Tuesday, November 25, 2008

MITN V

1. One day, when Jesus saw how large the crowds were becoming, He climbed up to a high part of a mountainside and just sat down, looking out over them. When the disciples saw him sitting there, they climbed up to where He was.

2. When they had all come up higher together, He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying:

3. “Blessed are the poor in spirit – those who have been broken emotionally and whose self-esteem has been severely damaged – for they have the opportunity to rethink their lives, and are in a position to receive total restoration by seeking the kingdom of/from the heavens!

4. “Blessed are those who are in mourning – those whose dreams have been shattered, who have known nothing but heartbreak and disappointment – for they have the promise that they shall be completely comforted!

5. “Blessed are the meek – those who regularly exercise strength under perfect control – for their restraint, humility and self-control will ultimately cause them to literally inherit the earth!

6. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness – the seekers who want more, who refuse to settle for the religious status quo, and who earnestly desire to embrace all truth – for they shall be spiritually satisfied!

7. “Blessed are the merciful – the ones who are quick to forgive and move on, who are slow to judge, and are unwilling to condemn – for they themselves shall obtain mercy in their own lives!

8. “Blessed are the pure in heart – those who do not live by hidden agendas and ulterior motives…the unpretentious…the real people experiencing the real God in the real world – for they shall be able to see God fully and clearly, and without any optical obstruction!

9. “Blessed are the makers and maintainers of peace – the ones who build the bridges, tear down the walls, and are repairers of the breach – for their noble and humanitarian efforts shall cause them to be called the very sons of God!

10. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake – those who are misunderstood, misquoted and misjudged for their beliefs, and are hated for their stand for the truth – for their clear vision will reveal the kingdom of/from the heavens on the earth!

11. “Blessed are you, even when people revile you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil things against you, and make up hurtful and ridiculous rumors about you on My account.

12. “You must see the persecution for what it is and not take it personally. You should actually be glad and even joyful when you experience it, for your reward in heaven is great…strong and intense…and you are in good company, for in this same way people persecuted the prophets who came before you.

13. “You are, in a sense, the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost the strength of its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is then useless…not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and walked on by oblivious people.

14. “You are also the light of the world…a well-lit metropolis built on a hill that cannot be hidden or ignored in any way.

15. “Think about it: no one lights a lamp and then covers it up and obscures its radiance. On the contrary, a lamp is made to be lit and then fixed somewhere up high on a lamp stand, so that it can burn brightly and illuminate the entire house.














16. “So let your own personal light unashamedly shine before the public that they may see your obvious excellence and the demonstration of your good deeds and acts of kindness, and, as a result, glorify your Father Who is in the heavenly realm.

17. “Look, don’t think that I have come to do away with or undo the Law or the Prophets; in fact, I have come not to do away with or undo them, but to complete and fulfill them and to make them finally make sense to you.

18. “I tell you in all honesty, until the sky and earth pass away and perish, not one smallest letter nor one little punctuation mark will pass from the Law until all the things that it foreshadows are accomplished.

19. “Whoever then does away with or relaxes one of the least important of these commandments and teaches people to do the same shall be called least important in the kingdom of/from the heavens; his religion will trivialize him. But he who practices them and teaches others to do so shall be called great in the kingdom of/from the heavens; he will cause the Law to come alive and accomplish its true purpose in the lives of people.

20. “For I tell you, unless your righteousness is more than that of the superficial scribes and pretentious Pharisees, you will never enter the reign or the kingdom of/from the heavens.

21. “You have heard that it was said in times past, ‘You shall not kill, and whoever kills shall be liable to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the court.’

22. “But I say to you that everyone who continues to be angry with his or her brother or sister, and harbors malice and heart-enmity against another, shall be unable to escape the same punishment imposed by the same court; and whoever speaks contemptuously and insultingly to a brother or sister shall be liable to experience the punishment imposed by the Sanhedrin. And those who are in the habit of randomly saying, ‘You stupid idiot!’ to others may be inviting unnecessary violence to themselves, and could even end up on a heap of garbage and burning rubble in the dump at Gehenna, just outside the city of Jerusalem.

