Your breakthrough is at hand. Listen to this prophetic word, get some keys and revelations that will help you in your situation, and hear some words of knowledge at the end, you could be among those. God bless!
Welcome to the new biblical month of AV 5783 that started on July 24th at sunset. By now I believe many of you are familiar with God's precious and holy calendar. We never worship his calendar, we honor it but we worship him and keep our eyes and affections on Yeshua, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior! Yet it is essential to be aligned with Heaven and God's appointments and feasts and thank God that only redemption is passed to us in Christ. Fear no feast or month because God filtered it to us through the blood of his Son. Never receive a curse!
As I was positioning myself to hear from the Lord what he is saying to us, I received this from the Holy Spirit and I pray it blesses you as you read it and enlightens you in Jesus' name:
It is a month of BIG TIME BLESSINGS because AV means ABBA. Yes, God is your heavenly Father every month and forever but this month is named after him and holds special meanings, substances, and authority. ABBA is the provider, every dad on earth is too. In just one month, you can receive a provision for your whole vision. God can finance you for a long time in just one moment! This month can be your huge STEP, your biggest and quickest leap for your visions, dreams, and callings.
Many will connect to this truth by faith and they will not be missed by ABBA but others will read this as another entertaining prophetic word without releasing their faith! I decree you will respond to that in Jesus' name and let the blessings of this month overwhelm you. Wherever and whenever you look, BLESSINGS all around. This window of time can be a restoration month for your provision. But also the Spirit is saying, you don't need to limit ABBA to provision, yet this is the biggest part of him, but he can provide for your security, protection, affirmation, etc. Whatever you see in him and however you perceive your heavenly DAD this month, he will manifest to you.
If you feel sowing into Healed Nations Ministries this month, feel free to do this below. We pray for our partners, celebrate and honor them, and their love and support! For any donation of 75$ and more, we will sow back into you and send you by email a personal prophetic word for this month of AV 5783.
God bless you
Tony Francis
KINGDOM FOOTPRINTS
Lord, do you not care?
You may have recently experienced heartbreak, disappointment, or fear. You may have genuine reasons to doubt the very existence of God. You might wonder what kind of God allows good people to die while the wicked continue to live. Why does God allow some to suffer in poverty, sickness, and pain while others waste resources lavishly? What kind of God permits divorce, diseases, and death in the world? Does He truly care?
You are not alone. God can lift you from the depths of worry and concern to the embrace of His love and care.
“And the same day, when the evening had come, He said to them, ‘Let us pass over to the other side.' And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him as He was in the ship. And there were also other little ships with Him. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow. And they woke Him, and said to Him, ‘Master, do you not care that we perish?' And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, ‘Peace, be still.' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” – Mark 4:35-38
Your trials do not define you; they reveal the strength of your faith. God is concerned with how we face adversity.
Life is not solely lived in the light beams of the church worship hall. Life encompasses more than the time we spend with mentors, friends, and family. There will surely be times when our faith is tested, and we may find ourselves asking the Lord, “Do you not care?”
The Scriptures are clear: worry about nothing, but pray about everything.
“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” – Philippians 4:6
The disciples of Jesus had faced difficult storms before, but they had never encountered a situation as complicated as this one. Jesus was with them, yet He was sleeping. If the storm grabs your attention, then the Master can still the storm. He is there with you through calm and storm.
God's silence does not mean He is unconcerned; He is always there with you. Remember, only God can calm the storms of your life. Many things that happen in your life may be unexplainable, but in the midst of the darkest night, Jesus cares for you. Does Jesus care? Oh yes, He cares.
Good Morning
Ubong Usoro
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).
What Is Faith?
Faith is a strong feeling of trust in someone or something
For the Christian believer, faith is belief and trust in one God
According to Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”
Faith is so critical and important in our lives, as Christians, that it occurs or mentioned 100 times in the Bible – 28 times in the Old Testament and 72 times in the New Testament.
“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (Hebrews 11:3).
The world or creation itself was founded in faith when God made the following decrees;
• “Let there be light” – (Genesis 1:3)
• “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters and let divide the waters from the waters” – (Genesis 1:6)
• “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered unto one place, and let the dry land appear” – (Genesis 1:9)
• “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yield fruit according to its kind” – (Genesis 1:11)
• The decree continues until the creation of man when God said “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth” –(Genesis 1:26)
Faith is very crucial in the life of the Christian believer for the following reasons:
1) As Christian Believers, We Live By Faith
Romans 1:17 says “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written: the just shall live by faith”.
