Bible League: Living His Word "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."Our verse for today is the first of the Beatitudes listed in Matthews 5. The Beatitudes were spoken by Jesus as part of His Sermon on the Mount. The word "beatitude" refers to a state of being abundantly blessed and extremely happy. The Beatitudes are declarations of blessedness over those who embody what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Each of them begins with a pronouncement of "Blessed" over those who embody a particular virtue disciples should have and then follows with the reason why those who embody the virtue are blessed. The first Beatitude says that those with the virtue of being "poor in spirit" are blessed. To be poor in spirit does not refer to being poor monetarily or being dispirited in some way. It means that true disciples---unlike the scribes and Pharisees---do not have a high opinion of their own worth apart from the grace and mercy of God. Those who are poor in spirit acknowledge that in and of themselves they have nothing that could justify themselves before God and acknowledge that they need the salvation that can only come through faith in Jesus Christ. The reason why disciples who are poor in spirit are blessed is because "theirs is the kingdom of heaven." What does it mean to have the kingdom of heaven? It means that disciples have been saved through faith in Jesus Christ and have thereby entered the Kingdom of heaven. This does not mean that they have already died and gone to heaven. The "Kingdom of heaven" as used by the Apostle Matthew is a virtual synonym for the "Kingdom of God." It refers to the reign of God over His realm---which includes both heaven and earth. Whenever someone becomes a disciple they enter the Kingdom of God right here on earth and whenever they do what they have been called to do by God they advance and develop His kingdom right here on earth. Those who have the Kingdom are blessed because they have all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of citizenship in the kingdom. Don't be ashamed of being poor in spirit, for through it we attain all the riches that the Kingdom of God has to offer. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingDeuteronomy 20, 21, 22 Deuteronomy 20 -- Laws of Warfare NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Deuteronomy 21 -- Atonement for a Murder; Family Relations NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Deuteronomy 22 -- Additional Laws, Morality, Marriage NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Mark 14:26-50 Mark 14 -- Jesus Anointed; Last Supper; Gethsemane; Judas Betrays Jesus; Jesus before the Sanhedrin, disowned by Peter NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!His faithful love endures forever. Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. Insight “Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out!” God has done so much for us, and we have so much for which to thank him. He wants us to tell everyone all that he has done. These verses are not so much a mandate to witness as a declaration that when we live in God's presence we will not be able to keep this glorious experience to ourselves. Challenge What has God done for you? Is there someone you can tell? Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 2 Kings 7:3 Why sit we here until we die?Dear reader, this little book was mainly intended for the edification of believers, but if you are yet unsaved, our heart yearns over you: and we would fain say a word which may be blessed to you. Open your Bible, and read the story of the lepers, and mark their position, which was much the same as yours. If you remain where you are you must perish; if you go to Jesus you can but die. "Nothing venture, nothing win," is the old proverb, and in your case the venture is no great one. If you sit still in sullen despair, no one can pity you when your ruin comes; but if you die with mercy sought, if such a thing were possible, you would be the object of universal sympathy. None escape who refuse to look to Jesus; but you know that, at any rate, some are saved who believe in him, for certain of your own acquaintances have received mercy: then why not you? The Ninevites said, "Who can tell?" Act upon the same hope, and try the Lord's mercy. To perish is so awful, that if there were but a straw to catch at, the instinct of self-preservation should lead you to stretch out your hand. We have thus been talking to you on your own unbelieving ground, we would now assure you, as from the Lord, that if you seek him he will be found of you. Jesus casts out none who come unto him. You shall not perish if you trust him; on the contrary, you shall find treasure far richer than the poor lepers gathered in Syria's deserted camp. May the Holy Spirit embolden you to go at once, and you shall not believe in vain. When you are saved yourself, publish the good news to others. Hold not your peace; tell the King's household first, and unite with them in fellowship; let the porter of the city, the minister, be informed of your discovery, and then proclaim the good news in every place. The Lord save thee ere the sun goes down this day. Daily Light on the Daily Path 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,Hebrews 2:14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, Isaiah 45:22 "Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other. 1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; Ephesians 2:13,14 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. • For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, Hebrews 9:12,15 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. • For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 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