting the Person who can bring us abundant life. The Lord Jesus Christ!!
May God richly bless you today!! H Trent!
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3
Jesus insisted that in order to follow Him, we must deny self. As long as we rely on our own resources, we will never be able to place our trust in Him. As we acknowledge the poverty of our souls, we realize how desperately we need a Savior. In Matthew 4 verse 17, Jesus declared, "Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is near." God has so much to give the one who recognizes his need and will call upon Jesus.
Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. He had just encountered the rich ruler, who valued his possessions so much, that he turned down following Jesus to retain his possessions. Later on, Jesus encounters Zaccheus, a wealthy, notorious sinner. Despite Zaccheus's material wealth, he recognized his spiritual poverty and found salvation.
Jesus taught the disciples that true wealth is found in a relationship with God. Those who realize their inherent spiritual poverty apart from God will trust in Him, and He will enrich their lives immeasurably. We cannot allow our resources, wisdom, talent, or abilities to prevent us from trusting the Person who can bring us abundant life. The Lord Jesus Christ!!
May God richly bless you today!! H Trent!
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