The Bible declares a resounding "Yes!" And in these eight Beatitudes, Jesus points the way. In each one of the Beatitudes—which someone has called the "beautiful attitudes"—Jesus used the word blessed. (Google image, The 8 Beatitudes) Good post!
This word blessed is actually a very difficult word to translate into modern English, because in the original Greek language of the New Testament, it has a far richer meaning than the everyday content of our English word.
As we noted at the beginning of this chapter, the Amplified Version of the New Testament defines it as "happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction . . ."
But perhaps the word happy comes as close as any single English word to conveying the idea of "blessed" to us today, and that is the word we will use for the most part through this book.
But let us never forget that the "blessedness" of which Jesus speaks is far, far deeper than any superficial happiness which comes and goes according to circumstances. That is why the word blessed guards well against its reduction and perversion.
Jesus' first words were "Happy are ye." In those three words He was telling us that there is an answer to our search! We can know peace. We can know the truth about our lives. We can know God. And because of that, we can be blessed!
But is that possible, or is Jesus simply speaking some high-sounding words which have no substance? To answer that, look first of all at Jesus Himself.
Certainly if anyone had genuine happiness and blessedness, it was Jesus—in spite of the controversy, abuse, and eventual injustice of His death. He knew the secret of true happiness, and in these Beatitudes He unveils it to us.
(Chapter one, pp. 8, 9)
By Billy Graham
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Copy right 2011 by Billy Graham
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Let's pray-
Father, as every person ever born yearns for peace, purpose and You, their Creator, our quest for true happiness can be satisfied in Jesus, our Savior.
May we not forget that the "blessedness" of which He speaks is far deeper than any superficial happiness which comes and goes with our circumstances.
By giving us the Beatitudes, Jesus tells us that there is an answer to our search. We can know peace and truth about our lives, and come to know You, our heavenly Father. We can be blessed!
May we continue to learn from Jesus what true happiness is. We ask this in His name. Amen
May we not forget that the "blessedness" of which He speaks is far deeper than any superficial happiness which comes and goes with our circumstances.
By giving us the Beatitudes, Jesus tells us that there is an answer to our search. We can know peace and truth about our lives, and come to know You, our heavenly Father. We can be blessed!
May we continue to learn from Jesus what true happiness is. We ask this in His name. Amen
Today's Bible verses-
Matt. 5:3-10 The Beatitudes
of heaven.
4. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for 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 those who are persecuted for righteousness'
sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Today's quote-
~ Oswald Chambers- To say that “prayer changes things” is not as close to the truth as saying, “Prayer changes me and then I change things.” God has established things so that prayer, on the basis of redemption, changes the way a person looks at things. Prayer is not a matter of changing things externally, but one of working miracles in a person’s inner nature.
(From My Utmost for His Highest Updated Edition)
Words of wisdom-
~ Our conversion gives us a "bent" toward obeying God.
Today's guest post-
How to Find Peace in This Troubled World
10 more of 80 things our
GOD IS
GOD IS
Author of Salvation Heb. 2:10
Full of Power Rom. 13:1
A God Who Raises the Dead 2 Cor. 1:9
A Quickening Spirit 1 Cor. 15:45
Mighty to Save Is. 63:1
Our Maker Is. 54:5
Our Heavenly Father Matt. 6
The Justifier of the One Who Has Faith in Jesus Rom. 3:26
Meeting Our Needs Through Jesus Phil. 4:19
Giving Us the Peace that Surpasses Understanding Phil. 4:7
List of recent sermons of CFC ministers. CFC Potsdam NY church has a live service at 10 am Sunday's for shut-ins. If for some reason you can't make it to the church you usually attend, click on the above link, and still get fed!
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