Read text with a focus on what the people are like.
Read the text with a focus on how God responds.
Blessed – happiness, healthy, the transcendent happiness of life beyond care, labor, death
“poor in spirit” – need new spiritual life, greater spiritual strength, receive what God has for us
When I receive the love of God, by repenting and turning to faith in Jesus, I will find new spiritual life. Then I will respond by loving God and others with all I’ve got.
A healthy spiritual life is at peace with God, with self, and with others.
No longer do I feel the need to get something or to prove something to be at peace about who I am, to find fulfillment in life, and to enjoy relationships.
A healthy spiritual life will benefit God, self, and others.
How do we respond? – Matthew 6:1-18
1. Giving
2. Praying
3. Fasting
We should respond to the call of Jesus to, “seek first the Kingdom of God,” in Matthew 6:33.
Out of gratitude for the grace of God, we choose to give, pray, and fast as part of our personal devotion to Jesus.
It’s a perfect time to change up our normal habits, slow down our level of activity, and spend more time resting in God’s presence. Replace a meal with time in prayer. Each day we will share a specific prayer focus from our daily reading. We will gain clarity by seeking God first.
What are we doing? Why are we doing this? Thank you for asking.
For more information about our 21-day prayer focus, explanation, and topics: https://bit.ly/2XgM3Sp