20151102 WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN AND HEARD?

WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN AND HEARD?

Mat 11:4-6 Jesus told them, "Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—  (5)  the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.  (6)  And tell him, 'God blesses those who do not turn away because of Me. '"

The question asked of Jesus at this point was inspired by John the Baptist. He sent his disciples to ask, “Are you the Messiah?” Based on Jesus’ answer these followers of John had been with Him long enough to see some of His miracles.

How long have you walked with Jesus? What have you seen and heard? If someone asked you about Jesus what would your answer be? Would it be just the academic answers from Sunday School or would you be able to recount blessings and miracles?

I guess the real question here is this, “Is your walk with God just academic or is it a relationship full of stories you can share about His goodness, His character, His provision, love, joy, peace?” Only you and God can answer that question. I urge you to spend some time meditating on that question today.

Father in heaven, thank You that you desire such a relationship with us. May we be found faithful in walking with You and in sharing You with others. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

POOR IN SPIRIT

POOR IN SPIRIT

Matthew 5:3  "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him,  for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

The word “poor” here can be either literal or figurative. In this case it is often translated, “poor in spirit.” Either way it is a picture of one who sees his need for help which he cannot provide himself, nor can any human source. God alone can help. God alone can suffice.

Those who are humble enough to see they need God are the ones Jesus is talking about. We live in a world of “self-made men and women.” They take credit for all their accomplishments and claim to have no need of their Creator. In many cases they mock Him and proclaim, “Look what I have built, what I have done.” The Kingdom of Heaven is not theirs. It is reserved for the humble who know they need their Creator.

1.  The poor in spirit are those who are contentedly poor. They are thankful for what they have and set out to use it for God’s glory, but if all they have is taken from them they do not fret for no one can take their greatest treasure from them. No one can remove their Savior, Friend, God.

2.  The poor in spirit are humble and lowly in their own eyes. They value others more than themselves. When others are blessed they rejoice. When others weep they weep with them.

3.  The poor in spirit have no confidence in their own righteousness. They rely fully on the finished work of Christ on the cross of Calvary for their salvation. They do works of righteousness not to earn God’s love, but because they love God who first loved them. They are confident in His love, keeping their eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

Father in heaven, grant that we may hold fast to You, keeping our eyes on Jesus. Help us to hold the things of this world loosely enough that should you see the need to remove them from us, we willingly release them with no sorrow. Rather may we release them with joy knowing that Your love has something better in store for us, knowing that You will never leave us, nor forsake us. Grant also, that we may serve You without fear of punishment, but with love for You. Free our hearts to by humble. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

-The idea for the three points on “poor in spirit” are taken from Matthew Henry’s commentary on Matthew.