BLESSED

More than 400 times the terms BLESS, BLESSING, BLESSED appear in the Bible.

8 of those occur in Jesus’ introduction to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). As the Master begins to instruct his disciples on what it means to be a kingdom of God-centered individual, he begins 8 statements with the same word – BLESSED. Each of the 8 statements clarifies an attitude that grounds the follower of Jesus.

In Matthew 5:3, Jesus informs us, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The initial attitude that reflects Kingdom people is POOR IN SPIRIT. The attitude proclaims that we are absolutely dependent on God. Jesus points out that even if we are stripped of all resources, we still have all we need – GOD.

This attitude that’s foundational to Christlikeness is the opposite of the attitude often expressed in the world’s culture. Some even mistakenly quote this false idea as scriptural – “Well, you know the Bible says that God helps those who help themselves.” Not only are those words never found in God’s Word, Jesus instructs us in Matthew 5:3 that the kingdom of heaven begins among those who are POOR IN SPIRIT.

Throughout the coming week, may our attitude be LORD, I AM ABSOLUTELY, TOTALLY, COMPLETELY DEPENDENT ON YOU…FOR EVERYTHING!