POST #20: JESUS' SERMON ON THE MOUNT: The first triad: PMM: Poor/Mourn/Meek

In his book, CHRIST OF THE MOUNT, E. Stanley Jones reminds us how important and foundational the first 3 beatitudes are in our walk with JESUS, OUR LORD.

• 1)  I know that life is not about me... life is about GOD!  I give back my spirit to GOD!

• 2)  I'm sorry for my sins, receiving the forgiveness that JESUS extends... all the while lovingly and longingly grieving/mourning for the souls of others.

• 3) I give up my will for the FATHER's will. I've been convicted by HIS love and holiness and wants to follow HIS lead. I've given HIM my heart and now I am ready to give HIM the reins of my life without kicking, screaming, and complaining.   

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JESUS stated (very simply and deeply) these 3 basics of christian living (in HIS first 3 points of HIS "Sermon on the Mount):   

• 1)  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

• 2) "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

•  3) "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

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Then, in The Garden and on The Cross, JESUS lived out these 3 foundational principles in a profound way: 

• 1)  "FATHER, INTO THY HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT."

• 2)  "FATHER FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO!"

•  3)  "NOT MY WILL, BUT THINE BE DONE!"

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~BLESSED~

~OH, THE JOY~

GIGATTAATTGIG

POST #19: JESUS' SERMON ON THE MOUNT: Designed for His Purpose - Blessed are the Meek...

So, who creates a piece of pottery, designed for a specific purpose, that will be sturdy enough to serve it's purpose well? What if that "pot in the making" could talk back while it's being designed?

• "Don't pinch me!"
• "What do you think you're doing to me?"
• "Do you know what you're doing?"
• "Leave me alone!"
• "I don't want to be a vessel for you!"

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If the pot's cries were honored with no more pinching, no more work, no following wisdom to do what is best, then the pot would never be finished or be able to fulfill it's purpose. A wise pot will allow the designer to do His work.
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When it happens, the results are beautiful and blessed!  When reading JESUS' 3rd beatitude, "Blessed are the meek...", we learn that means a willingness to let someone else be in control or have the power without fighting back.  
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"But we have this treasure in jars of clay 

to show that this all-surpassing power 

is from God 

and not from us."

2 Corinthians 4:7

***

~BLESSED~~OH, the JOY!~GIGATTAATTGIG

POST #18: JESUS' SERMON ON THE MOUNT: Blessed are the meek - Transformation!

Today, I thought, once again, about how hard transformation is.

So who is it that designs and carries out a butterfly's transformation? The butterfly? It's maker? Both? I'm not a butterfly expert. I have observed them. I have been to The Butterfly Palace in Branson, Missouri. I've shared with you before that I learned there that some of the most beautiful butterflies often took the longest time coming out of the cocoon.

What I do know about butterflies, I've used to make application to my own life:

If at any time during this pre-designed transformation process the butterfly decides that she can't take it anymore, she's going to get hurt. Flapping her wings and "kicking and screaming" when she's only half way through the transformation cycle will only result in broken wings, severed appendages, and possibly death. If she survives the process while "kicking and screaming" she will most probably have life long scars.

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The butterfly that allows for the pre-designed transformation process to take it's course, no matter how long the process, is wise!

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When it happens, the results are beautiful and blessed!

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BLESSED ARE THE MEEK...

OH, THE JOY!

GIGATTAATTGIG

POST #17: JESUS' SERMON ON THE MOUNT: Beatitudes #1, #2, and #3 ("Power under control")

In the last few weeks I've had several discussions about horses and what it takes for a wild horse to become gentle and "ride-able".   How does a horse owner or trainer help a horse to be:

• spirited, yet obedient?
• unleashed, yet controlled?
• powerful, yet gentle?

When it happens, the results are beautiful and blessed!
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Jesus' 3rd beatitude begins with, "Blessed are the meek..."  
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Meek?  It does not mean weak!  
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In fact, the Biblical definition of 

meek = "power under control".   