Also in Galatians 2:20 Apostle Paul tells us that “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me”.
Our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, His Son, has been made right. God declared us to be righteous because of our faith in Christ “from faith to faith”
By faithfully trusting in God by our belief in Christ, we are saved and find life not only in this world but eternally.
2) As Christian Believers, We Are Firm In The Faith
Romans 11:20 says “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high minded but fear”.
2 Corinthians 1:24 puts it thus, “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy, for by faith ye stand”.
Due to faithlessness, the Jews who are the natural branches of the tree were broken off. The Gentile believers have been grafted into the tree like a wild olive shoot. Both the Jews and Gentiles now share the tree’s nourishment based on faith in God. No one can rest on heritage or culture for salvation. The Gentiles should not feel superior to the Jews because if God had not rejected the Jews, as it were, the Gentiles probably would not have had a chance.
3) As Christian Believers, We Combat The Good Fight
1 Timothy 6:12 says “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called and has professed good profession before many witnesses”.
As Christian believers, we must have an active faith, obeying God with courage and doing what we know is right.
It is time for action on your part. What are you waiting for? – Get going, don’t wait!
4) As Christian Believers, We Walk By Faith
2 Corinthians 5:7 says “For we walk by Faith, not by sight”.
5) As Christian Believers, We Win By Faith
In 1 John 5:4 where we took our text, we are told that we can overcome whatever challenge life throws on our way, as long as we have faith and trust in God.
It says “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith”.
6) As Christian Believers, We Are Justified By Faith
Romans 5:1 puts it thus, “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Peace with God means that we have been reconciled with Him. There is no more hostility between us and God, no sin blocking our relationship with Him. Peace with God is made possible by Jesus paying the price for our sins through His death on the cross.
7) As Christian Believers, We Please God By Faith
Hebrews 11:6 tells us that “But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him”.
God wants us to have a personal dynamic relationship with Him, and not just a mere knowledge of His existence. After all the demons and witches know that God exists, that does not stop them from doing evil. Those who seek Him diligently will find that they have intimate relationship with Him. When you tell others about the gospel, please encourage them to be honest and diligent in their search for truth and faith in God.
8) As Christians Believers, We Grow In Faith
1 Thessalonian 1:3 says “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God, and our Father”.
Like the Thessalonians who stood firm in the face of persecution, Apostle Paul is admonishing us to also do the work of God produced by faith, labour prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope. These characteristics are the hall marks of an effective Christian believer.
9) As Christian Believers. We Die In Faith
“These all died in faith, not having received the promise, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers, and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13).
This world is not our home and cannot live here forever. Many people, especially of the Old Testament, died without receiving all that God promised. However, a good number of them never lost their vision of heaven.
Many of us become frustrated, and defeated when our needs, wants or expectations, are not immediately met on giving our lives to Christ, and therefore want to quit. If you are one of such people, please be patient, take courage from heroes of faith who lived and died without seeing the fruit of their faith on earth and yet, continued to believe (Hebrews 11:36-39).
Some Heroes of Faith Who Did Not See The Fruit Of Their Faith On Earth
Abel and Enoch (Hebrews 11:4-5)
Noah and Abraham (Hebrews 11:7-8)
Sarah and Isaac (Hebrews 11:11, 20)
Jacob and Joseph (Hebrews 11:21-22)
Moses and Rahab (Hebrews 11:23,31)
Boaz (Ruth 2:15-16)
Some Heroes of Faith Who Persevered And Saw The Fruit Of Faith
Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, the Prophets (Hebrews 11:32-33)
How To Grow In Faith Through Jesus Christ
“That we henceforth be no children, tossed to and fro , and caused about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14).
1) Growing In Faith Begins With The New Birth Through The Word Of God
1 Peter 2:2 says “As new born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby”.
One thing common to all children is that they want to grow up – like their big brothers and sisters or their parents. Similarly, when we are born again, we become spiritual new babies, if healthy, we will yearn to grow. The need for milk is a natural instinct for a baby, and it signals the desire for nourishment that will lead to growth. In the same way, since we see the need for God’s word and begin to find nourishment with Christ, our spiritual appetite will increase and we will start to mature. How strong is your desire for God’s word?
