LISTENING TO THE HEART OF THE MASTER: Part 3

WEEK #1 of BLESSINGS
June 17, 2007

Told the story of our week working at the new building. I “feel” blessed.

When are you blessed? PART 1
Ο More money?
Ο When your kids arrive?
Ο When you follow God’s laws/commands?
Ο Jesus seems to say that our blessing is wrapped up in something different that what we’re used to.
Ο How and why are we blessed are wrapped up in attitude.

ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT
 Matthew 5:1-12
 “God helps those who help themselves” IS NOT SCRIPTURE.
 When we begin to listen to Jesus’ heart, it is much different.
 Our need is preeminent to our blessings.

BLESSING THE DOWNHEARTED (letting go of self)
 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (NIV)
 God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. (NLT)
 You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. (Message)

BLESSING THOSE WHO’VE LOST (letting go of people)
 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (NIV)
 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (NLT)
 You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. (Message)

BLESSING THE HUMBLE (letting go of stuff)
 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (NIV)
 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. (NLT)
 You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. (Message)

BLESSING THE STARVED (letting go of physical need)
 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (NIV)
 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. (NLT)
 You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat. (Message)

Matt said last week that it’s about “right relationships at all costs.” If this is true, then our relationship reworking begins with our letting go of what we want and GRABBING hold of what God wants from us. Then, he swoops in and blesses us.