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Shocking

July 15, 2024

Hey Clawson Family!


Song: 





Scripture:


Matthew 5:1-12 NLT


The Sermon on the Mount


5 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.


The Beatitudes

3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,[a]    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.

6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,[b] for they will be satisfied.

7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.

9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.


Devotional:


When was the last time you had a great conversation? Some of the best conversations happen when friends get together to talk about the normal stuff of life. That’s exactly how Jesus began what’s usually called The Sermon on the Mount. As usual, a crowd had gathered around Jesus, but he first focused on his closest friends, the twelve disciples. 

Jesus said God blesses eight times. Sometimes, these statements are called The Beatitudes. You could think about them as the “be - attitudes,” meaning if you follow Jesus, you should be a person with these attitudes.


Today, people mostly use blessed as a hashtag. “Look at all my great stuff! Look at my great life!” 


For Jesus, blessed was much more than a hashtag. When you read blessed in these verses, substitute happy or fortunate, and be prepared for a surprise. “Happy and fortunate are those who mourn.” What does that even mean? How is that even possible? That’s exactly what Jesus wanted his friends - and us - to think about. 


Which one of these statements surprises you or catches your attention? Spend some time thinking about it.


Happy/Fortunate are those who are poor and realize their need for God.

Happy/Fortunate are those who mourn.

Happy/Fortunate are those who are humble.

Happy/Fortunate are those who hunger and thirst for justice.

Happy/Fortunate are those who are merciful.

Happy/Fortunate are those whose hearts are pure.

Happy/Fortunate are those who work for peace.

Happy/Fortunate are those who are persecuted for doing right.


These “attitudes” don’t come naturally or easily. But God can change us into be – attitude people. 


Journal: 


How can you be blessed/fortunate when difficult or challenging things happen in your life? Think of an example and write it in your journal.


Training:


Which of the attitudes in these verses do you feel you need in your life now? Take active steps to produce that in your life.


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