Years ago, Steve and I worked at Cornhusker Christian Children's Home.  The home was located on a beautiful rolling ranch, in western Nebraska, surrounded by a white fence.  A supporter of the children's home, was the owner of the retired American Quarter Horse champion, "Lucky Stroke".   Lucky Stroke's pasture was right outside our kitchen window.  I was in awe (and quit frankly petrified) of being too close to "Lucky Stroke" because of the power he exuded.  Yet, get one of his "riders" near him and he became calm, gentle, approachable, and "ride-able".  
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Consider how JESUS (all powerful), lived out HIS beatitudes, as HE prayed in the garden and hung on the cross:
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1)  "Blessed are the poor in spirit" - "FATHER, into YOUR hands I commit my spirit!"
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2)  "Blessed are those who mourn" - "FATHER, forgive them for they know not what they do!"
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3)  "Blessed are the meek" - "FATHER, if YOU are willing, take this cup from ME; yet not MY will, but YOURS be done."
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JESUS had the power to call myriads and myriads of angels to save HIM, yet HE chose to let GOD be in control...  taking the "reins" of HIS life.  
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"Blessed are the meek..."

"Blessed are those with power 

under GOD's control..."

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Let's meditate on the first 3 Be-attitudes. Here are 3 words to prod our thinking:
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1)  DEAD
2)  BLED
3)  LED

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When it happens, the results are beautiful and blessed!

~BLESSED~

~OH, the JOY!~

GIGATTAATTGIG

POST #16: JESUS' SERMON ON THE MOUNT: It's time for us to grow up!

It often helps to get the big picture, to see where we are going. This is now my 16th post and I've sure spent a lot of time on Beatitude #1 and #2!  Are we ever going to get through JESUS' "sermon on the mount"?!???!!
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THIS IS SO IMPORTANT!    Just the first chapter (Matthew 5) of Jesus' three chapter sermon has 27 marks of:

• THE BLESSED LIFE
• THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
• THE JOY-FILLED LIFE
• THE LIFE OF LOVE
• THE MATURE LIFE

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Mature?  Yes!  
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Instead of numbering the verses of Matthew chapter 5, I'll number those "27 marks" that we are considering.  Notice #27. When reading this verse, people often get hung up on the word "perfect".  How can I be perfect?  First of all, that word, in the Greek, means the same thing as our word "mature".  #1 - start with being "poor in spirit"... begin living a life based on #1 through #26... and then #27 will just happen.
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Below, you will also find the italicized words are scripture (with blanks - if we have not gotten there yet); the non-italicized words summarize the longer thought in scripture. 

The Sermon on the Mount:

When JESUS saw the crowds, HE went up on the mountain; and after HE sat down, HIS disciples came to HIM. HE opened HIS mouth and began to teach them, saying,

1.  Blessed are the poor in spirit ...
2.  Blessed are those who mourn...
3.  Blessed are the meek (gentle)... 
4.  Blessed are those who _______... 
5.  Blessed are the ________...
6.  Blessed are the _________ ...
7.  Blessed are the _________...
8.  Blessed are those who have ________________... 
9. Blessed are you when _________________...Rejoice and be glad...
10. You are the _________________... 
11. You are the __________________... 
12. Your righteousness surpasses __________________...
13. You are devoid of _______________________... 
14. You use no ______________________... 
15. You do not _______________________...
16. You have the spirit of  _________________...
17. You have no ________________________.... 
18. You have right  __________________...
19. You are relentless about ________________...
20. You have truth in ___________________... 
21. You turn ______________... 
22. You give your ________________... 
23. You go ___________________...
24. You give _____________________... 
25. You love  _____________________...
26. You pray for  ___________________...
27. "You are to be perfect (mature), as your HEAVENLY FATHER is perfect (mature)."

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I invite you back here , over the next few months, to learn more about loving yourself enough to do it JESUS' way!  It hurts because it begins with BROKENNESS!
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~BLESSED~
~Oh, the J.O.Y!~
GIGATTAATTGIG

POST #15: JESUS' SERMON ON THE MOUNT - First 2 Beatitudes

KETCHUP AND MUSTARD SATURDAY

Catch Up and Must Do

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Just briefly, let's review before going on, tomorrow, to the next Beatitude:

• My life is not about me... Life is about God and His kingdom!
• In view of the holiness of God, I see my sinfulness and I grieve, ask for forgiveness, and repent...laying my burdens down at His feet.

Jesus says it best:

• "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

.

~BLESSED~

~Oh, the JOY!~

GIGATTAATTGIG

POST #14: JESUS' SERMON ON THE MOUNT: Blessed are those who MOURN, loving the LORD with all heart, soul, mind, and strength...

