Blessed are hte poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ~ Matt. 5:3
Although I started out a bit confused, it was good to meditate on the eight qualities from the Beatitudes.
1. What BLESSED you most this lesson?
2. What CHALLENGED you most and how do you intend to apply it (with prayer and the help of the Holy Spirit)?
3. Prayer requests and other comments.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
1. What BLESSED you most this lesson?
The depth of the blessing of each beatitude. Every time I go over these words from our Lord, my understanding of the measure of each promise widens, deepens, and becomes more significant. How truly undeserving we are to be graced with such promises and blessings!
2. What CHALLENGED you most and how do you intend to apply it (with prayer and the help of the Holy Spirit)?
This week I was challenged more than I ever have been by the depth of my ugly pride. I was guilty of the thought that my shortcomings could be overcome if I exerted enough of my own strength and power, and that such efforts would result in an increase of my personal holiness. Foolishness! How utterly sinful and self-exalting I am to begin to think that my own ambition and pride could not only overcome any of my sin, but also somehow earn my place in the book of righteousness! The beatitude that spoke to me loudest was this one: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." I will not inherit anything if I continue to live in pride instead of meekness, lowliness, and humility. I had to resubmit my total self to the Spirit's leading, and I had to remind myself to DENY myself, take up my cross, and follow HIM. More than ever, I pray that the depths of my being would be filled with His goodness and guided by His leadership, rather than my selfishness and proud ambition.
3. Prayer requests and other comments.
Please pray for more humility to remember and apply daily - with the Lord's strength - the basic, essential understanding of who I really am: a guilty sinner unworthily forgiven and exceedingly blessed by a gracious, loving God.
:) hello dear ones!
i have a praise report - i'm all caught up! aaahhh, PRAISE GOD! thank you so much for praying, because God answered!
1. What BLESSED you most this lesson?
how the first four beatitudes are about our need to receive from God, and the last four are about the command to give for God. what a beautiful mystery! we are utterly impoverished, mournful, base, and hungry before His throne - wretched, naked, blind, helpless. yet in our most pitiful state, He pours Himself out for us, to the point where we must overflow outward to reach those around us.
2. What CHALLENGED you most and how do you intend to apply it (with prayer and the help of the Holy Spirit)?
i think meditating on the first four beatitudes was the biggest challenge to me. anyone can play the Christian part and say that they *need* God, but does the testimony of our actions match up with the profession of our mouths? i heard from a sermon a little while ago that our view of God dictates the way we live our lives. the reason why we sin is because we do not have a right view of God - we do not view Him as GREAT enough, HOLY enough, WORTHY enough to fear. isn't that so true? every sin i commit is testament to my utterly LOW view of my God, indicating a heart that does not sense my poverty, hunger, and absolute and desperate NEED for Him. i earnestly pray that the Lord would both convict and enrapture us in His FULNESS.
3. Prayer requests and other comments.
there is a classmate that i have been praying for for some months...i shared the gospel with her in december, but at that time, she did not commit to Christ. this semester, we see each other often because of class, and recently, she expressed that even though she wanted to become a Christian, she was still hesitant. i suggested that we read the Bible together, which she was willing to do :). please pray that the Lord would tarry, and that, if it pleases Him, He would save her. please pray for me also, to be Christlike in action, and desperately prayerful in thought. :) one last thing! please pray that i would remember to seek God's glory in this situation - not her salvation - whether that is in His mercy in saving her, or His justice in judging her.
thank you!
Post a Comment