The Beatitudes is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, perhaps the most famous, most inciteful sermon ever spoken. Jesus lays out the characteristics of a person who follows Him. I have heard it said that the Beatitudes do not describe who Jesus is looking for but the kind of person He wants to make you. The word ‘blessed” does not just mean happiness. Happiness is based on circumstance. It is closer to joy, which is being content regardless, or despite circumstances. But the word blessed is more like having favor from God. It is being fully satisfied. True fulfillment can only be found through a relationship with Jesus Christ (see Romans 5:1-8) and there is nothing greater than that fulfillment. That is the true blessing that Jesus offers each one of us. Let’s take a look at each blessing from the Beatitudes the next few weeks.
Continue reading “Blessed: Poor in Spirit”Category: Spiritual Life
How We Know We are Saved – The Change After Salvation
So we made the decision to accept the free gift that God has given us by believing in Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead. What next? How do we know we are actually saved? What changes will be in your life? We know that we are promised eternal life for all those who believe. What promises has God made for your life now? We will answer these questions in this and the following posts.
Continue reading “How We Know We are Saved – The Change After Salvation”Self-Control
The last part of the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. On the one hand, we need self control. On the other hand we need to deny ourselves and surrender to Christ. How do we do both? I think the more we surrender to Christ, the better we can have self-control. As we follow Him, not only are we declared righteous by what He did for us, not by our own doing, but our lives and desires will be changed and we will want to do what is righteous and overcome temptation through the Holy Spirit. That to me is what self-control is about.
Continue reading “Self-Control”A Gentle Spirit
Do you have the Fruit of the Spirit? Are you gentle? Looking at the Greek words for this, it also includes meekness and humility. This is not a weakness as some believe, but a strength. It’s easy to seek your own desires, but God wants us to put others’ needs before our own. How often do we do that?
Continue reading “A Gentle Spirit”The Good Fruit
As we look through the fruit of the Spirit I hope that you are being blessed and learn from this study. I know I have learned a lot and I am hoping that it will strengthen my faith and change my life. I hope that for you as well. Today we are discussing goodness. Let us do good and give God the glory.
Continue reading “The Good Fruit”