23. “So if and when you are offering your gift at the altar and you remember that your brother has any grievance against you,

24. “leave your gift at the altar and go make peace with your brother (you don’t need too many enemies), and then come back and present your gift.

25. “Come to terms quickly with your accuser, or with one who is adversarial with you, while you are on the way traveling with him, so that your accuser doesn’t decide to hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.

26. “You know how the system works…you will not be released from prison until you have paid the last penny of the fine that you owe.

27. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’

28. “But I say to you that anyone who even looks at someone and fantasizes about committing adultery with them has already done so in his or her heart.

29. “So if looking at someone causes you to lust after them – especially if they are off-limits to you (as in another man’s wife or another woman’s husband) – then pluck out your right eye and throw it away before your lust gets you into trouble. It is better to lose one of your bodily members than to be stoned for adultery, or killed by a jealous husband or wife, and have your whole body thrown onto the burning garbage dumb at Gehenna, in the Valley of Hinnom!

30. “And if your right hand serves as a trap to ensnare you, or causes you to steal or to hurt someone, cut it off and cast it from you. Again, it is better that you lose one of your members than that your entire body should be thrown into the garbage-fires of Gehenna, and your entire life be thrown away because of some silly foolishness.

31. “It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must simply give her a certificate of divorce…no questions asked.’

32. “But I tell you, whoever just casually dismisses and divorces his wife for no good or valid reason, such as unfaithfulness or infidelity, will inadvertently cause her to go out and commit adultery herself. And whoever marries a woman who has been divorced in this way will inadvertently commit adultery with her, seeing that she will more than likely still consider herself married to her previous husband.

33. “Again, you have heard that it was said in ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but you shall perform your oaths to the Lord as a religious duty.’

34. “But I tell you, do not foolishly bind yourselves by an oath at all…either by heaven, for it is the throne of God;

35. or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.

36. “And do not even swear by your head, for it is not absolute; you are not able to make a single hair white or black.

37. “Just let your ‘Yes’ simply be ‘Yes’; likewise, let your ‘No’ be simply ‘No’ – no more, no less. Anything more than that implies that you are not honest enough for people to believe that your word alone is your bond. It makes it appear as if you are a liar like the adversary.

38. “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’

39. “But I want you to see things in a whole new way. I say to you, do not resist the evil man who injures you – choose your battles. If anyone strikes you on the right jaw or cheek, turn to him the other one too, initially. Your moral authority in this case will prove that you are stronger than your opponent, and that you don’t have to stoop to his level!

40. “And if anyone wants to sue you and take the very shirt off your back, let him have your coat also. It will prove that you see a bigger picture, one in which your Father in heaven will reward you with new shirts and a new coat!

41. “Along the same lines, if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. It will prove that God is your strength and that you are nobody’s victim!

42. “Give to him who keeps on begging from you and do not turn away from him who would borrow from you. It will prove that you are the prosperous one, the one who knows that God is his source.

43. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

44. “But I want you to rethink that. I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

45. to show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven and that love always and ultimately wins. And anyway, the truth is, whether you like it or not, that He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers, alike.

46. “So if you only love those who love you, where is the reward in that? Don’t you know that even the tax collectors do that?

47. “And if you only acknowledge and speak to your own people, what more than others are you doing? Don’t you know that even those of the nations do that?

48. “These ideas are new to you and alien to your religious mindset, but you can do all of this because I have declared you to be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect. You therefore must already be perfect, even if you don’t realize it yet and even if you don’t act like it yet, because I have come to reveal, once and for all, that you are created in the Father’s perfect image.

38 comments:

Erik said...

So, Bishop, as I read Matthew Chap 5, in this paraphrase, which is excellent, and in The Spirit, it is surprisingly satisfying. I generally think of myself as John perception, but the detail in Matthew, especially as you have brought it out, I see so much in Matthew that is so much the foundation. Clearly in this chap. 5, ,freedom abounds.