 What is the one thing that you can do that will help you the most? 
Help those who live with you?  Help those who you work with?  
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• The most important thing that you can do is summed up in what JESUS called "the greatest commandment" and also in the first 3 Beatitudes. We are currently focusing on the second beatitude, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

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Greatest commandment?  Read Mark 12:28-30 here,

•  "One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that JESUS had given them a good answer, he asked HIM, 'Of all the commandments, which is the most important?'
• 'The most important one,' answered JESUS, 'is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The LORD our GOD, the LORD is one.  Love the LORD YOUR GOD with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'"

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I have not always found it easy to be sorry for my own sin or mistakes. It is not "natural" to say "I'm sorry". It takes a daily decision! Humility and deep conviction of my sinfulness comes from seeing my SAVIOR for who HE is and seeing me for who I am... and seeing how very much HE love me and forgives me, in spite of me!

• My response? Each new day, I make the decision to focus my eyes on JESUS, falling in love with my SAVIOR over and over again as I lay down the burden of my heart to HIM... (... daily... hourly... minute by minute...)

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I understand that my existence is hopeless without my SAVIOR SHEPHERD. I am a cast sheep without JESUS and HIS saving rod and staff.

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I first come alone to the cross... 

• with all my heart, 
• with all my mind, 
• with all my soul, 
• with all my strength...

Because of my love for my LORD, I bring my family (closest neighbors) to JESUS...

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JESUS provides an amazing gift when we choose to be poor in spirit and mourn our sinfulness? 

~BLESSED~
~Oh, the JOY!~
The understanding that:
GIGATTAATTGIG

POST #13: JESUS' SERMON ON THE MOUNT: Blessed are those who MOURN... Lay down the burden of your heart...

Lay down the burden of your heart...

 

Overwhelmed?  Separated?  Confused?  Feeling hopeless?  
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On judgment day, all I want is for JESUS to say to OUR FATHER,  "She's with me!  I've got her covered!"  Then, GOD smiles and says, "Well done my daughter!"   
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Scripture tells us that sin separates us from GOD.  Separated from God?Separated from perfect love? Separated from unfathomable goodness? Separated from complete forgiveness? How can that be? There's really not much we can do!  We weep. We mourn. We don't want separation! We mourn some more.  
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Have we taken our eyes off of JESUS?  
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HE  is our COMFORT... HOPE... SAVIOR...  
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Here are the verses that I'll be meditating on today from Romans, 2 Corinthians, and Galatians. Won't you join me for conviction... comfort... hope.... .
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Romans 3

• 23 "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD,
• 24 and are justified freely by HIS GRACE through the redemption that came by CHRIST JESUS. "

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Romans 7

• 14 - We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.
• 15 - I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
• 22 - For in my inner being I delight in GOD's law;
• 23 - but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.
• 24 - What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
• 25 - Thanks be to GOD-through JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to GOD's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin."

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Romans 8

• 1 - 'Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in CHRIST JESUS,
• 2 - because through CHRIST JESUS the law of the SPIRIT OF LIFE set me free from the law of sin and death. "

2 Corinthians 1

• 3 "Praise be to the GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORDE JESUS CHRIST, the FATHER OF COMPASSION and the GOD OF ALL COMFORT,
• 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from GOD."

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2 Corinthians 5

• 14 - "For CHRIST's love compels us, because we are convinced that ONE died for all, and therefore all died.
• 15 - And HE died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for HIM who died for them and was raised again.
• 16 - So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded CHRIST in this way, we do so no longer.
• 17 - Therefore, if anyone is in CHRIST, HE is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
• 18 - All this is from GOD, who reconciled us to HIMSELF through CHRIST and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
• 19 - that GOD was reconciling the world to HIMSELF in CHRIST, not counting men's sins against them. And HE has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
• 20 - We are therefore CHRIST's ambassadors, as though GOD were making His appeal through us. We implore you on CHRISTs behalf: Be reconciled to GOD.
• 21 - GOD made HIM who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in HIM we might become the righteousness of God."

