BEATITUDES
The beatitudes are taken from the Jesus' sermon on the mount. This is a message of the GOSPEL, which means GOD'S SPELL or God's influence in reality. By definition "gospel" means "glad tidings" or "good news" as we say it in modern language. BE ATTITUDES are attitudes which must be the new you as you change and become a new person. You stop being a child under the control of Satan behaving the way devils want you to behave. You start acting and thinking the way God wants you to act as a loving follower of Christ.
BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT
"Poor in spirit" has two meanings. The first perspective or way of looking at this is (1) those financially poor having little money, who have the Spirit power of Heaven instead. Most poor people have to be humble. They cannot vaunt themselves and threaten when wronged like the rich may do. They get defrauded and have to suffer it. They cannot get lawyers at all times when they need them for court cases and other legal business. Quite often they are the victims of the business world which exploits them. Buying on credit the poor end up paying more through interest and financial charges for needs and some of the conveniences of life. Being sick and lacking medical insurance the poor often go untreated professionally because they cannot pay doctor's fees, drug costs, and hospital expenses. Sometimes they die from this deficiency and also from ignorance. But God compensates or makes up for this problem in many poor people. They have little help and little hope except to call on God and to trust in His goodness. For those who seek Him among the poor, God has richly rewarded them with "Spirit", the angels of Glory. Psalm 37, 91 are explications of this blessing.
The second way of looking at this "attitude" is the reverse of what we have just discussed. In this case (2) "poor in spirit" means not having enough of the Holy Spirit for one's help. These persons have too much from the powers of darkness and too many demons controlling them. All non-christians and all "sinners" fall in this category. These persons are described in the following texts: Matthew 12:45; John 8:31-35; Ephesians 2:1-5. Satan makes most men become "servants of sin" to create all the trouble the world is in, Revelation 12:12. But even these men get a blessing IN THE END...."FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN"! Jesus was born a "joy to the world". He represented God's "peace and good will to ALL MANKIND", LUKE 2:10,14. Jesus took away the sins of the world (John 1:29) forgiving all men for all times on the cross, LUKE 23:34; Hebrews 10:11-12,14. As SAVIOR OF THE WORLD he declared, "I will draw ALL MEN unto me" (John 12:32) "that where I am, there ye may be also"...in Glory, John 14:1-3. In the book of the Revelations, John saw a vision, a prophecy of the fulfillment of these things. He saw ALL MEN "drawn to God" including the former "poor in spirit" surrounding the Throne and praising Him! Revelation 5:11-14, 15:2-4. Only "good" is in God, and it is His "good will to men" to give them the kingdom of heaven, LUKE 12:32. None of them can die eternally, Matthew 5:43-48, 18:11-14; LUKE 7:41-43; John 3:17.
Now you have the explanation of both sides of the first beatitude, two sides of the same coin, or both edges of God's sWORD, Hebrews 4:12. If you are "poor" it is far better in this life to be poor monetarily and blessed with angels than to be poor in numbers of helping angels and to receive your "blessing"....in the END.
BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN
Mourning is a continuous cup of sorrow that God has given to all mankind. It is a by-product of our "exercise" in sin, Ecclesiastes 1:13; Romans 8:18-22. We have a promise from God to "comfort" all who mourn. The comfort comes in one or two ways. One way is the glorification that comes in one's end, which is eternal life. ALL HUMAN BEINGS do receive this upon dying. In addition to this others who are more fortunate in this life only suffer sporadically. Their suffering is interrupted by periods of "comfort" and joy when God assuages their griefs of the moment.
1. What scriptures express clearly that God has given men a cup of suffering in this life? Psalm 90:9-10; Ecclesiastes 3:10.
2. Who is given power to enforce this suffering? Daniel 7:21-22; Revelation 12:12, 13:4-7.
3. Why is the devil angry with ALL HUMAN BEINGS, who ALL are the "seed" of God the Father? Isaiah 14:12-15; Matthew 23:9; Revelation 12:7-13,17. Are "all men" indeed, all who have been born and will be born the "offsprings" of the Father? Psalm 82:6-8, 87; Isaiah 45:9-12; Matthew 13:24-25,37-39; Acts 17:24-28; Hebrews 2:6-7,10-15.
