Tag Archives: Matthew 5:1-12

Bless You

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Blessed – God’s presence with us.  Blessed – worthy of praise.  Blessed – consecrated to God.

How do I live a blessed life?  A life that brings glory to God?  A life that brings God’s presence in places where it might not be?  How will my commitment to him show?

Less of me, gives more space for God.  How can I make more space for him – in my life, in the world I inhabit?  Where do I need to stand back?  And let God in?

When I know what I’ve lost, there is room for God’s healing.  When I’ve lost the most important thing in my life, God holds me tight and fills the space.  Is there anything I need to let go of?  Anywhere I need to let God in?  My pain that I can hand to him?

When I’m happy with who and what I am and what I have, I no longer waste time chasing the impossible.  I know what matters and that I have it.  That is contentment.  What do I need to stop chasing?  What can I be grateful for?  Can I live with myself and my lot?

When I know what are the right things to hunger and thirst for I can be satisfied.  Am I stuffing myself with the wrong food?  Unhealthy food?  So full of empty calories, I have no room for what I do need?

Showing care to others is always the only way to live.  In being kind we find kindness, hope and peace in our lives.  How can I show care?  To whom can I show kindness – even if I don’t feel it?  How can my life show mercy and love?

Being right on the inside is the way to make my outside world right.  Letting God in will help me to find God without and around me.  Where do I need to let God in?  How can I sort my insides out?  What will that look like on my outside?

Showing people how to co-operate not fight – that starts with me.  It’s my responsibility to live out that way, your way, so that others can see it.  In so doing, I may lose my need to fight, because I will know where I am and to whom I belong.  How can I stop fighting?  How can I encourage others not to?  How can I model it?

It seems weird, but being persecuted for living God’s way is a Good Thing.  It’s the way Jesus went.  It means we’re getting something right. We’re in good company.  Would anyone notice I was living God’s way to care about it?  Does my faith show enough to upset anyone?

Matthew 5:1-12 (MSG)

You’re Blessed

5 1-2 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. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

The Beatitudes

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You’re Blessed

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It is usually difficult to see the good in a situation you are in when it is difficult.  When our world seems turned upside down, we can feel anything but blessed.  Sometimes hindsight provides a different perspective, but not always.  Sometimes we just have to come at it from a different angle.

Matthew 5:1-12 (MSG)

You’re Blessed

5 1-2 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. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Much has been written about The Beatitudes over time, so I have used the version from The Message, it breathes some fresh air.  It is difficult to know what to offer to add to it.  Here Jesus is setting out the new understanding of life that following him will bring.  It is not about all the shiny things you will have, all the many riches that will be poured upon, health, wealth and happiness.  No, what Jesus is bringing is something way beyond that, much deeper – and much better.  Blessings running counter to popular expectation and understanding, and in that way being far more significant, life-changing and useful.

It reminds me in a way of the Covenant Prayer, finding God’s purpose and blessing in the ways we might not choose – in usefulness and in feeling useless, in pain and pleasure, in being busy and in feeling overlooked, in thinking we have everything and feeling we have nothing; but giving ourselves, wholeheartedly, to God and allowing him to do his stuff.  Letting God reach us, touch us, heal us, fill us, take us on a journey with him and allow him to use our lives.

Lord,
I offer myself to you.
In my pain,
my anguish,
my questions,
my emptiness,
my hunger,
when I feel bereft,
hurt,
abandoned
and used.
Work in me,
I pray;
and may I know
that I am blessed.

Praise God

Bless You

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We’ve all heard people say how blessed they are.  That’s usually when they think about their life and family, the good things they have to enjoy.

We don’t expect someone to consider themselves blessed if they are suffering or struggling.

Jesus always puts a different light on things!

This version of the Beatitudes from The Message version of the Bible, are beautiful, and shed a whole new light on their meaning for us today:

Matthew 5:1-12

The Message (MSG)

You’re Blessed

5 1-2 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. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Jesus isn’t just trying to look for the good points in suffering and troubles, but showing what they mean about us and his kingdom.  These are all about right priorities – and God being there in that.  Our weaknesses allow God’s strength to come through. Our struggles are sometimes our successes. Our short comings are where God steps in.  People’s opposition show we’re doing something right.

God so wants to bless you – will you let him?

And as he blesses you, will you bless those around you?

Thank you God

that you pour so many blessings on me,

those I see

and those I don’t recognize.

Help me to live by faith in you,

to walk in your ways,

and let you make me the person

you have in mind for me to be