Poor in Spirit-Q&A

Jesus is considered by scholars such as Weber to be an example of a charismatic religious leader. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Poor in Spirit-Q&A

1. Measure yourself on this mental attitude-1 being LOW and 4 being HIGH. I have come to the place where I can really feel accepted by God when I feel most unacceptable to myself. I recognize my need for God and know that I do not have to earn His love with wealth, status, or spiritual sophistication.

2. Also measure whether you have the ability to accept yourself and your imperfections and to enable others to be more accepting.

3. How does the promised blessing of entering the kingdom of God would compare with most people in the world prize? Would kingdom people admired in your society? Why or why not?

Inspiration

“Sacred delight is good news coming through the back door of your heart. It’s what you’d always dreamed but never expected. It’s the too-good-to-be-true coming true. It’s having God as your pinch-hitter, your lawer, your dad, your biggest fan, and your best friend. God on your side, in your heart, but in front, and protecting your back. It is hope where you least expected it. A flower in life’s sidewalk.”

“It is this sacred because only God can grant it. It is a delight because it thrills. Since it is sacred, it can’t be stolen. And since it is delightful, it can’t be predicted.

It was this gladness that danced through the Red Sea. It was this joy that blew the trumpet at Jericho. It was this secret that made Mary sing. It was this surprise that put the springtime into Easter morning.

It is this sacred delight that Jesus promises in the Sermon on the Mount.

Nine times he promises to in . And he promises it to an unlikely crowd:

‘The poor in spirit…. Those who mourn…. The meek…. Those who hunger and thirst…. The merciful…. The pure in hour…. The peacemakers…. The persecuted….

It is to this band of pilgrims that God promises a special blessing. A heavenly joy. A sacred delight.”

(From The Applause of Heaven by Max Lucado)

How are you fulfilling Jesus’ command to be perfect before God? Do you fall short by lying, lusting, cheating, coveting, or gossiping? When you battle one of these temptations, instead of giving in, pray, sing a worship song, or think of a memorized verse. Praise God instead of giving in.