4. What biblical story parallels the plight of man and his "mourning" because of the treachery of the powers of darkness? Exodus 3:7-10. What text shows us that what Moses was doing in His day God planned to have Jesus do for the whole world of humanity? John 3:14-17, 12:32, 14:2-3; Hebrews 2:14-15.
5. Since some men "suffer" all their lifetime in satanic bondage or the bondage of extreme poverty, is salvation at death the end of their suffering? Ecclesiastes 4:1-3, 12:7; Romans 8:18-22.
6. With what words and parables did Jesus show us the end of our suffering in this world and our entry into heaven at death? LUKE 15:20-24, 20:37-38.
7. How does the Spirit using Paul agree with Jesus? 2 Corinthians 5:1-8.
8. Who are those who get periods of comfort in between suffering times? Psalm 23, 91. So those who live righteously may be among those blessed to escape some of the world's anguish from time to time, Psalm 37:22-34.
9. Name some men who suffered for a while and then were "comforted" by God. (The three Hebrew boys, Daniel, Joseph, David, Job).
Comfort shall eventually come to all men of all nations because God delivers them into the Glory of Heaven when they die. Psalm 82:6-8; Isaiah 25:6-9; Hosea 13:14; John 11:25-26, 12:32; Hebrews 12:22-24. We agree with Jesus. Man mourns and is comforted. We also agree with the Spirit using Paul that God delivers men from demonic bondage into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Mourning is more than a human "attitude". It is a constant "state of being".
BLESSED ARE THE MEEK
A Webster dictionary describes "meek" as: (1) enduring injury with patience and without resentment: mild, (2) submissive, (3) not violent or strong: moderate. Synonym: humble....It is therefore fitting that Jesus is called the Lamb of God, because lambs are depicted as meek and humble. Jesus exemplified this so that those who follow him would have proper examples by which to pattern their lives. About Christ God said, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him"! Matthew 17:5. If we want to please God, it is obvious that we must not only be like Jesus, but we must also hear and believe his words, use his advice, and accept his direction of our lives. A "meek" person in the spirit (Romans 8:2-8) rejects fleshy attitudes and worldliness. Meekness is one of the ATTITUDES that must BE the new you as you are being made perfect by the Spirit.
1. The synonym for meek is humble. Jesus' birth was a sign forecasting and exemplifying things to come about his personality and attitude. He was born in a manger because there was no housing available at Mary's delivery time. A manger is a feeding box for cattle. This indicated that Jesus was to be "food" for his sheep. Thus Christ's beginning was so lowly that it was at the level of cattle. How did Jesus describe himself? Matthew 11:29. If you are not the way Jesus described himself, "you must be born again".
2. Does meekness mean fighting back with physical violence? Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 5:38-42. You can avoid much trouble by staying away from violent people and situations which could become violent, Proverbs 4:14-18; Isaiah 59:3-8.
3. In order to help his church members stay meek, what advice did Paul write to them? 1 Corinthians 5:10, 6:9-11.
4. Does meekness in the "spirit" mean we can initiate legal action in man's courts against one another? Matthew 7:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:1-8. "Meekness" means enduring injury with patience and without resentment".
5. Man's nature due to demonic control is pride, self-will, and indifference to God, His laws, and His will. What command tells us we must be meek before God? Exodus 20:12. Humility before God involves love and obedience to Him. Ecclesiastes 12:1-6,13; Matthew 22:35-40.
6. In King Saul's beginning, he was "submissive" as in the second definition of meekness. What did he do to show that meekness was no longer with him? 1 Samuel 15:17-23.
7. How did Job show that his meekness before God was gone? Job 31:35-37, 34:7-9. Princes do not have to walk with humility; therefore God reproved him. Job 38:1-3.
8. What must be done to replace a hard disrespectful attitude before God? Psalm 51:6-10,17; James 4:6-10.
9. The meek inherit the earth. They are blessed in longer days on earth because they honor their Father, God. Violent men kill and wound themselves as well as innocents through wars, murders, strifes, etc. Therefore their days on earth are shorter than the days of meek men. Psalm 37:7-11,22,34-37. Therefore meekness can be life-prolonging as a healthful attitude which pleases God. It should BE your new ATTITUDE and personality quality, if you are a dedicated follower of Christ.
BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS
To hunger and thirst after righteousness is indicative of a child of God who is capable of eating "spiritual" food. This food becomes a part of that NEW CREATURE as he grows into the fullness of the stature of Christ. Natural food cannot fill that need. Only heaven can create and satisfy that hunger and thirst. Righteousness can be defined by its two major syllables: RIGHT-referring to acceptable modes of conduct and behavior approved by God for children of light; -JUSTNESS by which we judge and determine our thought activities and pattern them according to the wishes of the Father. "Right" is the opposite of wrong and justice is the opposite of injustice. And Satan is an engineer eager to hold us on a ride into darkness. He has his own food, bread of deceit and wine of fornication which he uses to force-feed his captives. One must be born again to be set free having a new stomach and sense of taste.
1. We said that Jesus' resting in a manger was an allegory that he is the "right" food for God's sheep. What words did Jesus use to teach us that we must eat his "body", that is, we must take in the WORDS he testified? John 6:51,53,63. How did John describe Jesus in a spiritual sense? John 1:1,14.
2. Jesus called us God's plants in a parable. We need Son and Rein in order to grow in the way that pleases God. What scriptures show us that Jesus and the angels of Glory who also deliver God's WORD are like sunlight (Psalm 19:1-6) and Jesus is the "bridegroom" in the analogy? Matthew 25:1,10,13; Revelation 10:1.
3. Plants need water in order to grow and thrive or else they will dry up. What texts show us that Jesus' WORDS are water for us plants? John 4:10,13. What blessing occurs for those for those who drink Jesus' WORD? John 7:37-38.
4. Who controls all "heavenly weather" and its affect on the plants? Matthew 5:45. Obviously God draws all those who come to His feast. John 6:44-46, Song of Solomon 1:4, 2:4, Matthew 22:2-3.
5. Is there growing power in the WORDS of God and Christ? Psalm 19:7-14; Proverbs 4:18; Ephesians 4:13-15.
6. To be fed one must seek the shepherd. How did God say we must do it if we are to get results? Jeremiah 23:13. What did He say He would do if we please Him? Isaiah 30:21-26; Ezekiel 34:11-16. Obviously God will fill the bellies of those who ask Him!! Or will He? LUKE 11:9-13, 18:1-5. You cannot give up if God seems to take His time in responding. God's slow motion serves as a test for what is in your heart! LUKE 12:45-47.
7. Is there a "famine of hearing the WORD of God" in our world? Notice that the question concerns God's Word, not the words of today's preachers. Isaiah 29:9-14; Amos 8:11-13.
8. Does Satan have a meal for those starving men seeking spiritual food? Proverbs 5:3-5, 9:17-18; Revelation 12:15, 18:1-3.
9. What is the usual condition of those who eat Satan's food? Ephesians 2:1-3.
10. If a disciple of Christ chances to eat from Satan's table, can it kill him spiritually? Mark 16:17-18.
11. Give one reason why Job was praised by God. Job 23:10-12.
In conclusion there is life awaiting those fed by God. God's food makes one immune to Satan's poison. Blessed are all those who are nourished by the Word of God and fed at His table. Those who have spiritual ears hear His voice and eat, but for the living dead there is only decay. Man is used to serve Satan's table, . Therefore beware of fleshy men! Jeremiah 17:5-10.
BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL
Mercy is a quality which is part of God's name. When God introduced Himself to Moses, He said, "The Lord, the Lord, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.., Exodus 34:6-7. All of that was a proclamation of His name. His name, Mercy, can be seen in Jesus' words, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you: that you may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven". Every offspring takes on the behavioral qualities of his parents and acts like them. Little whales act like big whales; baby mice act like adult mice; young bees begin to do like older bees do. Men must act like God because we are His offsprings, Acts 17:24-28. But we have a problem...SATAN, who has been given power by God to make us ACT like "beasts", Romans 8:18-22; Revelation 13:4-7.