2) As Children, We are Fed With Milk
“For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe” (Hebrews 5:13)
Commitment to Christ moves people out of their comfort zones or positions. You cannot grow as a Christian if you remain in the same position instead of applying what you have learned to your situation and teaching others. As a new born Christian, stop your old ways of doing things, fellowship with the brethren and imbibe the new culture in Christ. In this way, you will be able to understand the high-priestly role of Christ.
3) As Adults, We Are Fed With Solid Food
“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14).
Your spiritual growth determines your capacity to feast on deeper knowledge of God (solid food). More often than not, we want God;s banquet before we are spiritually capable of digesting it. As we grow in the Lord and put into practice what we have learned, our capacity to understand will also grow.
4) Many Remain Eternal Christians
Hebrews 5:12-14 tells us “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”.
In order for us to grow from baby Christians to adult or mature Christians, we must learn discernment. We must train our consciences, minds, senses and our bodies to distinguish between good and evil. Can you recognise temptation before you? Can you tell the difference between correct text of Scripture and a mistaken one?
5) We Should All Grow And Become Adults
Ephesians 4:13-14 admonishes us to walk in unity.
Working together, the church can express the fullness of Christ – Ephesians 3:19
Christ is the Truth – John 14:6
The Holy Spirit who guides the church is the Spirit of Truth – John 16:13
Satan, by contrast, is the father of lies – John 8:44
As followers of Christ, we must be committed to the truth. This means that our words should be honest and our actions should reflect Christ’s integrity as well. We should realise that speaking the truth in love is not always easy, convenient or pleasant. However, this is very necessary if the church is going to do Christ’s work on earth. Remember that YOU are the church.
6) The Lord Looks After Our Growth
Ephesians 4:11-13 says “And He gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors, and some Teachers. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”.
The Holy Spirit has given every Christian a special gift for building up the church. Now that we have these gifts, it is imperative we use them. If you know what your gifts are, please look fo opportunity to serve the Lord and use them. If you do not know, ask God to show you, perhaps with the help of your Pastor or other Christian friends. The enormous responsibility the church has includes preaching, teaching, evangelising, healing, giving, nurturing, administering, building, etc. God has called us as members of His body to perform this responsibility. Together we can obey God more fully than anyone alone. Working together, in unity, the church can express the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 3:19).
7) The Word Is The Best Way Of Generating Our Growth In Faith
Acts 20:32 puts it this way “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified”.
Like he prayed for the Ephesians in this passage, Apostle Paul is also praying for and commending you and I to God and His Word that the more we know Christ (our model), through the word, the more we will be like Christ. Study Jesus in the Gospel to see what He was like on earth. Personal knowledge of Christ through the Word will greatly change our lives. How much of His Word do you know? How much of Him are you willing to learn?
Until you invite Jesus Christ into your life (being born again) God’s continued presence can never abide with you. Today, accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour. Ask Him to have mercy on you and forgive your sins and become the Master and Ruler of your soul, henceforth.
If you have backslid, retrace your steps back to Him right now and rededicate your life to God. However, if you have a living relationship with God, then tell others about Him – how much He loves us, He is our Savior, Redeemer and He died for our sins in order that we might not have to face the punishment that we rightly deserve. He is coming back the second time to take with Him all those who believe and accept Him, by faith, into their lives to live with Him eternally.
Congratulations if you have just accepted Jesus Christ into your life. Now look for a Bible believing church in your neighborhood to attend and you will be taught and grow in the Word of God.
God Bless You.
#PathofLife
إنّ رجولتك وهويتك ليست الهدف بل هي الوسيلة نحو الهدف. من الممكن انك تعتقد ان رجولتك هي الهدف وانا كنت افكر مثلك لوقت طويل. فكل ما يفعله الرجال في هذه الحياة هو سعيهم الدائم لتحسين رجولتهم، مظهرها وأفعالها. كثير من هؤلاء الرجال استطاعوا ملامسة تحولات رائعة في رجولتهم غير انهم لم يكتفوا ويريدون المزيد، حتى ان بعضهم فقد صوابه واتجه لأمور غريبة، مشينة احيانا ومجنونة ايضا آملين ان يروا ترقيات جديدة، مثيرة وقوية لرجولتهم وهويتهم! هل سألت نفسك لماذا لا يتوقفون؟ ما هو سبب عدم الاكتفاء هذا؟
طبعا انا لا اقول لك ان تتوقف عن العيش بتحسين دائم ولكن اريد ان اضيء لك على اعلان ناقص في حياتك سوف يأتيك بالشبع، الفرح والسلام الداخلي في هذه الناحية. وعندما تمتلك هذا الاعلان، واليقين والايمان سوف تستمر بتحولاتك الجذرية لرجولتك ولكن من مكان الاكتفاء والسلام العميق. وعندما يضيىء لك الروح القدس بهذه الحقيقة، عليك بتلمذة اصدقائك الرجال ايضا.
