My Daily Journal:
Post Modern Man Thirsts for the Mercy of the Trinit-“P” = PMMTMPPP = Poor in Spirit, Mourn, Meek, Thirst and Hunger, Merciful, Pure in Heart, Peacemakers, Persecuted.
I loved that the description of these that BSF used was “Eight Characteristics of True Christians.” Let me contrast that with the description “situation.”
As humans we blame situations and “stuff” a lot. Stuff happens. Bad karma (cringe!). That’s life. People mourn because something bad has happened. People are meek because they lack power or strength. People go hungry because of poverty or strife.
But in this sermon, these are situations or events or s**t that happens. These are choices. The one who is poor in spirit is the one who pours out their spirit, spending it for the benefit of others. The one who mourns is the one who cares and comes along side those in trouble and need. The one who is meek is the one who willingly lays down their power and bragging rights for the opportunity to lift up others. The one who hungers and thirst for righteousness puts righteousness above even the most basic level on our human hierarchy of needs. Merciful, Pure in Heart, Peacemaker – all choices. Persecuted because of Righteousness is the choice we share with the prophets of old, to stand on the Word of God even knowing the human hardship it will bring.
This isn’t a list of “bad things happen to people but God makes everything right in the end”. This is a list of characteristics. This is a list of choices. It is Christ describing His mission and what he is calling His followers to do in kind. We don’t need to ask WWJD – here’s the playbook.
My Answers:
3.
To receive something special, a gift. To have some who looks after you and does good for you, as in a benefactor. To be able to help or care for others with a willing and joyful heart
4.
a.
Poor:
One whose own spirit is spent, depleted or who recognizes their own spirit as insufficient
Mourn:
Sad or broken hearted. To be moved by loss or grievance to the point ot pain. To recognize ones own grievances as such.
Meek:
Humble, not boasting, not proud for owns sake
Thirst/Hunger:
One who is permeated by the desire for righteousness: emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically
Merciful:
To put others before self. To seek good for others over gain for self.
Pure in Heart:Committed to God and God alone. To trust only in Him
Peacemakers:
Peace with God through reconciliation, to be ambassadors to others on His behalf and to not discriminate in that work.
Persecuted:
One who is true to righteousness to point of suffering to maintain that position
b.
Post Modern Man Thirsts for the Mercy of the Trinit-“P” = PMMTMPPP = Poor in Spirit, Mourn, Meek, Thirst and Hunger, Merciful, Pure in Heart, Peacemakers, Persecuted.
c.
They are interlinked. For me it is to hunger and thirst more for righteousness – there is so much wickedness surrounding us you begin to accept it as the way of the world instead of recognizing it as unrighteousness and offensive to God.
The Notes are Good 