YOU ARE BLESSED!

SEEING THE crowds, He went up on the mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.

2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them saying:

3 Blessed-happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous [that is, with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions]-are the poor in spirit (the humble, rating themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!

4 Blessed and enviably happy, [with a happiness produced by experience of God's favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace] are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted!

5 Blessed-happy, blithesome, joyous, spiritually prosperous [that is, with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions]-are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering), for they shall inherit the earth!

6 Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous [that is, in the state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!

7 Blessed-happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous [that is, with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions]-are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!

8 Blessed-happy, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous [that is, possessing the happiness produced by experience of God's favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions]-are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!

9 Blessed-enjoying enviable happiness, spiritually prosperous [that is, with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions]-are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the sons of God!

10 Blessed and happy and enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous [that is, in the state in which one enjoys and finds satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of his outward conditions], are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!

11 Blessed-happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous [that is, with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions]-are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account.

12 Be glad and supremely joyful, for your reward in heaven is great (strong and intense), for in this same way people persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:1-12).

[Amplified Bible].

5:3-12 The Beatitudes are comprised of three elements: a pronouncement of blessing, a quality of life, and a reason why the recipient should be considered blessed. The first element is found in the word blessed (see Psalm 1:1), which introduces each attitude. The second element does not describe different groups of people, but a composite picture of the kind of person who will inherit Christ's kingdom. The third element looks ahead to some aspect of the coming kingdom.

[THE NKJV STUDY BIBLE Second Edition].

[www.sowersoftheword.blogspot.com].

JESUS IS LORD.

IN GOD'S KINGDOM, SERVANTS ARE LEADERS

Instruction About Ambition

Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.

And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom."

But Jesus answered and said, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able."

So He said to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father."

And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers.

But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.

Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.

And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-

Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:20-28).

20:26-27 The measure of greatness is not position, power, or prestige; it is service.
[THE NKJV STUDY BIBLE Second Edition].

[www.sowersoftheword.blogspot.com]. JESUS IS LORD.


 

GIVE HONOR TO THE ELDERS

Let the elders who perform the duties of their office well be considered doubly worthy of honor [and of adequate financial support], especially those who labor faithfully in preaching and teaching.
For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain, The laborer is worthy of his hire. (1 Timothy 5:17-18). [Amplified Bible].

5:17 The primary function of elders is to rule well. The word honor was used in ancient writings outside the Bible to refer to financial remuneration. Double refers to two types of honor: (1) respect for ruling well and (2) adequate pay for their diligent care of the church (see 1 Cor 9:1-14). Those who labor in the word of doctrine are those elders who preach and teach the Scriptures.

5:18 For the Scripture says: With two quotations, one from Deut 25:4 and the other from the words of Christ in Luke 10:7, Paul provides proof for the principle of providing adequate financial care for elders. The Luke passage is especially note-worthy because it shows that the Gospel was considered by Paul to be Scripture along with the Book of Deuteronomy.
[THE NKJV STUDY BIBLE Second Edition].

[www.sowersoftheword.blogspot.com].

JESUS IS LORD. 

OCTOBER IS PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH: SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

(1 Timothy 5:17-18).
 

Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:7, 17).

[www.sowersoftheword.blogspot.com].

JESUS IS LORD.

BRAND NEW MERCIES

Through the LORD'S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23).
[NKJV STUDY BIBLE Second Edition].

[www.sowersoftheword.blogspot.com]. JESUS IS LORD.