اكرر لك السر الكبير والعظيم هنا وهو انّ رجولتك وسيلة وليست الهدف. سأشرح اكثر واوسع لك بأمثلة. إن قصد الله لك هو ان تستمتع بهويتك بالملء. ان الله بعظمته عندما اراد ان يخلق الانسان قرر، حلم، رأى ان يصنعك رجلا في هويتك. كان من الممكن ان يكون للانسان تصميم آخر، شيئا لم نعرفه قط ولا يخطر على بالنا، غير ان الرب قال ان اعظم حالة يمكن ان يكون طوني فيها (انا، يمكنك ان تضع اسمك هنا) هو ان يكون رجلا!!! هللويا.
نعم يريد الله لك ان تتمتع بتحفتك و شكلك وصوتك وبنيتك وقراراتك وجرئتك ورجولتك بشكل عام ويريد ان يشفيها ويردها للقوة والجمال ولتصميمه الاساسي وان يحارب محاربي رجولتك على اختلافهم وهم كثر: الشيطان، تعاليم الناس الخاطئة عن الرجولة الحقيقية والالهية وانت وفهمك لذاتك. لكن بعد ان يفعل الله معك كل هذه العظائم، يريدك ان تفهم انه حسّن الوسيلة ورممها لهدف!
كم من الرجال اليوم يعيشون شكل الرجولة ولقوتها ناكرون؟ واكثرهم اصبحوا مدربين ومعلمين وكاتبي كتب في هذا المجال. نعم، سيستمر الشيطان في تلمذة الرجال بطريقة خاطئة سواء ظهروا اقوياء او مخنثين! في الحالتين المصدر واحد وهو الخداع! غير انك اليوم من اهل الحق والحرية لان الرب اراد لك ان تقرأ هذه الرسالة لينير لك حقيقة الامر ويأخذك الى اماكن مدهشة في رجولتك وهويتك!
قد تتسائل الآن ما هو الهدف من رجولتي بعد ان فهمت انها وسيلة وليست الهدف. ولماذا الله بطاقة رجل وامرأة؟ ولماذا منحني ان اذوق من جزئية شخص الله؟
الجواب هو “السلطان الالهي”. بعدما خلق الله الرجل والمرأة، بعد اعطائهم متعة الهوية أمرهم ان يتسلطوا على الارض مثله (اقرأ تكوين 1). الهوية هي منبر لتفعيل السلطان الالهي! فأنا كلبناني ولي هوية لبنانية لي السلطان ان اكون في بلدي واتمتع بكل امتيازاته. فهويتي هي الرخصة الشرعية لسطاني وسيادتي والا اكون دخيلا واجنبيا ومتعد وسوف الاحق.
يفهم الشيطان هذا المبدأ لذلك يشن حروبا شرسة على هويتنا جميعا لأنه يخاف سلطان الله في الانسان.