The law is reconstructed, in tact, but encompassing and equalizing thought, intent, with action. Fully supported, since all action originates in thought as all manifestation originates in The Spirit. Praise God Reconciliation and Grace originate in The Spirit, and in our thoughts. Which brings all action and manifestation under Grace, and still within the law. Lawful under grace, and expedient as we are purified through Love.

Chap 5 is so cool, and such a practical Primer of what we learn at the outset, applied throughout all of our lives, especially those w are in close contact with, those who affect our lives regularly and personally. Often, these can be among our ‘enemies’ , and of course those especially loved.

This whole chapter, as the whole Book, and all of what we call ‘The New Testament’ entwines with itself, confirming on one hand, and expanding on the other. Praise God !!!

Erik said...

Hey, got to follow up here on yesterday, Anon 735 ---

This experience is part of This part of The Body,of This Nexus is so beneficial, that there is NO reason at all to stay away.

Whatever hindrance, whatever ANY person,even Bishop , might think, you have got to be here. Heck,I will take the heat so you can be here. Whatever and whoever, there is no situation, no matter who and what that overrides the need of your presence, as confirmed by your desire and thought.

I am good, and I know I have been blessed. If need be, I will give you my spot, that is how important it is. Since clearly this is in your heart, come. Truly, I will give up my spot and covering to you,(whatever that actually is). I will always be good, and covered.

So,come, if needed, you can come in under any Grace I have been given. It is yours, not because I value it little, but because I see the abundance that simply cannot be overstated. Be the part of THIS Nexus that God has necessarily included you in.

Come,eat and drink for free (free of any perceived loss for yourself). Truly.

Anonymous said...

1. When the disciples saw him sitting there, they climbed up to where He was.

Sitting atop a mountain's summit probably had its acoustical advantages. I just love the imagery, wondering if you meant to portray it that way, Bish; the lower case "h" in him and the upper case H a few words later.

I'm imagining that once His disciples (attendants, entourage, etc.) perceived Who He was, they ascended to where He was.

2. When they had all come up higher together, He opened His mouth and began to teach them... reminds me of Isaiah's, "He's made my mouth like a sharp sword."

Son of Zadok said...

I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; and one of the elders said to me, "Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals."

REV 5: 1-5 NAS

ver: presiona

No matter the persona, we're all really the same.

Anonymous said...

Doing something that has never been done before...

One day, when Jesus saw how large the crowds were becoming, He climbed up to a high part of a mountainside and just sat down, looking out over them. When the disciples saw him sitting there, they climbed up to where He was.

I love how you have paraphased MITN and I expecially love today's.

When we first came to the church, I dreamed that the entire church was walking up a huge mountain backwards. When we all got to the top, you were sitting up there in your recliner waiting to preach.

When we walked out of CITN the other day backwards it reminded me of my dream.
Even more large crowds are coming...

tracy said...

V 48 reminds me of what you said on Sunday about prayer as usual being a thing of the past and decreeing a thing. That is ultimately what Jesus did- so why would the formula not be the same for us? And P Dennis read what you wrote in response to Donald's post about the temptation of the "devil" with the bread. That is a good answer. Jesus could forego that because He sensed something better was coming. I like that answer. And Bishop as Bailey would say "You onna ball Bittop"! Ya'll pray for Bryan ( 17 year old son)-never mind- how bout ya'll decree healing-- had his wisdom teeth out yesterday and looks like a chipmunk. He is kind of own his own today because mama is not real good with things of the mouth and blood throws me over the edge. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me...say it with me ya'll.....

NTL said...

Anon 7:35 yesterday,

Just come on home. Your place at the table is waiting, on you.

Anonymous said...

Stained glass pic: Wonder if that's Jesus Whose Face is obscured by all the foliage.

See?

Looks like a neck, shoulders & purple robe. Their gazes are upward & outward, while He's planted amidst them.

Anonymous said...

Bishop Jim,
I am amazed; I really do not know how you do it. writing a new version of the bible a chapter a day mind you; and still keeping up with God only knows what in your other responsibilities.

