Michael Harrison's e-devotion

I had the opportunity to lead our youth yesterday in Bible study and shared with them from the Beatitudes.  The section of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5.  It always leads me back to the place where I am grateful that God guides us with truth and love. So in this e-devotion I give you that portion of Scripture from The Message.  As you read notice that things that stick out to you… Matthew 5 (the Message)  When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said: 3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. 4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. 5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less....

  One of my favorite Bible passages is called the “Sermon on the Mount” and is found in Matthew chapters 5-7.  Today I want to ask you to read the part we know as the Beattitudes.  These are insightful for the Christian. Take not of the attitude of the person who chooses to follow Jesus… Matthew 5:3-10  NASB   Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. There are two other pieces that are vitally importa...

  One of the greatest or best known passages of Scripture is called the Beatitudes.  It is found in Matthew 5 and is one of the first sermons that Jesus shared. The first verse is telling.  It says that Jesus taught because he saw the multitudes.  He understood their need, saw their heartache, and their place in life.  These things are the essence of living for Christ and knowing our need for God. Take a few minutes to read through these verses.  It is from a translation we don’t read very often.  So, it will sound a little different, but the realties are strong and needed. Matthew 5:1-12  GWT When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up a mountain and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them: 3  “Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless.  The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. 4 Blessed are those who mourn. They will be comforted. 5  Blessed are those who are gentle. They will inheri...

Some things we want are really bad?   Are the things you want the best things?   Are you pursuing God or one of millions of other things?   What we want says a lot about us. Philippians 4:11  NASB Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be  content  in whatever circumstances I am. That is the verse the Apostle Paul shared with a group of people that he loved and was struggling.   Literally he said I have learned how to live with much, and he turned the other direction to say that he learned how to live with almost nothing. Even King David asked God to help him stay close by not giving him too much or too little.   It is easy to be unbalanced and to want things that keep us away from God.   Something we need to learn. Matthew 5:6   NASB Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. What are you hungry for?   Not always easy to answer.   Yet the ...

The Beatitudes of Matthew 5 have always been intriguing to me as well as a standard for looking at the character of the people pursuing Jesus.   I believe these verses are some that Jesus shared with His disciples many times.   These are big deals and strong character points. As you read through these verses today you might want to grab your Bible and read this from other translations of the Bible.   The one I share with from the paraphrase called “The Message”, and this one makes me stop and think. We need Jesus.   Pursing our Savior takes us to a new level.   This commitment of following Jesus brings results or rewards that many would like.   But realize that I am asking you and me to follow Jesus just so we can get rewarded.   I am suggesting that the purity of loving God and following Him will lead to some incredible time and even more of what John 10:10 calls abundant life. Matthew 5:3-12   MSG 3  “You’re blessed when y...