Tuesday, Feb 19, 2008

February 19, 2008

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February 19, 2008
Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
Jeremiah 49: 23-39; Daniel 4; 1 Thessalonians 4

Yesterday was Monday. I had hoped to get more accomplished around the house, but that just didn’t happen. In the morning I brought Susan in for a blood test. Things seem to be going well. Then I took off to do a simple plumbing job that took me till about 5:30 PM. It doesn’t seem to matter how well you plan, you still have to make several trips to the hardware store for parts you didn’t foresee. After that I came home and did a little house cleaning, showered, and spent a quiet evening at home with Susan.

This week’s theme verse. Matthew 5:3-4 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the poor in spirit… what does it mean to be poor in spirit? We all know what it means to be poor in money! It means dead broke! No bank account! Nothing, Nada, zip, penniless. Poor in spirit is similar. It means to be spiritually impoverished. It means that my spiritual bank account is empty. It means I have nothing, nada, zip, with which to “buy” spiritual things & Eternal life. The concept of “poor in spirit” is very similar to the theological doctrine called “the depravity of man,” which says, “man is a sinner, not only because of his sinful actions, but also by heredity.” He was born that way. He inherited it from mom and dad. He may not sin as much as he is potentially able to sin, but his nature is sinful. When we realize that spiritually we are destitute, unable to please God by our works and acts, we have reached the all important STAGE 1 of spiritual transformation. We are now humbly ready for God to change our spirit so that we can enter the kingdom of heaven.

Dear Father in Heaven: I am broke, destitute in my spirit. I know that I am a sinner in need of a savior. There is nothing I can do to please you but humbly surrender to you. The realization of my spiritual poverty has left me feeling empty. I feel like a beggar who can’t even by his next meal, or a prisoner who is at the mercy of his jailors. I need a savior. I need an inheritance. Thank you for riding into my world to save me. Thank you for taking me from the prison of my sins and setting me free in your house as a son and an heir. I am rich because of you! Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

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