Another very clear readable yet scholarly amplification of this Gospel.

8. “Blessed are the pure in heart – those who do not live by hidden agendas and ulterior motives…the unpretentious…the real people experiencing the real God in the real world – for they shall be able to see God fully and clearly, and without any optical obstruction! I would not have made the connection but it fits perfectly here.

Also another connection I have never seen is in verse 9. “Blessed are the makers and maintainers of peace – the ones who build the bridges, tear down the walls, and are repairers of the breach I know without a shadow of a doubt that this is the back bone and foundation of my calling and purpose as God made clear to me over 30 years ago; but I have never seen it in this verse as it is made very clear here. Bridge builder, repairer of the breach, Yes I knew that; but peacemaker No, I never made the connection until NOW.

the kingdom of/from the heavens I wish we could do more with this phrase. I also have looked at it in the Greek, and I am no Greek scholar; but I cannot see a clear way to bring the exact meaning over into English as many have struggled with. This phrase in the original is like a stick of dynamite; small but loaded with awesome power. It is so packed with meaning it is hard to put into English.

V13 thrown out and walked on by oblivious people. another eye opener, or should I say can opener!

V29 have your whole body thrown onto the burning garbage dumb at Gehenna, in the Valley of Hinnom! I wish to God that all the other translation were as honest and clear in their translation of the underlying Greek text. If it were so we would be living in a much better world today; I’m sure of it. The mental and emotional problems that this little phrase being terribly mistranslated has caused are astounding. Causing much of the chaos and heartbreaking meanness in the world today.

I am delighted that you keep bringing us back to the whole point of the matter which is what John and Jesus both began their ministry saying for instance in verse 39. “But I want you to see things in a whole new way. 44. “But I want you to rethink that. 48. “These ideas are new to you and alien to your religious mindset,
Looking back to John saying in 3:2 and saying, “It’s time for a complete paradigm shift! You must begin to think differently about God and about your relationship to Him, “repent” in the traditional versions which is translated from a compound Greek word which actually means to “re-think” or “think again” and also in Mk 1:15 Jesus said the same thing as He began His ministry. So I think it is good that you are driving the point home in these verses; and in keeping with the original and foundational principles laid down at the beginning. Keeping this in mind is doing much to clarify what is being said later in these chapters.

Peace,
Dennis

Anonymous said...

I've always sped through verse 6, reasoning that it was satan's way of tempting Jesus. But, I just now wondered why this was one of the tests.

Was it a prelude to the Lord bearing His destiny in His own hands? If Jesus threw Himself off the tower, it would prove that He could be confounded.

As God's chief corner stone, He was obedient to Abba's words - even to death & became the stumbling stone ; the rock of offense to the disobedient.

Linda Luke said...

...thought you all might like...

ps...also liked P. Dennis and Izumi/JOY's take on Donalds post in regards to Jesus response to satan on the mtn!



DIRECTIONS TO OUR FATHER'S HOUSE

Make a Right onto Believeth Blvd. Keep straight and go through the Green Light, which is Jesus Christ. There, you must turn onto the Bridge of Faith , which is over troubled water. When you get off the bridge, make a Right turn and Keep Straight. You are on the King's Highway - Heaven-bound. Keep going for three miles: One for the Father, One for the Son, and One for the Holy Ghost. Then exit off onto Grace Blvd. From there, make a Right turn on Gospel Lane . Keep Straight and then make another Right on Prayer Road As you go on your way, Yield Not to the traffic on Temptation Ave. Also, avoid SIN STREET because it is a DEAD END. Pass up Envy Drive , and Hate Avenue . Also, pass Hypocrisy Street , Gossiping Lane , and Backbiting Blvd. However, you have to go down Long-suffering Lane , Persecution Blvd. And Trials and Tribulations Ave. But that's all right, because VICTORY Street is straight ahead! AMEN!!!!! Unknown

Anonymous said...

