DEVOTION ~ THE POOR IN SPIRIT

-
Theme: The Poor in Spirit 
Text: Matthew 5:1-3

5 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.


Jesus' ministry is characterized by teaching. He taught His disciples and the multitude that accompanied Him as He went round. He is the greatest teacher ever and there's none to compete with Him in this. In Matthew chapter five, we have been introduced to the beatitudes, a comprehensive teaching on the mountain.

The first beatitude mentioned is the poor in spirit. The beatitudes are introduced with blessings and ends with a promise or an assured reward. To be poor in spirit means to be devoid of all spiritual arrogance; not being boastful or arrogant with one's spiritual gift. That's to say, though you're spiritually endowed, yet you do not pride in it to take glory, but you redirect all glory to God. It’s important that you do not misinterpret yourself as one who is bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand yourself is by what God is and by what He does for you, not by what you are and what you do for Him. If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don’t take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy; if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate; if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face. (Romans 12:3-8)

In so doing, you're making yourself insignificant, encouraging others to follow the example of Christ and projecting the awesome power, majesty and glorious Kingdom of God. Your reward is the Kingdom of God, for unto such have you projected as you advance in ministry and not yourself. May the Lord open the eyes of our understanding to be humble and yearn to be poor in spirit.


Prayer: Abba! Father, thank You for enlightening me that, it is better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Help me to be humble in all I do and to be directed by the Holy Spirit to do Your will. For on this one will You look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My Word. I pray I become a partaker of the Kingdom in Jesus' name. AMEN! 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CHARACTER STUDY ~ APOLLOS

-
Apollos means "one who destroys or a destroyer". He was a New Testament figure who steadily grew to become a servant of Jesus through ministry. He was a staunch Jew.  Some Characteristics of Apollos: √ Apollos was endowed with great knowledge and was very outspoken. In his line of ministry, he exhibited understanding of the old canon and delivered its message boldly.  √ Despite Apollos's eloquence and knowledge, he was only vexed in the baptism of John without the knowledge that the prophecy about the Messiah had already been fulfilled. John’s baptism was the baptism unto repentance: An act of confession and turning from sin which anticipated the coming of the Messiah. Let us be informed that Christ's second return is for judgment.  √ Apollos was instructed in the way of Christ by Priscilla and Aquila, two faithful couples in Christ. After one of his public teachings, he was called aside by the couple who explained the scripture to him. His submissiveness to adhere to...
Read more

DEVOTION ~ JUDGING RIGHTEOUSLY

-
Theme: Judging Righteously Text: Genesis 38:26 26 So Judah acknowledged them and said, “She has been more righteous than I because I did not give her to Shelah my son.” And he never knew her again. Previous devotion taught us that Tamar sent the pledge Judah gave her to him to identify the owner. Upon receiving the items Judah acknowledged his wrong. Judah did not allow pride or ego to cloud his judgment but rather pointed to the role he played in leading Tamar to take such a drastic step to get pregnant. Dear beloved in the Lord, don't be quick to point people's wrong without considering yours. Let us learn from Judah to never push blame to others if we are guilty. Let us Pray: Almighty God, forgive me for employing the full rigour of the law on defaulters but failing to in my own case. Grant me sound judgment to act righteously. This I ask in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN! 
Read more

COMMAND YOUR WEEK

-
Do you feel you're forgotten, rejected or insecure? Dear beloved in the Lord, you're not forgotten, for God has engraved your name in His palms. Isaiah 49:16 See, "I have engraved you on the Palms of My Hands: Your walls are ever before Me". If God has engraved your name in His palms, it means He always sees or watches over you. Rise up and shake the fear and doubts off.  Declare, "I am not forgotten or alone. The LORD has engraved me in His Palms. Therefore, His eyes are fixed on me, and He protects me from the wicked. I decree all that I have is secured in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN! 
Read more