Blessed
Blessed means – supremely blessed, fortunate, well off. Everybody wants to be
blessed, and some are using all kinds of formulas, but Jesus told us how to be
blessed in Matthew chapter 5 thru 7. He gave this thru the sermon on the mount.
He gave what is called the B attitudes in Matthew chapter 5:3-12.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven verse 3. Poor in
spirit is being humble. Humble is to be lowly. Humble people acknowledge their
absolute dependence upon God. As Son of God, Jesus took no thought for
Himself, but lived a life of obedience and trust in God the Father. We are urged to
do the same (Philippians 2:5-8) “let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ
Jesus. Who, being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God.
But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and
was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, He
humbled Himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross”.
Jesus exhibited no pride or arrogance. Humble people focus more on God and
others than on themselves.
Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted, verse 4. To mourn is the
expression of grief. Jesus declared that He was sent according to the prophecy in
Isaiah 61:1-5 “the Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord has
anointed Me to preach good tidings to the meek; He has sent Me to bind up the
broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to
them that are bound. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of
vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn. To appoint to them that mourn in
Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of
praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord that He might be glorified”, Jesus proclaimed this in Luke 4:
18-19).
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth, verse 5. Meekness is an
attitude of humility toward God and gentleness toward people, springing from a
recognition that God is in control. Some people think that meekness is weakness,
but meekness is strength and courage under control, coupled with kindness.
Meekness is a virtue practiced and commended by our Lord Jesus, as such it is part
of the equipment that every follower of Jesus should wear. Paul said “I beseech you
that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called. With all lowliness
and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love. Endeavoring to
keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3). Praying for our
enemies and doing good for them, will help us learn meekness. Remember that Job
was rewarded after he prayed for his friends.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be
filled, verse 6. To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to have a strong need or
intense desire for righteousness.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy, verse 7. God has freely
extended His mercy to people despite their unworthiness or unfaithfulness; as a
result of receiving this mercy, they should respond by showing mercy to others.
Jesus told a parable about a man who was forgiven a large sum of money, by his
lord and then goes out and refuses to forgive a small amount from his fellowmen,
when his lord found out, he was delivered to the tormentors until he could pay all
(Matthew 18:23-34). Jesus says in verse 35 “so likewise shall My heavenly Father
do also to you, if you from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their
trespasses”.
The Lord Jesus singled out for special commendation the mercy that the good
Samaritan showed (Luke 10:30-37). In answering the question of “who is my
neighbor?” Jesus told a story of a man falling among thieves and was wounded,
and a priest came by and when he saw him, passed by on the other side. And
likewise a Levite, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a
Samaritan when he saw him, had compassion on him and bound up his wounds and
took him to a inn and cared for him. Jesus asked “which now of these three, think
you, was neighbor to him that fell among the thieves? And he said, he that showed
mercy on him. Then said Jesus to him, go, and do you likewise”.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God, verse 8. Pure in heart is
sincere. God wants us to be pure, He wants us to clean up our behavior, when we
begin a new life with Him. When we are clean on the inside, our cleanliness will
show on the outside. True purity comes from God. A follower of Christ becomes
sanctified through believing and obeying the word of God (Hebrews 4:12) “for the
word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and
marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”. Daily
application of God’s word has a purifying effect on our mind and heart.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. verse 9.
Peacemaker is one who acts peaceable, and brings others to peace. Romans 12:
17-18 says “recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight
of all men. If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men”.
James describes peacemaking as the wisdom that comes from above (James 3:17-
18) “but the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and
easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without
hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make
peace”.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute
you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and
be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the
prophets which were before you” verses 10-12. This is the hatred and affliction that
follows the witness and holy life of God’s people in a hostile world.
These B attitudes are the attitudes that Christians should have. We have to
examine ourselves, and see where we are, and any where we find that we fall short,
we have to cry out for help. The Bible says to “cast your cares on Jesus for He
cares for you”.
In Matthews chapter 6 Jesus teaches us and says “when you give, when you fast,
and when you pray”, indicating that this should be practiced by us; getting us to
focus on our motives. Showing that those who do these things to be noticed of
man, will have to get their reward from man. But those who do these things from a
heart for God, will be rewarded openly (Matthew 6:1-8). A life focused on God
brings joy to God, and many blessings to you. Blessings from God come to those
who trust and obey God. Psalms 128:1 says “blessed is every one that fears
(reverence) the Lord Yahweh, that walks in His ways”.
The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray? Jesus gave us what many
call the Lord’s prayer (Matthew 6:9-15) “after this manner therefore pray you: Our
Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your
will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And
forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, for
ever. Amen. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you. But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father
forgive your trespasses”. Many people stop at verse 13, but He goes on showing
the importance of our forgiveness of others, in verses 14-15.
