The Sermon on the Mount - 2

Key Lesson No. 2

 

Matthew 5:4 … “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

 

            In the world we live in being happy must come at any cost for the ungodly. So when tragedy strikes, they have no idea how to react, so they overreact. They largely blame God, which is interesting to me. They don’t pray to God, worship God, or serve him in any capacity, yet he is the first name that comes to their lips when things go awry. That along with using his name as a curse. As a side note, isn’t it interesting in a tragic sense, that the name God and / or Jesus Christ are the only names of deities’ that are verbalized as curses? Not Buddha, or Hari Krishna or Mohammed, only Almighty God and Jesus Christ. It’s the enemy’s way of marginalizing the one true God and his Son.

            Those who proclaim Christ as Lord and Savior of their life will sooner or later have reason to mourn, however, our Heavenly Father promises to both bless and comfort those who do. ⁽¹⁾ There is a very specific reason for God’s comfort toward those who mourn, and that reason lies in Paul’s 2^nd letter to the church in Corinth. Paul says: “He (God) comforts us in all our troubles so we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” It can’t get a whole lot clearer than that. Everything happens for a reason; God has a purpose for everything He either causes or allows.  Allow yourself to be open to God’s peace and comfort, for a peaceful spirit exists due to the comfort we receive from our Lord. 

            We will invariably become sad at one time or another, perhaps over a lost loved one, but though they are no longer with you, God is with you always and his comfort helps you slowly move past your sorrow into a new position of positivity and praise. Mourning is for only a moment (comparatively speaking), but joy comes in the morning and lasts for all eternity. God is many things, and one thing is he is joyful. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In his name & for his glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

(1) “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released, and prisoners will be freed.  He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.” (Isaiah 61:1-2)

The Sermon on the Mount - 1

Key Lesson No. 1

 

Matthew 5:3 … “God blesses those who are poor & realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”

 

            Matthew 5:3-12 is Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, also referred to as The Beatitudes. They were and are “a code of ethics for the disciples and a standard of conduct for all believers.” ⁽¹⁾ I will be touching on the key lessons to be learned from this sermon.

Jesus isn’t speaking to those who are financially poor, but rather who are spiritually poor. Those individuals will more times than not realize their spiritually bankrupt state and seek God realizing something is missing in their life. While financial and spiritual poverty can go together, they are not at all identical.

God speaks to these individuals in Isaiah 57:15, when he says, “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” The Lord is in each and every one of his children by virtue of his indwelling Spirit and because of his ubiquitous nature, all around us.

Living for God is a direct contradiction to the world’s values and clashes directly with them.  We are called to avoid being unduly influenced by the system of the world by living according to the standards scripture offers. It’s not always easy, but it’s necessary to please the Lord with our lives. If we do this, we will be blessed. This is not to say our lives with become void of flaws or disappointments, or even significant challenges. What it does say is that if we live our lives to please God and not ourselves we will be blessed and achieve a heaven bound future. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In his name & for his glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

⁽¹⁾ Footnote from p. 2003 of The Life Application Study Bible - New Living Translation.

TIME

Our physical world has four known space-time dimensions of length, width, height (or depth) and time. However, God dwells in a different realm—the spirit realm—beyond the perception of our physical senses. It’s not that God isn’t real; it’s a matter of His not being limited by the physical laws and dimensions that govern our world (Isaiah 57:15). Knowing that “God is spirit” (John 4:24), what is His relationship to time?

In Psalm 90:4, Moses used a simple yet profound analogy in describing the timelessness of God: “To you, a thousand years is like the passing of a day or like a few hours in the night.” (NCV) The eternity of God is contrasted with the temporality of man. Our lives are but short and frail, but God does not weaken or fail with the passage of time.

Though we cannot possibly comprehend this idea of eternity or the timelessness of God, we in our finite minds try to confine an infinite God to our time schedule. Those who foolishly demand that God operate according to their time frame ignore the fact that He is the “High and Lofty One . . . who lives forever” (Isaiah 57:15).

Again, because of our finite minds, we can only grasp the concept of God’s timeless existence in part. And in so doing, we describe Him as a God without a beginning or end, eternal, infinite, everlasting, etc. Psalm 90:2 declares, “From everlasting to everlasting You are God” (see also Psalm 93:2). He always was and always will be.