1. Give three instances where Jesus taught us mercy: (a) LUKE 7:36-48, (b) Matthew 18:21-35, (c) LUKE 15:11-32.
2. God gave the devil power over men. He wants us to suffer in what is hateful so we can learn not to practice madness on or against one another. Because God is responsible for the sins of men, what has He done to make amends to mankind? John 3:17-18, 5:22, 8:15. As JUDGE OF ALL, God and Jesus REFUSE to judge men. We must have the same attitude.
3. Give an example of Jesus' refusal to judge men for sin: John 8:1-11. We too must act like our Father and pattern our attitude like that of Christ, if we claim sonship and discipleship.
4. What is the power and virtue of mercy? James 2:13.
5. Give us proof that the merciful do obtain mercy as a blessing: 1 Samuel 24; 2 Samuel 24.
6. Is mercy stronger than suffering and death? LUKE 23:39-43.
7. How did Daniel show mercy and then obtain it himself? Daniel 2:1-3, 6:1-24.
8. If you can, think of a time when you showed mercy and afterward when you faced trouble, mercy was shown to you. If you do not have a merciful attitude, is it not time to ask God for it?
9. If you eat these words, what will God do for you? Isaiah 55:1-3.
BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART
A pure heart is one in which wickedness is absent. It results in a genuine loving and wholesome ATTITUDE which must BE in the righteous. One's true spirit, the real YOU God created as an image of His own spirit, can live and respond to a pure attitude. In order to find one's self, your true "ID", you must be stripped of demonic influences seated in the flesh which "control" our outer attitudes governed by "how I feel". "For the flesh lusts against the spirit (not for the spirit). And those living in the flesh (giving over to fleshy emotions) cannot please God, Romans 8:5-8; James 4:5-6. One must fight "feelings" and "emotions" which cause us to act in an ungodly fashion, because God has given devils power to use our brain and central nervous system to conjure up "feelings" to move us as they please, Jeremiah 12:23; Romans 7:14-24. The blessing for the pure in heart is that they shall see God!! He also "manifests" Himself to them. This may be called a direct and indirect vision of Him.
1. Impure spirits create impure hearts (mental wills)! What scriptures and parables were used by Christ to teach us that? Matthew 12:33-37,43-45, 15:18-20.
2. What example shows us the affect of demonic influence upon one's attitude? 1 Samuel 19:4-10.
3. How can one get free from invisible captors "housed" in and on his body? Matthew 7:17-22; John 8:30-36.
4. David is an example of "plea-bargaining" with God to free himself from Satan's hold. What did David "pray" after sinning with Bathsheba and killing her husband? Psalm 51.
5. Can one "fake-out" God with one's self-deception that he is pure in heart when he is actually quite dirty? Psalm 139:1-12; Proverbs 15:25; Isaiah 64:6; Jeremiah 17:9-10.
6. Can a church have an unclean attitude? Revelation 3:14-22.
7. If demons flatter us into assuming a self-righteous air when we are really filthy, how can we be certain that we are clean or being clean? Matthew 7:15-20,24-27, 19:16-22; John 8:12. Were the Pharisees "faked-out"? Matthew 23:25-28; John 5:36-37.
8. "Seeing God" is a blessing for the pure in heart. Give three examples of the "direct" or face-to-face blessing: (a) Genesis 5:22-24, (b) Isaiah 6:1-8, (c) Daniel 7:9-10.
9. What is an "indirect" blessing for the pure in heart? Matthew 11:27. Give two examples of the "indirect blessing": (a) 2 Corinthians 12:1-7, (2) Acts 7:54-60.
10. If your attitude is impure, do yourself a favor and ask God for a "right spirit" like David did!
BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS
Peacemakers are those who defuse strife, arguments, and fights. The peacemaker tries to cause love to replace bitterness and strife in the hearts of those opposed. Where these things are found, they will also be found soothing hurt feelings, quenching anger, and calming frayed nerves. Strife often erupts because of offense from mistaking the intentions of others. Satan is quite instrumental in bringing men to arguments, insults, anger, and hatred. Recall what he did to Job and his friends. Sometimes strife ends in bloodshed and death. The peacemaker literally becomes a warrior for God against Satan on behalf of the human brethren at odds. Jesus is the "Prince of Peace" and those who make peace are emissaries working for his cause.
