Archive for the ‘ Lifestyle ’ Category
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
James 5:13, ESV
We should pray in all circumstances, knowing God is near the brokenhearted, and He celebrates with us as we worship Him.
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;”
Joel 2:12, ESV
Our sin should drive into humble seeking of God and His righteousness. It is to our benefit, His glory, and a light to the world.
Because God forgives those who mourn their sin and repent.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21, ESV
Many in this world pursue their own agendas and hurt many others, but we are called by Christ to show love and compassion to all. Even those who revile us.
“no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”
Isaiah 54:17, ESV
When found in Christ, the worst people can do to us is kill us, for they would be sending us to God.
And we have truth on our side, so we can preach with boldness.
I have started a small group series on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). I am sharing my notes in case anyone else wants to use them with their group.
Matthew 5:1-2:
Jesus wants to teach the crowds: Who are they? Jewish disciples: People who understand the
Scriptures (at least to a point). Notice from 7:28 the crowds still came along, but this teaching is for His disciples.
What does “blessed” mean? How do you understand it?
The word “blessed” appears 306 times in the ESV Bible (in 288 verses; 302x in 287 vv. in KJV)
Happy (definitely deeper than this), Revered, Content, Worshiped, Made holy, Fortunate, Well-off
Matthew 5:10-12:
The first several verses tell us it is blessed (brings joy, contentment, peace) to find salvation in Christ
What then happens in the life of the Christian?
Now we read:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:10-12, ESV
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
v. 10-11: Firstly, notice the first phrase to be repeated: “theirs is the kingdom of heaven?” (from v. 3)
• We mourn their sin as we mourn our own. It is no longer “me vs. the world” but “Here am I, send
me!” (Isaiah 6:8)
• We are letting God change us – Romans 12:1-2
When we allow God to change the way we see, think about, and interact with our world, it becomes
easier to live out these qualities and not act like the world.
(Doing/believing/teaching what is right – by GOD’S STANDARD)
[READ 2 Timothy 2:22-26]
[READ 2 Timothy 2:22-27]
Taking a stand for truth (The Gospel and God’s standard) forces the world to face their sins. Do we like being told we’re wrong?
Seeing their sin results in lashing out: verbally, physically, emotionally
• 2 Timothy 2:8-12; 1 Peter 4:12-19 (Romans 1:16-17)
So, we show compassion. What does compassion mean? (Feeling with others, joining in their experience. “I was you. I, too, rejected God and sinned.”)
So, then, what does it mean to be blessed, I light of these 10-12 verses?
To join in Christ’s passion: His suffering, His sacrifice, His love, His grace. It seems Jesus speaks of
those who find contentment in life as they are made holy.
Jude 17-25
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11, ESV
We faithfully share the Gospel. God uses it in ways we may never know to change hearts and minds to His glory.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15, ESV
Do we interpret the Bible and the Gospel to benefit our lives now, or do we see the need to faithfully interpret for the benefit and salvation of others?
Do we read it merely as about how great we are or as about how great God is and the world’s need for His truth?
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57, ESV
In Christ, Death has no more hold on us. Hold firm to His promises, and fear not what people may do to us, for we await eternal life with our Lord.
For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Matthew 7:8, ESV
God is first and foremost concerned with His glory and the salvation of our souls. Therefore, may not grant every request we make. He gives salvation, forgiveness, mercy, grace, and wisdom in abundance (and He does like to give us other things, as well.)
a simple man of God 