Matthew 5:3 - The Poor In Spirit.
Matthew 5:3 - The Poor In Spirit.
Matthew 5:3 (KJV) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven.
The Bible presents many paradoxes that challenge our human
way of thinking. We think of the poor as possessing very little, yet
Jesus said the riches of heaven belong to the poor in spirit.
Self-reliance robs us of God's good gifts.
Jesus insisted that in order to follow Him we must deny self.
As long as we rely on our own resources, we will never place our
trust in Him. As we acknowledge the poverty of our souls, we realize
how desperately we need a Savior. Jesus declared: "Repent! For the
kingdom of heaven is near" (Mt 4:17). God has so much to give the one
who recognizes his need and will call upon Jesus!
Jesus said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of
a needle than it is for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.
He had just encountered the rich ruler, who valued his possessions
so much that he could not give them up to follow Jesus (Lu
18:18-24). Jesus later encountered Zaccheus, a wealthy, notorious sinner
(Lu 19:1-10). Despite Zaccheus's material wealth, he recognized his
spiritual poverty and found salvation. Jesus taught the disciples that
true wealth is found in a relationship with God. Those who realize
their inherent spiritual poverty apart from God will trust in Him, and
He will enrich their lives immeasurably. Do not allow your
resources, wisdom, talent, or abilities to prevent you from trusting the
One who can bring you abundant life. [Experiencing God Day by Day by
Henry and Richard Blackaby re Mat. 5:3]
All was quiet in the eighteenth-floor corner office. My boss
was out of town, and my normally hectic workday would be quite the
opposite. Out of habit I filled his twin silver pitchers with coffee and
water and then shook my head at the wasted effort.
I sat down in his massive leather armchair and looked out at
the clouds over downtown Houston. I began to contemplate the many
empty relationships I had built with family and friends, when God
brought to mind the opening words of the Sermon on the Mount. That first
beatitude had always left me wondering to whom Jesus was referring when he
talked about "the poor in spirit:"
In that moment, God opened my eyes to the unseen realm. It
was me. I was among the poorest of the poor, totally dependent on
the King. I had been busy manipulating relationships from my own
selfish motivations and judgmental attitudes, but the truth is that I
have no power to change anyone. That is God's job. In that new-found
humility, I yielded control to him and found myself a changed person. Now,
years later, my relationships - the people God brings into my life -
are a source of rich joy and even give me a taste of what it will be
like in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Janell Price, a writer and editor, has retired from the
communications industry and a flat megalopolis to live in rural hill country.
[The One Year Bible Live Verse Devotional]
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. So when you're acutely aware of your insufficiency - rejoice!
This is what being poor in spirit is all about. The world applauds
self-sufficiency, and bookstores abound with volumes designed to help you reach
this goal. However, this is not the way of My kingdom. I want My
children to recognize and rejoice in their utter dependence on Me.
You have been saved by grace, through faith. Both grace and
faith are gifts! Your part is to be receptive and responsive to these
glorious gifts. The best response is gratitude - a heart overflowing with
thankfulness for all I have done. You are exceedingly blessed because the
kingdom of heaven is yours. When the strain of living in this fallen
world is getting you down, resist the temptation to feel sorry for
yourself. Instead, say to yourself, "I am blessed and thankful - and on my
way to Glory!" (Mat. 5:3; Eph. 2:8; 2Co. 9:15; Psa. 73:24) [Jesus
Today by Sarah Young]
Come to Me with your gaping emptiness, knowing that in Me you
are complete. As you rest quietly in My Presence, My Light within
you grows brighter and brighter. Facing the emptiness inside you is
simply the prelude to being filled with My fullness. Therefore, rejoice
on those days when you drag yourself out of bed, feeling sluggish
and inadequate. Tell yourself that this is a perfect day to depend
on Me in childlike trust. If you persevere in this dependence as
you go through the day, you will discover at bedtime that Joy and
Peace have become your companions. You may not realize at what point
they joined you on your journey, but you will feel the beneficial
effects of their presence. The perfect end to such a day is a doxology
of gratitude. I am He from whom all blessings flow! [2 Cor. 4:6;
Mat. 5:3, 6; Col. 2:9, 10; Psa. 150:6] [Jesus Calling by Sarah
Young]
I am ever so near you, hovering over your shoulder, reading
every thought. People think that thoughts are fleeting and worthless,
but yours are precious to Me. I smile when you think lovingly of Me.
My Spirit, who lives within you, helps you to think My thoughts. As
your thinking goes, so goes your entire being.
Let Me be your positive Focus. When you look to Me, knowing
Me as God with you, you experience Joy. This is according to My
ancient design, when I first crafted man. Modern man seeks his positive
focus elsewhere: in sports, sensations, acquiring new possessions.
Advertising capitalizes on the longing of people for a positive focus in
their lives. I planted that longing in human souls, knowing that only
I could fully satisfy it. Delight yourself in Me; let Me become
the Desire of your heart. (Mat. 1:23; Psa. 37:4) [Deu. 31:6; Pro.
4:23; Mat. 5:3] [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20051010-1030.html
SPECIAL VIDEO ON SEEKING GOD
http://vimeo.com/31489782
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDY GUIDES:
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Guides:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
