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”Tag: Spirit
Our Father in Heaven
I never called my dad, “Father.” He was always my Dad and the God in Heaven is my Father. My Dad was a great Dad who was a godly man, but our Heavenly Father is a perfect Father. He will never leave you or forsake you. He will always do what is best. He loves you so much that He sent His One and Only Son into the world to pay for our sins. Jesus gave His life for us. He and the Father are one. And he has adopted those who believe and trust in Jesus, that He lived, that He gave His life, that He paid for our sins on the cross, and that He rose again on the third day and sits at the right hand of God the Father. He has called those of us who accept that gift children of God. And we can call Him, Abba, Father.
Continue reading “Our Father in Heaven”The Lord is My Banner
Many of God’s “names” that people write about are really names of places where God did something miraculous. But it is fitting because it describes an aspect of God’s character, which is why the people in the Bible commemorate that particular place or building an altar in God’s name. The name of God we are discussing today is one of those examples. After a great battle is won, it was obvious that God was behind Israel’s victory. We are in a battle every day and through Christ we can have victory over our battles, in life.
Continue reading “The Lord is My Banner”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.
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