May 25

  • adbenson
    adbenson added a text contribution The Mercy Circle
    This may be odd to the reader, but not to the values of the Kingdom of God. This is the positive spin of the extension of mercy. It feels warm and sentimental. Why? Because we all see ourselves as merciful people and we all want to be shown mercy. The negative way of saying it (which Christ does elsewhere) has less of a hallmark feel to it--If you don't forgive, I will not forgive you. If you don't show mercy, you will not be shown mercy. Not so nice that way is it? Would you c… Read more »
  • adbenson
    adbenson added a text contribution For those of you who say, "I'm not being fed."
    It seems like I have heard a lot of people saying in reference to preaching they hear or a Sunday worship service, "I'm just not being fed...I'm just not being fed..." In some cases, this may be true where the teacher/preacher may not be rightly exposing the Bible with the appropriate skill, preparation and delivery. However, what are you hungry for? Are you hungry for "great preaching" or for "righteousness"? Are we hungry for being more and more and… Read more »

May 19

  • adbenson
    adbenson added a text contribution Meek Inherit the Earth
    This passage turns the normal order of life completely on its head. It's counter-cultural today and even more so in the context that it was delivered. Who was inheriting the earth in the original context? The Romans, the powerful, those who "made things happen"...the ones who "took life by the horns" and "made a name for themselves." We hear echoes of the "Law and Prophets"... Psalm 37:9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the L… Read more »
  • adbenson
    adbenson added a text contribution William Fitch --Poor In Spirit Defined
    "Poverty of spirit is essentially the dethronement of pride." Read more »
  • adbenson
    adbenson added a text contribution Those Who Mourn
    Mourners who are coming to understand the reality of how "poor in spirit" they are... will be comforted. It would seem here that God gives special blessing to those who have come to terms with their need. All who have gone through a significant mourning period in their lives are familiar with the reality of the desperation one feels during these times. When we are desperate we tend to call out to God to stop the pain...to help us through the pain... It's the humiliation of comi… Read more »
  • adbenson
    adbenson added a text contribution Poor In Spirit
    The Greek here is clear: poor in Spirit. It is not talking here of the financially/physically poor (Though there are many other places in the Bible that certainly point to the fact that God has a special place in his heart for those who are poor! Some commentators also make mention of the parallels bet. the two and how the primary audience would have seen them as synonymous in many ways). He is saying that the people who are poor in spirit--those who recognize their deep spiritual need for God… Read more »