What Does Being Blessed Mean?

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

5 “Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

He said:

3 “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 meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

On Sunday my Pastor preached about the scripture above. During his sermon he told a story about a former neighbor of his who made a lot of money and did not mind telling people about it. It wasn’t that this man is a bad person or someone that people disliked, he is a very nice and sociable person in fact when my Pastor asked him how he was doing he said, “Man I am so blessed!” 

My Pastor said after getting in his car he thought is that really what Jesus meant when He said someone is blessed? 

Obviously when you read the Beatitudes you realize it’s the on going flipping of the worldly narrative. 

We see the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, the ones who hunger for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers and the persecuted who are called blessed. 

Compare that to the world. The world’s version of being blessed is money, prosperity and happiness. Who Jesus called blessed would be considered cursed by the standards of the world. 

The world’s standards are so much different than God’s. 

I actually found a wonderful article that I think articulates the meaning of being “Blessed”. I would like to share that with you to close this weeks blog entry: 
https://openthebible.org/article/what-does-it-really-mean-to-be-blessed/

Have a (truly) Blessed Week, 
Chris 

Source: 
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A1-12&version=NIV

The Frivolous Pursuit of Happiness

I hear a lot things like, “I just want to be happy” or “when will it be my turn to be happy?”

Businesses and people market things by telling people to find something or someone to make you happy. 

This mentality leads to people making their entire lives revolve around being happy.

And you know what? That is selfish.

Sounds harsh, I know. But if your entire life is about making yourself happy than the above statement is true.

Not only is it selfish but it is an empty pursuit.

Happiness is incredibly fleeting. 

Think about when you got something that made you incredibly happy. Could be a toy as a kid, a gift as an adult, something you bought. 

How long did that happiness last? How long before the item just became another thing in your life?

How long before you needed something else to make you happy? 

Maybe it’s a fun event you went to or a vacation, at the time it made you happy but then it was over and you needed to do something else to make you happy.

Heck there’s been times where I have gone back to a town I visited that was a lot of fun and made me happy when I was there only to feel depressed because the town no longer gave me the same feeling. I was pursuing a fleeting emotion. 

This leads to people having relationships that are purely built on making themselves happy. Even marriages that are built on the foundation of happiness. What happens in that relationship or marriage when happiness leaves? 

It will collapse.

Which will make you unhappy.

Truly if your goal in life is happiness you will spend most of your life unhappy. 

So what should you pursue?

You should pursue the supplier of all things good.

God.

Pursue God and your life will be filled. Filled with purpose.

It will be a life that is about self sacrifice and serving God and His creation. A life that has true meaning. 

Yes there will be happiness along the way but in addition to that, true joy, peace and love.

A life where you truly enjoy the happy moments and our grateful. Not waiting for the next new person, place or thing. 

A life where you have all you need because you have God. Because in the end what good is it to gain the world and forfeit your soul?

Have a Blessed Week,

Chris 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2021

The past couple of years I have made posts on Dr. Martin Luther King on MLK Day, well this year I have decided to share my blog entry from 2021 as I really like the content in the entry and the online service my church did for that week.

In addition here is a link to last year’s entry as well: https://thegoodword2016.wordpress.com/2022/01/17/martin-luther-king-jr-day-2022/

I hope everyone has a blessed week,
Chris

The Good Word

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was an amazing man. Every time I have heard him speak in videos he gives me goosebumps. I have to admit I do not know enough about this man. But he was a true a hero and treasure to America and to the Kingdom of God.

Here are a few quotes from the great Dr. King I saw on an article (I will post the link to the full list of quotes below)…

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

“Always be sure that you struggle with Christian methods and Christian weapons. Never succumb to the temptation of becoming bitter. As you press on for justice, be sure to move with dignity and discipline, using only the weapon of love.”

“It may well be that we will have to repent in…

View original post 160 more words

Newness

Revelation 21:5 (The New King James Version) 
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

We are now in a new year. And while everyone is talking about the “new year” it’s the same old, same old. People are making new resolutions and promises. 

Which will lead to new failures and broken promises. 

Often then people will just wait till next year to try all over again. 

But what if there was something different? 

What if I told you about a way to truly change and see the world the way it was intended? 

Through the eyes of Jesus Christ. 

This world is cursed by sin and the wages of sin is death. We are all flawed and fall short of the Glory of God. 

But does God look down on us? Does God hate us? 

No, God loves us. He made us in His image and sent His son Jesus to die in our place so we can be reconciled to Him and have eternal life. 

When you accept Christ, the Holy Spirit will indwell in you and you can truly change when you live by the Spirit of God. 

Not only will you be saved from Hell but you can also be transformed through sanctification. Go see and hear testimonies from people whose entire lives have been changed through Jesus Christ. 

Not only can your life be transformed by Jesus now but also there will be a day where He will make all things new. No more pain, no more suffering, no more sin. 

But you know what? That is not even the Good News of the Gospel. You see I am sure many people may read this and say, “I’m good. I am fine the way that I am, if I need change I can do it my way. I don’t need Jesus.”

But let me ask you this, does your way get you out of hell? 

Because Jesus said He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. That no man comes to the Father except through Him. When you stand before God who is a righteous judge will you attempt to show yourself and your good works as means to save yourself? 

A righteous judge can not let you go without justice. But if you accept Jesus’ sacrifice as payment for your sins you will not face hell. 

So I ask you to please… 

Remember God’s resolution. 

Remember God’s promise. 

Remember His Word. 

And Have a Blessed Week, 
Chris 

Source: 
https://biblia.com/bible/nkjv/revelation/21/5

More on This Verse: 
https://www.gotquestions.org/I-make-all-things-new.html

There Will Be a Day (Jeremy Camp):