*LIVING SEEDS DEVOTIONALS*
(Life Transforming Words)
Thursday| November 18th| 21
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*BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRITS*
_Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the of heaven_ . Mathew 5:3
We are in a world of spiritual arrogance, spiritual poverty is never in any one's diary. In the fallen world, poverty of spirit may seem to be a hindrance to success and advancement. Apparently, this is an illusion. What does it to be poor in the spirits?
The poor in spirit are those who cast themselves on God's grace. Happy are those who are not proud, conceited or arrogant concerning their spiritual relationship with God. One must recognize his humanity, his spiritual poverty and destitution(Romans 7:24-25). One must empty himself of self - reliance and learn to humble himself before God. Those with such an attitude of mind will submit to the kingdom reign of God( Lk 6:20; Isa 61:3). *Those who personally acknowledge their spiritual bankruptcy before God.* The tax collector in the temple, beating his breast and chest by saying, God, be merciful to me, a sinner (Luke 18:9-14). *It is an honest confession that we are sinful and utterly without moral virtues needed to please God* . It is the opposite of arrogance. In its deepest form, *it acknowledges our desperate need for God* . Jesus is declaring that it is a blessing to recognize our need to be filled by God’s grace.
*Blessed are those who realize they are spiritually bankrupt, for this realization turns them to God,* without whom they cannot fulfill what they are created to do and be. Much of the rest of the sermon rips away from us the self delusion that we are capable of acquiring a state of blessedness on our own. *It aims to produce in us a genuine poverty of spirit* . What is the practical result of this blessing? If *we are poor in spirit, we are able to bring an honest appraisal of ourselves to our work* . We don't inflate our résumé or boast about our position. We know how difficult it is to work with people who cannot learn, grow, or accept correction because they are trying to maintain an *_inflated picture of themselves_* . So we commit ourselves to honesty about ourselves. Do you remember that even Jesus, when he started working with wood, must have needed guidance and instruction. At the same time, we acknowledge that only with God at work within us can we put Jesus’ teachings into practice on the job (Phil 2:12-13). We seek God’s presence and strength in our lives each day as we live as Christians where we work. For instance, who is likely to be more successful in the long run? A leader who says, Fear not, I can handle anything, just do as I say; or a leader who says, together, we can do it, but everyone will have to perform better than ever before. If there was ever a time when an arrogant, self promoting leader was considered greater than a humble, empowering leader, that time is passing, at least within the best organizations. Beloved, what is the spiritual state of your heart, are you spiritually arrogant or poor. I pray that you will encounter him afresh in Jesus name.
*SHALL WE PRAY* : Father, in the name of Jesus, give me a gentle heart, humble, self emptied life.
*MEDITATION*
Matthew 6: 1-11
*SURE PROPHECY*
I prophecy into your life and destiny the unimaginable, the unexpected will happen to your life in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
*REMAIN BLESSED*
Apostle Thomas Adegbile
Senior Pastor
Revealed Life Christian Centre Akure, Nigeria
08035868741
