Beatitudes

Okay, so I want to get real with you if you do not mind.

When Angela and I talked about this great idea of Words of Wisdom, I was the first to say we needed to be open to the Holy Spirit and what He wants us to teach. However, when it came down to making the decision to what I was going to write about, I wanted to take the easy road. Being the first week in this new study on Words of Worship, I decided to write about Baptism, it’s an easy subject for me because I have studied it several times and I could pull something out of the “files” and no one would know. After all, I would not want to actually write about something this early on and have it not be received so well. The fact was that I did not even consider asking God to lead me to the Word for the week. Not because I did not know any better, but because I was afraid and I did not want to write about something I did not know much about. However, God had a much greater plan of accountability for me and if A had not already been used last week, I would be humbly writing about Accountability. Anyway, I thought I would share that I am human and have very real fears about being so open and trusted to provide you with God’s word. What I have learned is that God would not let me disappoint you. I hope that there is one person out there that asks themselves if God is speaking directly to them through this devotional this week. I pray you are open to whatever it is that He wants you to hear. I promise to ask Him for direction this entire devotional, since He seems to care a whole bunch about teaching you what you need and not what makes it easier on me. Even when there are times that I have no idea how it will be received, I will still write it. I just ask that you send out a praise or something so I know that I am on the right track, Deal?
With love and a new level of respect for our wonderful God, Heather.

Day 1

Beatitudes

God’s word for this week is Beatitude which is Greek for Blessed.

The meaning of this word is
1 - Spiritual well-being and prosperity
2 - deep joy of the soul

You will find the Beatitudes in

Matthew 5:3-12
3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Dear Lord, I thank you for the lessons I have learned through this devotional. I thank you that you are and always will be concerned about the health of myself and those that receive this email devotional. That you are in the midst of our spiritual, physical and mental well being. Lord, I praise you for the adoption into your family and because of our adoption, we are to experience the amazing gifts that only you can give. Thank you for loving us. Amen.




Day 2

A Closer Look

As we look closer at this passage, we find this
The word blessed means Happy
The poor in spirit are those who recognize their Spiritual Poverty
The mourners are truly sorry for their sins
The meek have disciplined strength
Those who search for Righteousness will be satisfied
The merciful will receive mercy. Mercy is God’s love that causes him to help the miserable. Those who are this way because they broke God’s law or because of circumstances out of their control.
The pure in heart will see and understand the heart of God
Peacemakers are God’s children
Those who endure persecution for doing God’s commands will inherit the kingdom.

Many writers of the last century called the Beatitudes “Integrity Builders” and the 8 declarations of blessedness.
The Beatitudes are recorded in Matthew 5:3-12, written in red, which means that Jesus himself said these words. The Beatitudes are best known as the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus began one of his most important public teachings with stating the way to happiness.
As we look at this piece of scripture we see that when Jesus states the way to happiness, he is speaking about how to share in salvation, the words describe entering the kingdom of God and experiencing a fore taste of heaven. It describes the ideal disciple and the rewards of both the present and the future. These character qualities are among those inside the Kingdom which differ from those of the World.

Day 3
Looking up the Beatitudes in my study bible, it references the verse

Matthew 7:29 “He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.”
What does this say to you?

There are many teachings in this world. We must remember that the Word is our ultimate teaching and we should reference anything we hear with the Word before we consider it truth.
Have you mistaken something you have heard as truth in the past?

When you read about the blessed (the 8 beatitudes), how many of those qualities do you see in yourself? How many do others see?

Do you know anyone else that could be encouraged by this passage? How will you share it with them?

Does this passage give you hope? Direction?



Day 4

You can find the beatitudes referenced in

Luke 6:20-23
20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: “ Blessed are you poor,For yours is the kingdom of God.21 Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh. 22 Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

The qualities found in the Beatitudes can be found in both the Old and New testaments. Here are just a few of those passages:
Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

Psalms 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalms 65:4 Blessed is the man You choose,And cause to approach You,That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple.

Psalms 128:1 Blessed is every one who fears the LORD,Who walks in His ways.

John 20:29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas,[a] because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Romans 14:22 Do you have faith?[a] Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Revelations 14:13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me,[a] “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”

You can also look up Sermon on the Mount and find several other passages.

Ask God to strengthen your qualities that are found in the Beatitudes.

Confess any resistance you have in sharing this passage with others. Don’t forget what you have experienced in your life to come to a loving and accepting relationship with God.

Reflect on the many ways that you have been blessed and how those blessings should be an outpouring in your life.

Praise God for His blessings in your life and for your blessing here and in the future.


Day 5

Promises in Scripture that relate to this passage are found in

Revelations 21:4
4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Will you commit with me today to vision yourself going to the best ever conference around? Imagine the headlines, posters, fliers and email notices about the famous Jesus coming to your area. What seats would you pay for. Would you come early to make sure you have the best seat. How would you have received the words that Jesus shared? Picture yourself hearing him say those words. Does it motivate you? Join with me this weekend in resting in his peace and presence. Attend a conference with him in scripture. Start with a favorite passage and let it speak to you as this one spoke to me. Allow yourself to be transformed and motivated to make a change in your life today. Share this with someone else as a witness of God’s amazing transformation in your life.

Praise Friday Praises

Dear Lord, I am in awe of your ways. I could probably study this topic for another year and still not fully understand all the dynamics of it. But one thing is true, you came here in human flesh and new what was to come, you gave us insight and direction and you have blessed us with your wisdom. Please continue to speak to us concerning your kingdom and the promise of our future. Please reassure us of the things which we do not fully understand and which we do not yet see. I praise you for your teachings and I am forever changed by your Sermon on the Mount. Please continue to use others to multiply your Kingdom and the multitudes of followers that will come because of those teachings. Lord, I pray that you will use me to reach and teach all those you put in my path. You are amazing. I love you. Amen.