THE HOPE CHOICE Life’s Healing Choices: The Beatitudes - Part 2

MoviesDishonesty Bad thoughts Overwork RelationshipsBad habits Stress PornographyNeed to Control Fears DebtsWorry Anger IndisciplinePerfectionism We all face issues in life:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:3

I ADMIT I need help; that I’m powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable. Bombay Baptist Church.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

What does this mean? It is not about a melancholy disposition. It is not sorrow over temporary distress. It is not sorrow in adversity. It is not sorrow because of disappointed hopes.  It does not mean :

What does this mean? I am aware that it dishonors God. I am able to see my selfishness. I recognize this as sin in my life. I recognize that I deserve punishment.  It means:

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men — robbers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' 13 "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 14 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:9-14

 I need to know who God really is. 13 "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven…”

We assume certain things about God: God is happy with my sacrifices 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

We assume certain things about God: God is happy with my sacrifices God wants me to be religious 11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men — robbers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector.

We need to remind ourselves that : In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: Isa 6:1-5 God is Holy Continued on next slide

We need to remind ourselves that : God is Holy "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." Isa 6:1-5

We need to remind ourselves that : God is Benevolent Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." Isa 6:6-7

 I need to know who I really am. 13 "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

The problem with us is that We think we are good. “The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.” Gen 6:5-6

We mourn, when we know who really God is, when we know who we really are and …

 I need to know how God can change me. The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Rom 5:16-17

“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.” - C. S. Lewis

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Phil 2:13 (NLT)