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Galatians 3

• 22 - But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in JESUS CHRIST, might be given to those who believe.
• 26 - You are all sons of GOD through faith in CHRIST JESUS,
• 27 - for all of you who were baptized into CHRIST have clothed yourselves with CHRIST.
• 28 - There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in CHRIST JESUS.
• 29 - If you belong to CHRIST, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

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Galatians 5

• 16 - "So I say, live by the SPIRIT, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
• 17 - For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the SPIRIT, and the SPIRIT what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
• 18 - But if you are led by the SPIRIT, you are not under law.
• 19 - The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
• 20 - idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
• 21 - and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of GOD.
• 22 - But the fruit of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
• 23 - gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
• 24 - Those who belong to CHRIST JESUS have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
• 25 - Since we live by the SPIRIT, let us keep in step with the SPIRIT.
• 26 - Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."

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Galatians 6

• 1 - "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
• 2 - Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of CHRIST.
• 7 - Do not be deceived: GOD cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
• 8 - The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the SPIRIT, from the SPIRIT will reap eternal life. "

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"BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN,

FOR THEY WILL BE COMFORTED."

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~BLESSED~ OH, THE JOY!!!~

POST #12: JESUS' SERMON ON THE MOUNT: Mourn! Be Comforted! Forgiven! Blessed!

There are many reasons why people mourn.  The last week and a half have been very full of both mourning and rejoicing for me:

• Birthdays: We've had 3 birthdays in our family to celebrate: our daughter-in-love, our grand-daughter, and my mom.  Mom passed on two years ago in July 2013; I miss her.  Gain and loss!  Mourning and rejoicing!

• Half-birthdays: Yes!  We celebrate them!  We've had 3 of those, too:  our daughter, our son, and our grand-daughter.  Rejoicing!

• Anniversary:  Thursday was the 2nd year anniversary of Papa Sikes' passing on; we miss him!  Gain and loss!  Mourning and rejoicing!

• Yesterday's death of our  friend, Sam Holdeman:  Gain!  Loss!  Mourning!  Rejoicing!

•  the forgiveness that HE gives us

• the forgiveness, HE wants us us to accept, so that we will be blessed and comforted

• the forgiveness HE expects us to offer to others 

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In HIS Sermon on the Mount, JESUS says that we are blessed and comforted when we mourn.  HE is speaking of:


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HIS gift is ready... it's the repentance HE's waiting for...  It's a mark of our faith in HIM. 

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IN LUKE 5 JESUS said, 
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 “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

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IN LUKE 17  Jesus said to His disciples,  

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 "Be on your guard! 
If your brother sins, rebuke him; 
and if he repents, forgive him. 
And if he sins against you seven times a day, 
and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ 
forgive him.”

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As I shared in my last post, as christians, 
you and I are SINNERS, SAVED BY GRACE!  
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Let's be willing to:
1)  Mourn over our sins!
     (That means grieve that we've disobeyed GOD!)
2)  Repent of our sins! 
     (That means turn to JESUS and turn away from those sins!)
3)  Accept JESUS' forgiveness and salvation extended in grace!
4)  Be comforted that we are forgiven and saved children of GOD!
5)  Not keep beating ourselves up by not forgiving ourselves!
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I leave you with this thought from Hebrews 10 to consider:
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"For by one sacrifice HE has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.  The HOLY SPIRIT also testifies to us about this."   

 GIGATTAATTGIG!

BLESSED!  

OH, THE JOY!

  

POST #11: JESUS' SERMON ON THE MOUNT - Blessed are those who mourn... Sinners saved by grace...

 In Matthew 5, Jesus says,

 "BLESSED are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

  In order to have the "mind of CHRIST", we must have the attitudes of CHRIST. In Matthew 5, Jesus says that begins with being "poor in spirit" - convicted of our spiritual poverty. Our first steps on this Christ-like journey:
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1.  "It's NOT about me!"  I am nothing unless I get it right with JESUS!  I must pour myself out to be filled up with Him, admitting my own personal and spiritual emptiness. BLESSED are the POOR IN SPIRIT...
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 FROM SELFISH 

TO 

SELFLESS.

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 2.   "I am a sinner!"  Once we see JESUS for Who He is, The Sinless One, there is the overwhelming conviction that we are sinners!  Scripture says, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God."  Admitting and grieving our own spiritual emptiness opens the door for Jesus to comfort us with:

• forgiveness
• salvation
• forgiveness
• acceptance
• forgiveness
• understanding
• forgiveness
• family.  

