Blessed are the Poor in Spirit


Meditation

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:3)

The world is full of people who practice what could be called ‘poor spiritedness.’ I know because I used to be like that. It’s not the same as being ‘poor in spirit’ at all. It’s sinful because of a lust for those baser things of life. Before I was saved, a good time and material wealth were more important than anything else. At that time in my life, I wouldn’t anymore submit myself to the will of God than I would pass up a winning lottery ticket. I loved and took care of my family, but the rest of my concerns were for my own well-being and pleasure. I guess you could say I was ‘strong in spirit’ because I never fully submitted to anyone else. If I didn’t feel like I was getting what I wanted from my job, I would quit and get another job.
When Jesus came into my life, I was suddenly a different kind of person. I’m not saying I was perfect or totally righteous, but my heart had been changed. I wanted to completely please the Lord and live in his will and plan for my life. I began by volunteering at my church. Then, it progressed to many other ways I saw to give aid and comfort to my brothers and sisters. He took away my selfishness and gave me the heart to serve anyone who needed my help. That change in spirit could never have happened without Christ. That ‘poor spiritedness’ has been emptied out. I’m no longer full of myself but full of the Lord. I’m poor in my spirit but I’m rich in the Spirit of God.
That’s what it means to be ‘poor in spirit.’ It means you have emptied yourself of your own spirit, or will, and are now totally submitted to God. You have a spirit of servanthood much like Jesus Christ and wish only to be walk in his footsteps. Along with sharing the good news at every opportunity, your witness to the unsaved is your life of good works done to show your faith in the one true God. You don’t do good deeds to be rewarded here in this life, but you will receive your reward when you reach the kingdom of heaven. It’s not your good works that save you or make you worthy to be saved. It’s the blood of Jesus that cleanses you. When we get to heaven, Jesus will be there waiting with open arms. He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into your reward.” Those are the words I long to hear. It’s to his arms that I will run.







Prayer Time

 Good Father you have riches above all because everything in existence belongs to you. You give temporary stewardship for the material possessions we hold on to. It is our human selfishness that causes us to desire those material things, and devise ways to acquire them. That’s how we become poor spirited. Our will is in full control of our actions and we have little or no time to listen to or consider what God may have in mind for us. Please Lord, empty our hearts of that spirit of selfishness. Whenever those thoughts return to our minds, help us to chase them away with a prayer for your help. Remove all traces of our egos and put your will there instead. Give us a spirit of servanthood like Jesus had. He came to seek and save the lost, which is our mission also, but he also helped the poor and the infirm. Help us to always remember to serve and help our brothers and sisters whenever a need comes to our attention. Help us to always be aware of needs and to seek them out so we can inherit paradise when we pass. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!
Location: Dansville, NY 14437, USA

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