Jesus had a personal relationship with our heavenly Father where He spent time
alone with the Father regularly. He tells us “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and
His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
Seeking first the kingdom is seeking God’s way of doing things; as we form our
relationship with the Father, getting to know Him. Knowing what He likes and
dislikes. The Bible says if you love God, you will hate evil (Psalms 97:10) “you that
love the Lord Yahweh, hate evil. He preserve the souls of His saints. He delivers
them out of the hand of the wicked”. And (Proverbs 8:13) which says “the fear
(reverence) of the Lord Yahweh is to hate evil, pride, and arrogancy, and the evil
way, and the froward mouth, do I hate”.
James says “draw near to God and He will draw near to you”. Jeremiah 29:13 says
“you shall seek Me and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart”.
So it sounds like we have to make the first move. We know that “in His presence
there is fullness of joy” (Psalms 16:11).
In chapter 7, we are told to be careful how we judge, for with the same measure,
you judge, it shall be measured to you again. We are told to take the beam out of
our eyes before we try to remove the stick out of our brothers eyes; verses 1-5.
And then in verses 7-8 we are told to “ask, and it shall be given you, seek, and you
shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asks receives,
and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened”. Some people
think because God knows what they need, they don’t have to ask, but remember
that Jesus said “you have not because you ask not”.
Jesus summaries to us His sermon on the mount and says “therefore whosoever
hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, which
built his house upon a rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
wind blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not for it was founded upon a rock.
And every one that hears these sayings of Mine, and does them not, shall be
likened to a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand. And the rain
descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house,
and it fell, and great was the fall of it”(verse 24-27).
Don’t fall into the traps of men telling you how to be blessed, by using their formulas
and sending them monies; although the Bible does tell us “give and it shall be given
to you” (Luke 6:38). We should be lead by the Spirit in all our giving. Take time to
get to know the voice of the Spirit; as you build your relationship with God.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 says “and it shall come to pass, if you shall hearken diligently
to the voice of the Lord Yahweh your God, to observe and to do all His
commandments which I command you, this day, that the Lord Yahweh your God will
set you on high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come
on you, and overtake you if you hearken to the voice of the Lord Yahweh your
God”. Psalms 35:27 tells us that the Lord Yahweh takes pleasure in the prosperity
of His servants”. In the Old Testament, they were servants, but in the New
Testament we are children.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: October 7, 2008
Blessed means – supremely blessed, fortunate, well off. Everybody wants to be
blessed, and some are using all kinds of formulas, but Jesus told us how to be
blessed in Matthew chapter 5 thru 7. He gave this thru the sermon on the mount.
He gave what is called the B attitudes in Matthew chapter 5:3-12.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven verse 3. Poor in
spirit is being humble. Humble is to be lowly. Humble people acknowledge their
absolute dependence upon God. As Son of God, Jesus took no thought for
Himself, but lived a life of obedience and trust in God the Father. We are urged to
do the same (Philippians 2:5-8) “let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ
Jesus. Who, being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God.
But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and
was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, He
humbled Himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross”.
Jesus exhibited no pride or arrogance. Humble people focus more on God and
others than on themselves.
Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted, verse 4. To mourn is the
expression of grief. Jesus declared that He was sent according to the prophecy in
Isaiah 61:1-5 “the Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord has
anointed Me to preach good tidings to the meek; He has sent Me to bind up the
broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to
them that are bound. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of
vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn. To appoint to them that mourn in
Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of
praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord that He might be glorified”, Jesus proclaimed this in Luke 4:
18-19).
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth, verse 5. Meekness is an
attitude of humility toward God and gentleness toward people, springing from a
recognition that God is in control. Some people think that meekness is weakness,
but meekness is strength and courage under control, coupled with kindness.
Meekness is a virtue practiced and commended by our Lord Jesus, as such it is part
of the equipment that every follower of Jesus should wear. Paul said “I beseech you
that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called. With all lowliness
and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love. Endeavoring to
keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3). Praying for our
enemies and doing good for them, will help us learn meekness. Remember that Job
was rewarded after he prayed for his friends.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be
filled, verse 6. To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to have a strong need or
intense desire for righteousness.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy, verse 7. God has freely
extended His mercy to people despite their unworthiness or unfaithfulness; as a
result of receiving this mercy, they should respond by showing mercy to others.
Jesus told a parable about a man who was forgiven a large sum of money, by his
lord and then goes out and refuses to forgive a small amount from his fellowmen,
when his lord found out, he was delivered to the tormentors until he could pay all
(Matthew 18:23-34). Jesus says in verse 35 “so likewise shall My heavenly Father
do also to you, if you from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their
trespasses”.
