CAROLYN’S COMPOSITIONS
A DAILY ONLINE LENTEN STUDY GUIDE: DAY 28
Monte Holland
This is the twenty-eighth in a series of daily Lenten devotionals called “Scriptural Lessons Leading to a Godly and Moral Life.” To start the study, click on: A Daily Online Lenten Study Guide: Introduction or
https://carolyncholland.wordpress.com/2010/02/16/a-daily-online-lenten-study-guide-introduction/
To view yesterday’s A DAILY ON-LINE LENTEN STUDY GUIDE click on: A Daily Online Lenten Study Guide: Day 27
Today’s photographs feature the cross on the very top of Wallberg Mountain in Germany (the white one with the Alps in the distance). The second cross is on a side slope of the same mountain. To view click on: http://ligonierliving.blogspot.com/2010/03/daily-online-lenten-study-guide-day-28.html
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Beatitudes – Matthew 5:1-12
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him:
2 and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you. American Standard Version (ASV)
Today we look at verses 3 and 4: the poor in spirit and those who mourn
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
The Contemporary English Version (CEV) of these verses is:
3 God blesses those people who depend on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven. (or the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.)
4 God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort.
The following verses are referenced in The Learning Bible (CEV) as related to the above two verses:
Isaiah 61:2 This is the year when the Lord God will show kindness to us and punish our enemies.
Psalm 37:11 the poor will take the land and enjoy the harvest.
Isaiah 55:1,2 If you are thirsty, come and drink water! If you don’t have any money, come, eat what you want! Drink wine and milk without paying a cent. Why waste your money on what really isn’t food? Why work hard for something that doesn’t satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and you will enjoy the very best foods.
The poor in spirit, or those who depend on God, will be blessed with the kingdom of heaven. Does that mean now, later, or at all times? Our faith teaches that those who put their faith in God have a future, an eternal future, with God. Jesus said in John 14 that He was going to prepare a place for us with God the Father.
What about the present? Is the Kingdom of Heaven already available to those who are poor in spirit or belong to God?
I believe (more…)
CAROLYN'S COMPOSITIONS 