Psaml 106:1 says- Give thanks to The Lord, for His Love and Mercy are good; and they endures FOREVER & EVER, Amen!! WE just want to encourage you Today with His LOVE & MERCY. And WE also would like to take this time to give thanks to each one of you that play a role in our lives. WE thank you ...
HAVE A VERY HAPPYY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
LOVE FRITZ & KETTLY DUCHATELLIER

I'll be posting something later on about MITN. chapte V

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Nice observation, Erik...I know what the more liberal scholars say about each of the gospel writers copying off of the same manuscript...whatever about that...I do think, however, that each of the four gospels serve a particular purpose, as I have taught many times...

Point being, I like what you said about Matthew, even though you consider yourself to be more of a John sympathizer...

Anonymous said...

What ones say's doesn't matter
It's what the Father say's that matters.

My biggest thanks for this Thanksgiving is that I'm Alive.

Have a blessed
Thanksgiving

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Once again, Izumi, you've noticed something that I hoped people would see about verse 1 (P. Nanacy saw it, too)...you're both visionaries...

Thanks for the insight...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Scroll pic is very cool, SOZ...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Thanks, Tracy...

I speak a word of healing to Bryan...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

P. Dennis, as I said before, your feedback is valuable to me...I even look for it after I post...I was particularly anxious for you to see the passages about Gehenna...

After having visited the Valley of Hinnom this summer (which is not on fire now, by the way), those passages are even more real to me, and I have an even greater desire for people to understand what Jesus was talking about...

Thanks for the support...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

You bring a lot of energy to the blog, Crownjewel...thanks...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Thanks, Fritz and Kettly...we'll wait to hear from you later...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Glad you're alive too, Laura...

Anonymous said...

The beatitudes as we call them have mostly been mixed with beauty and perplexity for me. Much of the beauty has been preserved in translations outside of KJV but the perplexity if anything has increased, with some exceptions in the Message. Your version however is so akin to the way that my mind processes things that much more of the perplexity has been resolved. Verses three, eight and nine in particular are like, why didn't I see that before, for me.

I also greatly appreciate the studious input from Pastor Dennis. His confirmations and commentary is synergistic to the chapter.

Regarding verse 13 Dennis, for me there is not a negative here.

When the salt lost its savor, it did not lose its ability to react as a sodium compound on behalf of those who walked on it. Jesus, knowing about the healing properties of salt as He would have, spoke for others of a later generation to understand that just because the salt lost its ability to enhance flavor did not mean it was worthless but rather could be cast into a place where it would do some good for people who were unaware of it.

In their time they may have thought it was worthless but the Spirit that directed them to throw it into the path of others to walk on knew that the cast away salt would perform healing in the form of killing bacteria to prevent desease and in the drawing out of toxins that were in the feet of those who walked on it. I realize that sounds a little over the top in the optimism department but that is just the way I like to roll, most of the time.

I also would like to add my warm invitation to anon from yesterday to come on in and be at ease with the rest of us who are not without sin. I consider myself to be optimistic but have actually been caught on tape ranting and shouting obscenities toward another human being who had deliberately set me up by pushing my patience over the edge. That is pretty hard to live down and is still available as a document to prove that all of my show of optimism is just pretentiousness.

Oh well, I'm sorry honey.

It is better for me to get over what ever my moment of gratifying the flesh has done to undo what is most consistent about me. That satan just has to get behind me and push me forward in my journey to fulfill the greatest of all commandments in this life.

Anon at 745 on 11/24, we are Love and so are you, come on home friend

JB

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Bish. Studying the Scriptures is so fun! I often have different cartoon balloons floating across my mindscreen throughout the day, from just one verse! (just takes me awhile to write it out)

There's so many points that I've missed addressing. For instance, your trip to Israel & the mention of the position of the crosses on the road, as opposed to artists' portrayals on a hill. I thought, Even better! That only made Him more accessible!

* Thank you Crownjewel & JB (yesterday's post)

Anonymous said...

LORD, THANK YOU

"Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes;
we have plenty of food to eat.

