Monday, July 15, 2019

Friends' Favorites - The BE Attitudes

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.
Matthew 5:1-2 The Message

I have no idea how many times I've read this portion of Scripture commonly referred to as the 
Sermon on the Mount, beginning with the Beatitudes. And strangely enough, until tonight, I'd never read it in The Message Bible. I love the way this reads in that translation. Read for yourself...

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.

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for Your Word! Let the Beatitudes become our BE attitudes. We want all of these characteristics to be evident in our lives as we strive to follow You. Help us to be so. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

No comments:

Post a Comment