The Lord Jesus singled out for special commendation the mercy that the good
Samaritan showed (Luke 10:30-37). In answering the question of “who is my
neighbor?” Jesus told a story of a man falling among thieves and was wounded,
and a priest came by and when he saw him, passed by on the other side. And
likewise a Levite, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a
Samaritan when he saw him, had compassion on him and bound up his wounds and
took him to a inn and cared for him. Jesus asked “which now of these three, think
you, was neighbor to him that fell among the thieves? And he said, he that showed
mercy on him. Then said Jesus to him, go, and do you likewise”.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God, verse 8. Pure in heart is
sincere. God wants us to be pure, He wants us to clean up our behavior, when we
begin a new life with Him. When we are clean on the inside, our cleanliness will
show on the outside. True purity comes from God. A follower of Christ becomes
sanctified through believing and obeying the word of God (Hebrews 4:12) “for the
word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and
marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”. Daily
application of God’s word has a purifying effect on our mind and heart.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. verse 9.
Peacemaker is one who acts peaceable, and brings others to peace. Romans 12:
17-18 says “recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight
of all men. If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men”.
James describes peacemaking as the wisdom that comes from above (James 3:17-
18) “but the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and
easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without
hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make
peace”.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute
you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and
be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the
prophets which were before you” verses 10-12. This is the hatred and affliction that
follows the witness and holy life of God’s people in a hostile world.
These B attitudes are the attitudes that Christians should have. We have to
examine ourselves, and see where we are, and any where we find that we fall short,
we have to cry out for help. The Bible says to “cast your cares on Jesus for He
cares for you”.
In Matthews chapter 6 Jesus teaches us and says “when you give, when you fast,
and when you pray”, indicating that this should be practiced by us; getting us to
focus on our motives. Showing that those who do these things to be noticed of
man, will have to get their reward from man. But those who do these things from a
heart for God, will be rewarded openly (Matthew 6:1-8). A life focused on God
brings joy to God, and many blessings to you. Blessings from God come to those
who trust and obey God. Psalms 128:1 says “blessed is every one that fears
(reverence) the Lord Yahweh, that walks in His ways”.
The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray? Jesus gave us what many
call the Lord’s prayer (Matthew 6:9-15) “after this manner therefore pray you: Our
Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your
will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And
forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, for
ever. Amen. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you. But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father
forgive your trespasses”. Many people stop at verse 13, but He goes on showing
the importance of our forgiveness of others, in verses 14-15.
Jesus had a personal relationship with our heavenly Father where He spent time
alone with the Father regularly. He tells us “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and
His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
Seeking first the kingdom is seeking God’s way of doing things; as we form our
relationship with the Father, getting to know Him. Knowing what He likes and
dislikes. The Bible says if you love God, you will hate evil (Psalms 97:10) “you that
love the Lord Yahweh, hate evil. He preserve the souls of His saints. He delivers
them out of the hand of the wicked”. And (Proverbs 8:13) which says “the fear
(reverence) of the Lord Yahweh is to hate evil, pride, and arrogancy, and the evil
way, and the froward mouth, do I hate”.
James says “draw near to God and He will draw near to you”. Jeremiah 29:13 says
“you shall seek Me and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart”.
So it sounds like we have to make the first move. We know that “in His presence
there is fullness of joy” (Psalms 16:11).
In chapter 7, we are told to be careful how we judge, for with the same measure,
you judge, it shall be measured to you again. We are told to take the beam out of
our eyes before we try to remove the stick out of our brothers eyes; verses 1-5.
And then in verses 7-8 we are told to “ask, and it shall be given you, seek, and you
shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asks receives,
and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened”. Some people
think because God knows what they need, they don’t have to ask, but remember
that Jesus said “you have not because you ask not”.
Jesus summaries to us His sermon on the mount and says “therefore whosoever
hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, which
built his house upon a rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
wind blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not for it was founded upon a rock.
And every one that hears these sayings of Mine, and does them not, shall be
likened to a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand. And the rain
descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house,
and it fell, and great was the fall of it”(verse 24-27).
Don’t fall into the traps of men telling you how to be blessed, by using their formulas
and sending them monies; although the Bible does tell us “give and it shall be given
to you” (Luke 6:38). We should be lead by the Spirit in all our giving. Take time to
get to know the voice of the Spirit; as you build your relationship with God.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 says “and it shall come to pass, if you shall hearken diligently
to the voice of the Lord Yahweh your God, to observe and to do all His
commandments which I command you, this day, that the Lord Yahweh your God will
set you on high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come
on you, and overtake you if you hearken to the voice of the Lord Yahweh your
God”. Psalms 35:27 tells us that the Lord Yahweh takes pleasure in the prosperity
of His servants”. In the Old Testament, they were servants, but in the New
Testament we are children.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: October 7, 2008