Thank you for this pile of dirty, smelly laundry;
we have plenty of nice clothes to wear.

And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those
unmade beds; they were so warm and comfortable
last night. I know that many have no bed.

My thanks to you, Lord, for this messy bathroom,
complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy,
grimy towels and dirty lavatory; they make life
so convenient. I know of places without water
to drink.

Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator
that needs cleaning. It has served us faithfully
for many years. It is full of cold drinks and
enough leftovers for two or three meals.

Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely
must be cleaned today; It has baked so many things
over the years.

The whole family is grateful for the tall grass
that needs mowed. My kids are healthy and able
to run and play in it.

Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting
me says you have richly blessed my family. I shall
do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the
alarm rings, thank you, Lord, that I can hear.
There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the
morning light as long as possible, thank you,
Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising,
thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise.
There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic,
when socks are lost, toast is burned and tempers
are short, my children are so loud, thank you,
Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like
the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times
not balanced, there are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job is very often
monotonous, thank you, Lord, for the opportunity
to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day
to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest,
thank you, Lord, for life."

Linda Luke said...

THANK YOU Bishop!!! This place energizes me because of the love, inspiration and instructions for LIFE that just flows like a river here!

Hugs to you & Pastor Debye and all my fam here!

Giving thanks for each one of you!

Anonymous said...

How sweet this bond of perfectness,
The wondrous love of Jesus;
A pure foretaste of heaven’s bliss,
Oh, fellowship so precious!
Oh, brethren, how this perfect love
Unites us all in Jesus!
One heart, and soul, and mind we prove
The union heaven gave us.
The bond that circles heaven’s pure—
Oh, wondrous, wondrous story!—
Has dropped around the holy here,
And fills us all with glory.
Oh, praise the Lord for love divine
That binds us all together;
A thousand chords our hearts entwine,
Forever and forever.
“God over all and in us all,”
And through each holy brother;
No pow’r of earth or hell, withal,
Can rend us from each other.
Oh, mystery of heaven’s peace!
Oh, bond of heaven’s union!
Our souls in fellowship embrace,
And live in sweet communion.

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Hey JB, I was really surprised (I say that to keep from saying "disappointed") that there wasn't any dialogue about the Beatitudes here today...I really poured a lot into all of Chapter 5, especially that section, and to finally see someone touch on it was a welcome sight...

Thanks for caring...

Also, I think your take on the salt is very good...I look for the positive spin on every Scripture, even the threats and warnings...my paradigm causes me to search for The Gospel...the good news...in every passage...so your proactive and knowledgable explanation works for me...

Erik said...

Hi Everyone,

Bishop,. I did not know there was a theory that the gospel writers copied off of the same document.

I guess I am not sure what the point of believing that would be by some scholars. So, if I stumbled into a presentation of that, it was not conscious. I don’t think it would be fun from (actually written manuscript) , in one view, suppose Jesus was a manuscript, an epistle, as all of Creation is. In that broad point, I suppose.

Definitely each of the gospels serve a distinct purpose, as does the post resurrection testimony of Paul and Timothy (maybe I missed one, who was not there with Jesus?).

No liberal scholar push from me, I might be a scholar, although that can be disputed, but liberals would probably object loudly if I were included in their ranks.

My most likely group are creationists, because I just Love Creation.

Larry Usher said...

Not sure why, but here is a one word description of each verse of Matt 5:

1) Perception
2) Unity
3) Restoration
4) Comfort
5) Covenant
6) Satisfaction
7) Forgiveness
8) Openness
9) Reconciliation
10) Enlighteners
11) Longsuffering
12) Steadfast
13) Preservers
14) Sonshine
15) Beacons
16) Lightbearers
17) Holy
18) Completion
19) Practitioners
20) Needy
21) Life
22) Justice
23) Remembrance
24) Mercy
25) Ameliorate
26) Retribution
27) Command
28) Admission
29) Extraction
30) Pruning
31) Law
32) Entrapment
33) Truth
34) Entwined
35) Entrenched
36) Misguided
37) Precise
38) Revenge
39) Elevated
40) Assured
41) Victor
42) Abundance
43) Halfhearted
44) Wholehearted
45) Prerogative
46) Pharisee
47) Ambassador
48) Wholeness

What starts with a correct perception, ends in wholeness, of the individual and the Body.