“عِنْدَمَا أَتَأَمَّلُ سَمَاوَاتِكَ الَّتِي أَبْدَعَتْهَا أَصَابِعُكَ، وَالْقَمَرَ وَالنُّجُومَ الَّتِي رَتَّبْتَ مَدَارَاتِهَا أُسَائِلُ نَفْسِي: مَنْ هُوَ الإِنْسَانُ حَتَّى تَهْتَمَّ بِهِ؟ أَوِ «ابْنُ الإِنْسَانِ» حَتَّى تَعْتَبِرَهُ؟ جَعَلْتَهُ أَدْنَى قَلِيلاً مِنَ الْمَلائِكَةِ إِلَى حِينٍ، ثُمَّ كَلَّلْتَهُ بِالْمَجْدِ وَالْكَرَامَةِ وَأَعْطَيْتَهُ السُّلْطَةَ عَلَى كُلِّ مَا صَنَعَتْهُ يَداكَ. أَخْضَعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ تَحْتَ قَدَمَيْهِ. الْغَنَمَ وَالْبَقَرَ وَجَمِيعَ الْمَوَاشِي، وَوُحُوشَ الْبَرِّيَّةِ أَيْضاً، وَالطُّيُورَ والأَسْمَاكَ وَجَمِيعَ الْحَيَوَانَاتِ الْمَائِيَّةِ. أَيُّهَا الرَّبُّ سَيِّدُنَا، مَا أَعْظَمَ اسْمَكَ فِي كُلِّ الأَرْضِ!” مزمور 8
لاخظ الآية الاخيرة ” أَيُّهَا الرَّبُّ سَيِّدُنَا، مَا أَعْظَمَ اسْمَكَ فِي كُلِّ الأَرْضِ!”. لن يتعظم اسم الرب في كل الأرض دون الآيات فوقها.
حتى ولو صرت أعظم الرجال مظهرا فأنت غير مكتمل بحسب القصد الالهي ولست بتهديد للشيطان واسم الرب لا يتعظم من خلال هويتك! سرق الشيطان سلطان حواء بالاغواء والخطيئة، اي بتعديل شخصيتها، ليصل الى السلطان لكي لا يملك الرب في الارض. ولكن يسوعنا استرد هويتنا وسلطاننا بعد ان صار ابن الانسان من اجلنا وينل هذا كل من يؤمن به. لكن بعد هذا العمل العظيم الذي فعله المسيح هل فعلا نجعل اسم الرب عظيما في كل الارض كرجال ونساء الله؟
ان السيارة هي الوسيلة وليست الهدف، فاذا كانت سيارتك خربانة او ملتوية فلن تذهب بعيدا او لن تذهب مطلقا. ان هويتك هكذا! احمل الصفات الالهية فيك كرجل، فكر مثل الرب، تكلم مثله، افعل مثله وليكن مظهرك مشفيا ايضا ولكن تذكر الهدف الاعظم والاسمى منها. أيها الرجال كونوا رجالا لمجد الله! آمين
الرب يباركك
طوني فرنسيس
Changing the Culture of the Spheres of Influence through the Beatitudes
Changing the Culture of the Spheres of Influence through the Beatitudes y Lilian Schmid – Strategist and Prayer Coordinator for The Prayer Strategy Spheres of Influence International
Introduction
How can we use Jesus’ Command to “love one another” (John 13:33-34) change the 21st century culture which is affected by sin: every sphere of influence in our society has been corrupted and affected by the ungodly activities which are operating to destroy humanity. Modern life has become multi-faceted and hectic with the following spheres/domains dominating and competing for ours and our families' time, money, affections and ambitions. These spheres or domains are:
In the Old Testament God promised to mend that which had been lost in the Fall by reinstituting peace on earth. Through Ezekiel, the Lord looked forward to such restoration for his people:
“And I will make a covenant of peace with them, an everlasting covenant. I will give them their land and multiply them, and I will put my Temple among them forever. I will make my home among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Ezek 37:26-27).
Peace will come by God’s effort. The result will be material blessing and, most importantly, a mended relationship between people and God. The prophet Isaiah brought a message similar to that of Ezekiel: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns” (Isa 52:7). God’s peace is integrally related to his salvation, to the restoration of his reign on earth. When God saves, he will restore his kingdom so that those who live under his rightful rule will experience the fullness of his peace.
Jesus entered the world as the one who would fulfil the mission of the Suffering Servant, thus bringing divine peace. Even before Jesus was born, one of his relatives proclaimed what God was about to do: “By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:78-79)
How the Beatitudes will Bring Change to the Spheres of Influence in Our Society
“The beatitudes reveal to us eight qualities that bring God's blessing: meekness and mercy, poorness in spirit and purity of heart, mourning and hunger, peacemaking and persecution. Jesus highlighted these to offer both encouragement and instruction on living distinctly as his followers in a world with values much different from God's. As we study these qualities and integrate them into our lives, we will receive the blessing Jesus promised to his followers then and now”.
