What Jesus Did : Matthew 5:3 - In Need of God
by Phil Ware
In Need of God - Matthew 5:3
"What great blessings there are for the people that know they have spiritual needs! The kingdom of heaven belongs to them." (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
The Kingdom family is made up of people who know they have deep spiritual needs. When we come into the presence of God, we are awed into a profound sense of humility in his presence as well as a deep conviction of our lack of holiness and character before his majesty. While we deeply want to be like our Father, we recognize that our greatest sacrifice and efforts to live Godly lives cannot make us worthy to approach God. Yet God urges us to come to him. So we come, but with humility and thanksgiving, knowing that it is only by his grace and Jesus' gift that we can come.
Today's Prayer
Holy and majestic God, I come to you, unworthy to even speak in your presence, yet you graciously welcome me as your child. Thank you for the many ways you have blessed me and filled my life with joy, meaning, and hope. All that I have that is good has come because of your blessing. Your strength and mercy have given me the ability to face the difficulties and tragedies of my life. My hopes and dreams are in your hands. Thank you for caring for me. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Jesus saw the many people that were there. So Jesus went up on a hill and sat down. His followers came to him. Jesus taught the people. He said: "What great blessings there are for the people that {know they} have spiritual needs! The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. What great blessings there are for the people that are sad now! God will comfort them. What great blessings there are for the people that are humble! They will have the land {God promised}. What great blessings there are for the people that want to do right more than anything else ! God will fully satisfy them. What great blessings there are for the people that give mercy to other people! Mercy will be given to them. What great blessings there are for the people that are pure in their thinking! They will be with God. What great blessings there are for the people that work to bring peace! God will call them his sons and daughters. What great blessings there are for the people that are treated badly for doing good! The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. "People will say bad things against you and hurt you. They will lie and say all kinds of evil things against you because you follow me. But when people do those things to you, know that God will bless you. Be happy and glad. You have a great reward waiting for you in heaven. People did those same bad things to the prophets that lived before you. "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its taste, then it cannot be made salty again. Salt is good for nothing, if it loses its salty taste. It must be thrown out and people walk on it. "You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. And people don't hide a light under a bowl. No. People put the light on a lamp table. Then the light shines for all the people in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that people will see the good things you do. Live so that people will praise your Father in heaven.-- Matthew 5:1-16 (ERV)
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