BLESSED are those who MOURN!


                                 FROM SINNER 
                                           TO 
                 SINNER JOYFULLY SAVED BY GRACE!

 

 In Matthew 5, Jesus says,

 "BLESSED are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

Join me in singing this powerful song, 
about this subject: 

A SINNER SAVED BY GRACE as sung by the Gaithers:

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If you could see what I once was... 
If you could go with me...

Back to where I started from... 
Then, I know you would see...
A miracle of LOVE that put me 
in it's sweet embraceand made me what I am today - 
just an old sinner - 
Saved by grace 
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I'm just a sinner - 
SAVED BY GRACE.
When I stood condemned to death, 
He took my place.
Now I live and breathe in freedom 
with each breath of life I take.
Back with the living...
I'm just a sinner - 
SAVED BY GRACE.
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How could I boast on anything 
I've ever seen or done?
How could I dare to claim as mine 
the victories GOD has won?
Where would I be had GOD not brought me, 
gently to this place?
I'm here to say I'm nothing but a sinner -  
SAVED BY GRACE.
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I'm just a sinner - SAVED BY GRACE.
When I stood condemned to death, 
He took my place.
Now I grow and breathe in freedom 
with each breath of life I take.
I'm LOVED and FORGIVEN...
Back with the living...
I'm just a sinner -  
SAVED BY GRACE.
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Now I grow and breathe in freedom 
with each breath of life I take.
I'm LOVED and FORGIVEN...
Back with the living...
I'm just a sinner  -  
SAVED BY GRACE... 
SAVED BY GRACE...

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LOVED and FORGIVEN...
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   Songwriters: 

Mitch Humphries

William Gaither

Gloria Gaither

GIGATTAATTGIG!

BLESSED!  

OH, THE JOY!

POST #10: JESUS' SERMON ON THE MOUNT: Squeezed! Poured out! Salt! Light!

It's been a Ketchup (Catch-up) and
Mustard (Must Do) Saturday! 

When a ketchup bottle gets squeezed, ketchup comes out.

When a mustard bottle gets squeezed, mustard comes out.

When a christian gets squeezed, what should come out?

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Jesus is telling us, in the Matthew 5 beatitudes, how a Christian is "SALT" and "LIGHT".  When a Christian gets squeezed, what should come out?  "SALT" and "Light" - according to Matthew 5:13-20. 

•  Salt for a tasteless world!
•  Light for a dark world
•  Salt to make life appetizing
•  Light to illuminate The Way

Now, back up to the beatitudes, that we began looking at in September... the verses before the SALT and LIGHT verses... explain what the ingredients to "light and salt" are -  Matthew 5:3-8:

•  ^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 gentle (meek), for they shall inherit the earth."


• ⁶ “BLESSED are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."


• ⁷ “BLESSED are the merciful, 
  for they shall receive mercy."
• ⁸ “BLESSED are the pure in heart, 

            for they shall see God."

• 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers,  

            for they will be called children of God."

• ¹⁰ Blessed are those who are                                    persecuted because of righteousness,

       for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

• ¹¹ “BLESSED are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Considering the Greek, here is how I read the above:

• ^3" OH THE JOY of being poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
• ⁴ “OH THE JOY of those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
• ⁵ “ OH THE JOY of being gentle (meek), for they shall inherit the earth."
• ⁶ “OH THE JOY of those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."
  
• ⁷ “OH THE JOY of being merciful, for they shall receive mercy."
• ⁸ “OH THE JOY of being pure in heart, for they shall see God."
• 9 "OH THE JOY of the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
• 
  
• ¹⁰ OH THE JOY of  those who are  persecuted because of righteousness, 
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• ¹¹ “OH THE JOY are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

In a limited way, I plan to be writing about each of these, on this blog, from now through December. If you are doing a year long study, you might find that I'm running ahead of you.  You can access past blog posts, as you need them, over in the right column of this blog. The posts are numbered.  Just double click on the link that you are ready for. 

BLESSED!

OH, THE JOY!

Won't me join me in singing?

Turn my heart, O Lord, like rivers of water,
Turn my heart, O Lord, by Your hand;
Till my whole life flows in the river of Your Spirit,
And my name brings honor to the Lamb. (Repeat)

Verse
Lord, I surrender to Your work in me;
I rest my life within Your loving hands.