1. What proclamation showed Jesus to be the "Prince of Peace"? Isaiah 9:6; LUKE 2:11-14.
2. What blessing did Jesus leave his followers? John 14:27.
3. Who is the spirit of wrath? I Peter 5:8-9; Revelation 12:12-13.
4. What happened in the beginning as a result of Satan's wrath? Genesis 3:1-7, 4:1-8.
5. The tongue is very instrumental in causing strife and breaking peace. Satan used it along with a serpent against Adam and Eve. What does James advise concerning the tongue and self control? James ch. 3.
6. How can we tell if the prince of darkness is motivating our speech? Matthew 12:33-37, 15:16-20.
7. To be a peacemaker what must we do? Proverbs 15:1,4,23,26,28; Mark 9:50; Ephesians 4:29.
8. What signs tell us the Prince of peace is with us? Galatians 5:14-26.
BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
Good and evil have struggled one with the other ever since Satan coveted God's glory and war erupted in Heaven. On earth war continued with the victimizing of Adam and Eve. Satan was created to be the opponent of all that is called "good". He was made to supply a contrasting experience to the personality qualities and the nature of God. Thus mankind is automatically "in trouble" because he is the "image and likeness of God". This likeness of spirit makes man's spirit as immortal as God is. This is not the case with the dusty body of flesh and blood. God pronounced man "GOOD" when He finished His labors. Therefore man is an instant target for Satan's wrath and vengeance. It is this persecution by the powers of darkness that is a sure indication that man, if he is in doubt about his identity, is a child of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake (which the Father conferred upon ALL MEN as an unmerited "gift")...for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. They are the offspring of God as Satan knows so well but he prefers to make men doubt their glorious parentage. Persecution can be painful, but the blessing comes in learning one's identity.
1. What events targeted man for attacks by Satan? Revelation 12:7-12,17.
2. In symbolic language men are "stars of God" as the children of light, James 1:17. What does Satan do to them as disclosed in prophecies? Isaiah 14:12-13; Daniel 7:21-22, 8:8-12.
3. Are men born righteous and good? Genesis 1:27,31; Ecclesiastes 7:29. God is pleased with innocent children. Matthew 18:3.
4. Has God charged men with "SIN-WORKS" that our satanic "Pharaoh" and his demonic Egyptians force them to "work with rigor"? II Corinthians 5:18-19. God "changes not"! Malachi 3:6. Observe HIS ATTITUDE toward Israel (and we include Balaam himself) even though they vexed Moses and the Holy Spirit!! Numbers 23:18-21; Micah 6:5. Here is the SUPREME JUDGE'S DECISION REGARDING ALL MANKIND: 1 John 3:9.
5. Only the Father is JUDGE OF ALL! Only His "OPINIONS" count whether we like them or not, or whether we agree with them or not, and whether we understand them or not!! What verdict in judgment has He given the Court which maintains man's righteousness in spite of whatever Satan might do to us? Isaiah 45:24-25, 54:17.
6. While men are in darkness and ignorance, are the works of wickedness charged to them? John 9:4. What if men consciously agree to do some sin act devils suggest? Isaiah 28:15-20; Ezekiel 20:32-38. Does Jesus agree with God not to impute sins to men? John 5:22, 8:15. NOW...should YOU agree with the Father and Jesus on this subject being of ONE MIND with them? John 17:20-23.
7. Isaiah called this "permanent, unalterable righteousness" the "heritage" of the children of God. John called this state a "REMAINING HOLY SEED"! What does Paul call this "Court bestowed immunity to charges of sin" granted by the SUPREME JUDGE? II Corinthians 5:18-19. Man has a "HERITAGE", a "FREE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS" as "HOLY SEED" just by virtue of being born human!!!
8. Obviously all this legal Court business infuriates Satan to increase his torture of man as he exacts revenge against God. He cannot "use the JUDGE" and His law to destroy man. Satan must judge man himself! Romans 8:38-39; I Peter 5:8-10.
9. Where does the blessing come in for persecuted man, when all he gets from it is pain and affliction? Matthew 18:24-25; John 14:4; Romans 8:16-21; II Timothy 2:10-11; II Esdras 7:1-14.
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