(The Beatitudes: Developing Spiritual Character by John R.W. Stott)
Looking at the Beatitudes as a kind of ladder, an ascent, we can discover some amazing things about spirituality and its fundamental relationship to the world. The Beatitudes have intense significance in a world where many Christians want to change others and the world from the top down, through forced conformity rather than genuine conversion. The Beatitudes are the essence, the lifeblood and beating heart of authentic, ancient and living Christianity. They are (from Mt 5:3-10):
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The Beatitudes express the idea that peace comes from peacemakers who are characterised by their poverty of spirit, their ability to mourn for the world, their lack of attachments or clinging to personal rights, their hunger for the healing of the world, their extreme mercy extended even towards their worst enemies, and their purity of heart. Peacemakers, according to Christ, are the instruments who bring peace to the world because they exemplify these characteristics. Change comes from the inside and moves towards the external. Peacemakers are persecuted because they present a challenge to authority which compels from the outside but cannot penetrate the interior.
Jesus' Sermon on the Mount begins by talking about the kingdom of heaven. A kingdom has a king, subjects, a place, and the ways of the king and his kingdom. It is where this particular king is reigning. So when Jesus teaches, He is not just advocating rules or giving advice. He is talking about a place or, more accurately, a realm where the ruler is God. And what is God’s kingdom like? What is God like as a king? Who are His subjects? And what are the ways of God? You can see that Jesus speaks about all these things in the Beatitudes. We learn about who the subjects of this kingdom are: the poor in spirit, those who mourn, etc. The true King of this universe is the One who gives the kingdom, who comforts, gives the earth to His children, and so on. Jesus is telling them about the wonder and goodness of living under the reign of God. The creator of this universe is the king of every sphere of influence, Jesus is the author of these spheres and we are the witnesses to bring real changes into them by proclaiming God’s kingdom on each one of them.
How the Kingdom will manifest its Power in the Spheres
First of all Jesus is speaking about the kingdom as a present and future reality. We can truly possess the kingdom of heaven here and now on the earth. We can enjoy the truth of this at least to some extent. The people of the kingdom are blessed. The word “blessed” always implies that the one doing the blessing is God. To be blessed is to be favoured or honoured by God. “Blessed” is a passive term. The one who is blessed is receiving from God His notice and favour. We can bring blessing to others that we meet within our sphere of influence.
So who are those who are blessed in the kingdom of heaven? And why are they blessed? In looking over the Beatitudes, we are immediately struck that Jesus is saying the unexpected, to say the least! The qualities of the blessed on Jesus’ teaching are not at all what we think of when we consider those we believe to be blessed.
To be blessed is to have value as human beings from our (Government), to have good health (Health and Science), to be secure and protected (Law and Justice), have great success in one’s endeavours (Business), creative and artistic (Arts), athletic (Sport and Recreation), freedom of speech and ideas (Faith and Philosophy), rich in Knowledge (Education), helping others in need to live (Charity and Not For Profit Welfare), spreading Christian values through technology (Media). These are the qualities we tend to associate with being blessed.
Jesus brings a new dimension to human life through the Sermon on the Mount. In the Beatitudes he teaches us the quality of life that we are hungry for. Every sphere of influence needs these kingdom qualities to be proclaimed in them. The qualities He includes are actually what we would normally consider indications of someone not being blessed! The person who we naturally think is blessed is favoured to have the kingdom of heaven now and a future fullness in comfort, inheritance, satisfaction, mercy, etc. The blessing then that these people receive is not to be poor in spirit, mourning, or meek. Rather, the presence of these qualities is thought to be a sign that the person is not cursed, but actually blessed. Paradoxically in Jesus teaching one can be called blessed when they are poor in spirit because being poor in spirit is a sign that she/he is looking for the very thing God the King is giving: His kingdom. You can see that there is a connection in the message of Jesus between the person who is blessed and why they are blessed, where every person who is a witness to Christ in the Marketplace can bring a blessing to these domains or spheres.
God our King desires indeed to bless us, to bless our families, our church, our work. Through our mission we can transform our society by applying the teaching of the Beatitudes through each one of us. We can be a part of bringing the reality of the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. To understand that to be blessed here and now is to find we are being made ready to receive all these things forever.
Jesus is telling us about His kingdom. We see that God greatly desires to bless His people in a full and complete way. God is not going to give sparingly – just some comfort, or a small inheritance. And what God is doing in His people now, when He is blessing them, is that He is making them able more and more to hope in, receive, long for, the very riches He is giving. If we are in Christ we are a new creation: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Co 5:17).
So as blessed people:
Amen.