Day 5 Matthew 5:1-3

Hey Guys,
Thank you for your patience with putting the study on pause. I will take some time tonight to go over the study with everyone, so hopefully that will clear up any confusion for those who really desire to be apart of "follower.".

Summary...
My heart is heavy today, and I simply can not get past the first beatitude. As I was studying this text I found out that the Sermon on the Mount was not a one-time message that Jesus taught. I often have read Matthew 5 and thought that the message Jesus was delivering had to be over 2 hours long...there just is a ton of info in Matthew 5! Well as it turns out, Jesus taught much longer than a couple of hours. My study said that the Sermon on the Mount was a compilation of teachings by Jesus that were crucial for His disciples to know. In other words, the Sermon on the Mount was the "win" for all disciples of Christ. It is thought that after Jesus picked His 12 disciples, He went off some where...Matthew 5:1...sat down and began to teach and to train them for their ministries. That really stands out to me, because I consider myself a disciple, a learner and follower of Jesus, so this chapter of Scripture is the framework on how to live for our awesome Savior!

And this is why...I know you are not really allowed to start a sentence with and but it is my blog and I'll do what ever I want with it...I have been stuck on Matthew 5:3...the first Beatitude. If what we are about to read in Matthew 5 is the manual on how to be a true "follower" of Christ, the first Beatitude needs to catch your eye as well.

"God blesses those who realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them."

Desperate is the word that I can not get off my mind and it will even be what I talk about some what tonight during fusion. You know what I mean when I say desperate...meaning are YOU desperate for God...yes or no? I think this was the first Beatitude not by chance or luck but because it is the most crucial. God blesses those who are poor in spirit or who realize their need for Him...does that describe you? Are you desperate for God, or are you some what into God meaning you just a need dose of God every now and then and you are fine. When was the last time you lied awake because you did not spend any time with Jesus that day and because of it you could not sleep at all! Are you desperate for Jesus, how badly do you need Him?

I am sitting here absolutely stuffed from a subway sub. As I was shoving the last bite of the 6 inch sub in my mouth I was full, and really did not want any more of the sub as I had another 6 inch left to go. In that moment it hit me, when was the last time I was so "stuffed" with God? When was the last time I really hungered and thirst for Him? Desperate...I am telling you it is the word that consumes my mind in this moment.

I don't know about you, but I would love to have the blessing of God on my life. And His word is promising I will be blessed when I realize my need for Him. So it is gut check time...are you desperate for Jesus? Do realize and understand how badly you need Him?

Lord Jesus I am so sorry i am who I am, a sinner. But I thank you for being who You are, a Savior! I want you badly in my life, I NEED you badly in my life. Help us to become better "followers" of You, and may it start right here with this first Beatitude, or this first teaching from You on how to live out our lives for You. I love You so much Lord, and I praise You for who You are! In Jesus Name...Amen.

Reflect...
Instead of questions, just take some time to reflect on your need for Jesus. really open up and be honest, do you need Jesus Christ in your life? Take some time to sit before Him and let Him point out some things to You, and ask him to make you and I desperate for Him! I'll be praying for all of you...

Come ready tonight to meet with Him tonight...

tom