 

Our understanding of time itself or in relation to Almighty God, becomes far too nebulous to grasp. In other words, it is “vague” ... “Lacking definite form or limits”.

 

What are some famous quotes regarding “time” ... 

 

“The only reason for time is so everything doesn’t happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

 

“Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you can’t get more time.” - Jim Rohn

 

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” - Michael Altshuler

 

            Is time something real or is it in actuality something that is inexplicable. We know that whatever time is, it never stops, in that the hands on the proverbial clock never stop moving. “Time (& Tide) waits for no man.” (Saint Mahler, AD 1225) We’ve been conditioned, based on what we’ve been taught, that we are allotted 24 hours in a unit of time referred to a ‘one day’. An hour is comprised of 60 whole minutes. Unless we are in prison or have an incurable disease, for example, we can spend our ‘time’ as we please. People are traditionally prone to wasting time as realized with statements such as, “where did all the time go?” Some folks are organized, even regimented in the way they attack any given day; but then there are the folks that lead rather serendipitous lives, unaware of time and not caring. 

I suppose it all depends on what you’ve been taught growing up and what you end up believing. Time is a commodity that once it is spent cannot ever be retrieved. It is gone like a coin you’ve lost down a sewage drain. Time. 

 

In His Name and for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resources: www.biblegateway.com; https://grammarbrain.com/time-waits-for-no-man/; & https://www.gotquestions.org/God-time.html

(NCV - New Century Version)                

                  

SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT: Keys to Achieving it.

Key #6: Choose your friends carefully

 

The people we spend time with tend to influence our thinking and, subsequently, our actions. While we can’t control who we will meet in public or who we will work with in our jobs, we can decide who we will be with during our free time. Addressing this concept, Solomon wrote: “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Proverbs 12:26).

In the first century, Paul reiterated this timeless principle: “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits’” (1 Corinthians 15:33). He also wrote that we should “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (Ephesians 5:11). Expounding this point, Paul taught, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).

On the positive side, when we fellowship with people who share our religious values, it encourages us to remain faithful to God. When we are together, we have the opportunity to “stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). This is why fellowship with believers was such an important principle during the founding of the Church of God (Acts 2:42) and why it continues to be important for us to practice today.

When we fellowship with believers, we grow in our love and respect for each other and God. As John explained, “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).

 

Key #7: Learn from your mistakes

 

The cold, hard truth is that all of us have made mistakes and will make mistakes. This is repeated multiple times in the Bible. 

In his dedication prayer for the temple Solomon noted, “There is no one who does not sin” (1 Kings 8:46; 2 Chronicles 6:36). In the book of Ecclesiastes, he similarly said: “For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). Later, Paul explained, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

The question is not whether we will sin. That is a given. What is important is what we will do after we sin. God’s desire is for us to repent of our ungodly acts and to return to living as He commands. Commenting on the tenacity we need to have in the face of mistakes, Solomon noted: “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity” (Proverbs 24:16). The point is, we need to keep getting back up whenever we fall. And we need to learn from our mistakes, so we don’t fall again or at least not as often.

This concludes the study on obtaining and growing in spiritual discernment. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/

 

 

SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT: Keys to Achieving it.

Key #5: Practice making good judgments

 

When athletes want to become good at their sport, they practice, using the best techniques. And in most cases, they practice a lot! Generally speaking, the more they practice, the better they become. Perfect practice makes perfect performance. This point likewise applies if we want to develop spiritual discernment. We can’t just read about or think about discernment. We have to actually do it!

The author of the book of Hebrews illustrates this point: “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14).

 

Understanding head-based & heart-based decision-making styles. 

 

Researchers have found that when making judgments, most humans have an innate preference for making either head-based or heart-based decisions. People who generally make head-based decisions are often described as logical, rational, detail-oriented and objective. People who more often make heart-based decisions are thought of as emotional, passionate, empathetic, and feeling-oriented.

Both preferences have strengths and weaknesses. Head-based decision making is often strong in terms of following rules but can unnecessarily hurt people’s feelings. Heart-based decision making generally relates well to people but can overlook important rules or principles.

