"poor in spirit"
Hello CCV Ladies,
I wanted to post the June 14 Walk&Talk devo in my blog, where I can refer to it; but it's not in chronological order, and neither are the next 4 - but then I'll be all caught up.
God put this small "reflection on the beatitudes" on my heart to share, along with questions to discuss, during the Monday evening W&T's in the summer. I hope they add to the depth of conversation and of our relationships.
This week's verse is:
I wanted to post the June 14 Walk&Talk devo in my blog, where I can refer to it; but it's not in chronological order, and neither are the next 4 - but then I'll be all caught up.
God put this small "reflection on the beatitudes" on my heart to share, along with questions to discuss, during the Monday evening W&T's in the summer. I hope they add to the depth of conversation and of our relationships.
This week's verse is:
"Blessed (or happy) are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven"
First of all, my NIV Bible notes tel me that "blessed" means more than happiness in the laughter, pleasure or earthly prosperity sense. To Jesus, means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. And I feel that Jesus' promise for the one who lives with this prerequisite, "poorness of spirit," - dwelling in the reality of the Kingdom of Heaven IS the very reward of this hope and joy. When God gives us the GIFT of SEEING with HIS perspective, the Kingdom of Heaven, which overlaps this world we live in, Blessedness is the result!
The opposite of "poor in spirit" is pride and personal independence. Just think about this - so, poor in spirit looks something like humility and recognition of total need for an dependence upon God. There are areas in each of our lives, which we hold control strings or carry the weight of responsibility for "making it happen": or "keeping it together." Maybe the most competent, talented or fiercely independent person finds it most difficult to get in touch with this "poverty of spirit" which is so near to the heart of God.
Isaiah 57:15 gives perspective to the kind of humility which characterizes one "poor in spirit."
For this is what the high and lofty ONE says -
HE who lives forever, whose name is holy;
"I live in a high and holy place,
But also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite."
I think God allows us to feel overwhelmed by circumstances and out of control - "poor in spirit," to put us in a place for Him to come and revive our heart and spirit.
Questions for the walk:
First of all, my NIV Bible notes tel me that "blessed" means more than happiness in the laughter, pleasure or earthly prosperity sense. To Jesus, means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. And I feel that Jesus' promise for the one who lives with this prerequisite, "poorness of spirit," - dwelling in the reality of the Kingdom of Heaven IS the very reward of this hope and joy. When God gives us the GIFT of SEEING with HIS perspective, the Kingdom of Heaven, which overlaps this world we live in, Blessedness is the result!
The opposite of "poor in spirit" is pride and personal independence. Just think about this - so, poor in spirit looks something like humility and recognition of total need for an dependence upon God. There are areas in each of our lives, which we hold control strings or carry the weight of responsibility for "making it happen": or "keeping it together." Maybe the most competent, talented or fiercely independent person finds it most difficult to get in touch with this "poverty of spirit" which is so near to the heart of God.
Isaiah 57:15 gives perspective to the kind of humility which characterizes one "poor in spirit."
For this is what the high and lofty ONE says -
HE who lives forever, whose name is holy;
"I live in a high and holy place,
But also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite."
I think God allows us to feel overwhelmed by circumstances and out of control - "poor in spirit," to put us in a place for Him to come and revive our heart and spirit.
Questions for the walk:
1. Do YOU feel "poor in spirit"? Describe the feeling?
2. I this a condition to which you can easily relate, or not?
3. In what areas of your life do your heart and spirit need "reviving"?
4. How do YOU go about reviving these areas or how has God revived you in the past?
5. Does "poverty of spirit" sound like a desirable position to YOU? Why or why not?
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