"Resistance is futile...step into the Light."

"Lord, I want that easy burden; I want that light yolk, help me to give up the striving and enter into your rest."

There is comfort in the rest of God. There is peace in the rest of God.

Imagine the tremendous conflicts in the mind of Matthew when Jesus steps up to him and says, "Follow Me."?

Now imagine the rest of finding "The One" and knowing that despite all the confusion of the past, all IS WELL, and that he has become a part of something whole, worthwhile and good. Priceless.
God bless you Matthew for your giant leap of faith!

Enjoyed all the great posts today!

Izumi- What you thought was foliage was actually Jesus' hair! Back then, being a Nazarene, He would not cut his hair and at this age He had quite the 'Fro! Talk about taking umbrage in the shadow of the Most High!! Really!

Y'all be blessed!!

Larry

word ver ABLIT ??

Anonymous said...

Thanksgiving Day is the day to express gratitude towards each person who is connected with our lives.

The Bible says that each day we should be thankful to feel the love of God.

Psalm 100 has been used in many songs to give thanks to God.

Serve the Lord with gladness:
come before His presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord He is God:
It is He that hat made us, and not we ourselves;
we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise;
be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endures to all generations. ~Psalm 100


Psalm 107 is another passage of Scripture replete with thanksgiving and praise. Portions of it are shared here.


Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His love endures forever. ~Psalm 107:1


Let us give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men,
for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. ~Psalm 107:8-9

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High” Psalm 92:1
In this Thanksgiving Bible verse, thanksgiving is believe to be a good thing and this habit of thanking and praising Lord should be inculcated.

Thanksgiving does not only bring us closer to the people but also to God.

Bishop, Pastor Debye & Family
Have a Blessed and a Happy Thanksgiving Day!

With love Fritz and Kettly

Erik said...

OK ,

The Beatitudes really are the basic characteristics of life, what we build our experience in life with. They are the connectors that engage the segments of our experience. These characteristics, peacemaking, pure in Love, mercy, strength with control, relishing opportunity, comfort ; hunger, thirst and the resulting satisfaction ; clear vision, -- These are what we use to connect the integral people and pieces of our lives, These are the basic bots, the building blocks for our lives, All of this sermon is, the recalculating of our routes, at the cornerstone, so of course this paradigm has long been changed. It is similar to , of course we have the right to vote, of course we take in oxygen, of course we absorb nutrients, of course we love – These have been sculpted into our foundation.

With all of these, it is how We Live, built into our foundation. What is exciting, is what we can use these building blocks to make, how high can we build on this,-- all the way to heaven !

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the new light on v13 JB,

You have added yet another dimension to the Goodness of God. And I might add the Goodness in us that may be hard to recognize "on the surface" (a little play on words there) I suppose this goodness that is hidden in all things is a reflection of the God-ness in all things. For, from Him, and through Him and To Him are all things.

Thanks Bishop Jim,
I am honored.

Peace,
Dennis

Anonymous said...

I do love the reading and various commentary on the Beatitudes. Larry's one word version was pretty cool too. The depth of goodness that has come forth here in MITN will unlock many doors for people who have locked themselves out of the knowledge of life. Erik's comment on the Beatitudes representing life itself is also a very good point.

Bishop, I thought there would be more blogging about this subject also. There is so much to talk about here that the discussion could literally go for days here.

On a humorous note but also a thought provoking one. My Dad once told me, Johnny be careful about that meek shall inherit the earth thing son cause if you overdo the meek thing you will probably find yourself resting under your inheritance. He laughed as he said it and so did I.

The seed he sowed did make me think about the difference between meekness and weekness though.

