"And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:1-16)
Today's Morsel: When I was in the army, I had many things I could use to adjust a soldier's attitude when they didn't do what they were told. We could use administrative punishment, but my favorite was, "The School of the Soldier." The School of the Soldier was training conducted on the weekend during the soldier's free time, the time they were supposed to be off duty. But because some didn't do what they were supposed to do, I would take their weekend and free time away for training. The training I gave them would be according to the infraction that they had committed. It was always so amazing to watch soldiers become humble and adjust their attitude when they knew their free time was going to be taken away.
Jesus' teaching on what is called, "The Sermon on the Mount", was a message about our attitudes and how we should live our lives. Some have said that Jesus taught us these beatitudes so we could improve our attitudes, as people do not have a positive or negative attitude, but rather a good or evil one. If we say that we are Christians, then our attitude must be a good one. Even those with an evil attitude can adjusted them into good ones. The Psalmist said all they have to do is take heed to the Word of God. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word"(Psalms 119:9). When people obey God's Word, they will change. This is why the beatitudes are so important for us to learn and to know. God's Word will accomplish what He sends it to do. And today many need attitude adjustments. That's why home Bible studies and daily devotions are so important, they help to adjust our attitudes.
Sing: He's all I need, He's all I need, Jesus is all I need. He's all I need, He's all I need, Jesus is all I need.
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