The best decisions are usually made using a combination of both types of judgment. This kind of judgment respects both truth and love. We should never compromise God’s truth out of an attempt to show love to others. And we should never use truth to unnecessarily hurt others. Reflecting this point, Paul admonishes us to speak “the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).

Next up we’ll be looking at the final two Keys, 6 & 7. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://lifehopeandtruth.com

 

 

SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT: Keys to Achieving it.

Key No.4: Hate what God hates; love what God loves

At creation, mankind was made in God’s image, and God’s desire is for us to eventually become like Him as members of His eternal family. Paul explained that God has called us to be “conformed to the image of His Son,” and that the end result of this process is that our bodies will be “conformed to His glorious body” (Romans 8:29; Philippians 3:21).

With this concept in mind, Paul admonished the Corinthians: “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Imitating God is how we become more like God, and the more we are like God, the better our spiritual discernment becomes. As we grow in discernment, our values, our thinking, and our judgment become more and more like God’s.

 

So what should we imitate about God?

 

A good place to start is by hating what God hates and loving what God loves. Please note that God loves people and wants everyone to be in His family, but He also hates sin because of the toll it takes upon humans (John 3:16-17; 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 6:23).

So what does the Bible reveal regarding things God hates? The list is quite extensive, but here are a few types of conduct that God loathes—some of which He even describes as abominations: false worship (Deuteronomy 12:31; 16:22), divorce (Malachi 2:16), humans eating unclean meats (Leviticus 11:11), cross dressing (Deuteronomy 22:5), businessmen cheating others (Proverbs 11:1), lying (Proverbs 12:22), and the way of the wicked (Proverbs 15:9).

For seven more things God hates, see Proverbs 6:16-19. Capping off this point, Psalm 97:10 says, “You who love the LORD, hate evil!”

 

And what does God love?

 

He loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). He appreciates our heartfelt prayers (Revelation 5:8). He is pleased to see us do good and share with others (Hebrews 13:16), and He will take pleasure in inviting the saints into His Kingdom (Luke 12:32).   

Amos the prophet summarized this key as he succinctly admonished the people of his day: “Hate evil, love good” (Amos 5:15). This advice is also valid today.

            Next we’ll continue with the 7 Keys to Spiritual Discernment by looking at Key No. 5. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://lifehopeandtruth.com

 

SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT: Keys to Achieving it.

Key No. 2: Asking God for Help - Realizing that we don’t inherently know all that we need to know is another fundamental principle for developing spiritual discernment. Today’s popular mantras to simply follow your heart or to look inside yourself for answers to life’s questions are not biblically correct.

Early in his reign King Solomon said: “Now O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. … Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:7, 9).

His words “pleased the LORD,” and God gave Solomon what he had requested (verses 10, 12). When Solomon recorded some of the wisdom God had given him, he twice in the book of Proverbs noted that “there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25).

Echoing our need for help, Jeremiah told God: “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Later, the prophet added: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9).

And the psalmist requested of God: “Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe Your commandments” (Psalm 119:66). We can do the same. We can ask God for spiritual discernment and know that Jesus promised, “Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive” (Matthew 21:22). Understand that the above verse is presuming that your requests will be anchored in the will of God. If what you ask is in the will of God for you then you shall have it.

 

Key No.3: Seek counsel - Seeking advice from people who have knowledge and experience is another key that can help us make sound judgments. Wise King Solomon emphasized this point in several of his proverbs. “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise” (Proverbs 12:15). “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established” (Proverbs 15:22).

Even though Solomon was granted so much wisdom and knowledge by God that rulers of other nations came to hear him (1 Kings 4:34; 10:4), he still recognized the value of seeking counsel from others; namely his father King David. David said to Solomon the following: “Observe the requirements of the Lord your God and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go. If you do this, then the Lord will keep the promise he made to me.” ^{[1 Kings 2:3-4a]}

When we seek counsel, we should do so from people who have the knowledge, experience, and wisdom to properly advise us. Just talking with our friends—who may not have the necessary expertise to provide sound counsel—is unlikely to always provide wise answers and good results.

Next we’ll continue with the 7 Keys to Spiritual Discernment by looking at Key No. 4. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://lifehopeandtruth.com