I love the wording in MITN that says their restraint, humility and self control is what does the job of winning the day. I can picture a mighty nation with the ability to easily wipe others off the face of the earth restraining itself from doing so in the face of humiliation and gaining the approval of those who love peace by the adding of themselves to the mission of good will accomplished by such control.

Our beautiful world given to us by the Creator of all good things is increasing in beauty because of the choices made by its caretakers. No matter what pessimistic report comes up about some isolated cases of mishandling there is far greater progress being made to overcome those errors and improving the earth we have been given.

I am thankful for that.

JB

Anonymous said...

It coulda been King Jesus' crown of earth, Larry. (see? There's a sceptre, too.)

Enjoyed every post.

Happy Thanksgiving, all!

Unknown said...

MITN IV is closed, but I keep looking at Jesus saying in v.4 & 10 "it has been written" and the adversary and Jesus in v.6/7 saying "it is written".

As I've contemplated this, I like it. New things are and will be written (not the least of which was the N.T. still to come after the time these words would be spoken).

Also, being shut down at his first attempt to distract, the adversary ignores Jesus' indication of "new things have come" and switches to the "now" tense which Jesus also does. Deep stuff, saying now is past,present,future all at once. And yet he goes back to "it has been written"--and His repetition of the thought that new things have come. Pretty cool. (Been chewing on this food for thought quite a bit, Bishop, but I missed that "food" connection until Izumi brought it up!)

Donald, what about this on your Nov. 24th question? The adversary recommended that Jesus "say" to these stones [which is a whole nuther thought thread] but Jesus later tells us He only said things that He heard the Father say. In this first distraction He knew the Father had not said it. Just a thought.

word ver: beabr
"beatitudes bro"...I'm getting there.

First look at MITN V reminds me of how often I've pondered the legion of translation differences (or simple repetition) of the thoughts and felt unsatisfied--or worse, totally unregenerated. MITN V is like a good meal--nutritious, filling, full of digestible definitions that speak life to the body, mind and soul!

More later. Got an appointment.
ahhhh. Most cool 2ndver: rested

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Beautiful, Avatar...thanks!

Anonymous said...

Avatar - Can't believe you wrote chapter IV of MITN is closed. (HERE, of all places! Key. Key. Got a key?!)

There's so many good points, I didn't know which to address. Bish, if you're reading this (heh heh) that's why I never got to the Beatitudes. (nevertheless, I press on)

Wonder if I can try this again - s'plain what I discovered the bazillionth reading.

* The Holy Spirit PURPOSELY led Jesus into solitude - a real place where Jesus could be tempted. (not Sodom, Gomorrah, Vegas, or Amsterdam) but a wilderness in His soul.

* The accusations before the challenges - interesting. It started as a seed thought: Do You really believe you're the son of the Creator?

Then... do this: "Bread of Life - prove that You can reproduce Yourself! Aha! A dig @ the Father; a reference to the beginning? Like, Gen. 1:11, 12, maybe?

I've chewed on verse 5 awhile, too, wondering about its significance. Closest I can reason, is that satan tempted Jesus with only one holy city, when the Word says the EARTH and ALL its fullness is the Lord's.

Plus, He already knew He was the highest priest, the perfect tabernacle, The One not constructed with earthly hands.

Satan's mock concern (that's how I saw it, anyway) in verse 6 cracked me up. "Look - the angels will catch ya, you won't even stub your toe!" Another ruse to trip Jesus. (the Prince of Peace and The Rock)

Verse 8 - satan offered Jesus what He already paid for! (pre world)

21 - I never saw this until JUST RIGHT NOW. James and John were in the boat with their father (!!!), mending their nets and preparing them. (the old way; tradition!)

And then, the paradigm shift arrived. Wow! (Luke 1:17, perhaps?)

Ditto this for me: "First look at MITN V reminds me of how often I've pondered the legion of translation differences (or simple repetition) of the thoughts and felt unsatisfied--or worse, totally unregenerated. MITN V is like a good meal--nutritious, filling, full of digestible definitions that speak life to the body, mind and soul!"

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Great points, Izumi...thanks!