1. Theme 2014: Experiencing God, Embracing People! Matthew 5:1-12

3. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” [NIV]

4. in the Bible is the Greek word “ makarios ” The word

5. “ 1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them ….” [NIV]

6. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” [NIV]

7. The New Living Translation …. “God blesses those who realize their need for him...”

8. The God’s Word Translation …. God blesses those “who recognize they are spiritually helpless...”

9. The Common English Version…. God blesses those “who depend only on Him.”

10. The New Century Version…. God blesses those “who know they have great spiritual needs.”

11. To be which is the first condition for God ’ s blessing on your life means “I humbly depend on God instead of myself.”

13. Proverbs 14:12…. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” [NIV] “There is a way that seems right, but it ends in a dead end.”

14. Proverbs 3:5-7…. “ 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not lean not on your own understanding; [In other words don’t depend on your wisdom. Don’t depend on what you think is the right thing to do. Don’t depend on your hunches, your feelings. depend on your own understanding.]

15. 6 In all your ways, [everything you do – how you spend your time, your money, relationships. Everything.] Acknowledge him [seek His will], and he [God promises] will make [direct] your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; [What he’s saying there is don’t go around saying …

16. …. “I’ve got this all figured out. I can handle this. I’m a big girl. I’m a big guy. I know what I’m doing. I’ve got it all figured out. I’ve got a plan. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.] Fear the LORD and shun evil [Instead, respect the Lord and turn your back on evil].” [NIV]

18. James 1:5…. “If any of you lack wisdom, you should pray and ask God, who gives it.…” [NIV]

21. Your strength is limited. God’s strength is unlimited. Your strength is finite. God’s strength is infinite.

22. Psalm 84:5…. “Happy are those whose strength comes from you …” [NCV]

23. Isaiah 40:31…. “But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired.” [NCV]

24. Psalm 71:16…. “I walk in the strength of the Lord …”

25. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10…. “ 8 Three times I begged God to take away my weakness. [And you’ve got some weakness you’d like God to take away and you’ve probably asked him to.]

26. 9 Each time God said, ‘My grace is all you need! My power works best in your weakness.’ [You don’t need anything else. You just need me. My power works best in your weakness.]

27. 10 So, [Paul says,] I now gladly boast. I boast about how weak I am. [I used to hide my weaknesses. I used to be ashamed of my weakness. Paul says not any more. I’m proud of my weaknesses. Why?]

28. …. Because when I’m weakest the power of Christ works in me and shows up through me. When I am weak, then I am strong.”