Jitterbugging for Jesus

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5: 1-12

KEY VERSE: (3) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
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To be “poor in spirit” is to be humble.

To be poor in spirit is not to have an “inferiority complex”; it’s not having a “superiority complex.”

To be poor in spirit is to keep up with Christ, not with “the Joneses.”

To be poor in spirit is to put God ahead of anything else: money, possessions, adulation–anything.

To be poor in spirit is to be God-centered, other-centered, not self-centered.

To be poor in spirit is to be self-aware and therefore repentant, mindful of one’s own flaws, faults, sins.

To be poor in spirit is to understand that it is from God that “all blessings flow.”

To be poor in spirit is to truly know grace–the unmerited, undeserved, unconditional love God gives.

To be poor of spirit is to be “empty” in the best sense, as in empty of pride, boastfulness, self-righteousness.

To be poor in spirit is to be always open, with an open heart, open smile, open arms, open hands.

To be poor in spirit is to live in the peace of hope, not fear, worry, anxiety.

To be poor in spirit is to be pro-God, which is pro-Love.

To be poor in spirit is to be truly free, liberated from every kind of bondage, even if incarcerated.

To be poor in spirit is to be rich.

Mark 10: 13-16: “People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.”