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February 3, 2019

“God’s Upside Down World”

Matthew 5:6-7

 

This week, Pastor David continued the “Sermon On The Mount” series. Re-read those verses as you consider these questions.

 

  • According to our world, what is the source of true/lasting satisfaction? How does that differ from what God says about the source of lasting satisfaction?
  • Describe a situation from your life where you have relied more on your own strength/abilities than the Lord’s. How did your actions in that time show what you craved? Was it a craving that could be satisfied by the world or by God alone?
  • How much time, each week, do you spend on things that are, in Pastor David’s words, “not heinous but just trivial”? What do you need to start or stop this week to live in right relationship with God?
  • Think of a person and/or situation where you need to give or receive forgiveness and mercy. What is holding you back in that situation? What should your first step toward reconciliation be?

 In your time with God this week,

 

1. Thank God for satisfying your deepest needs and longings.

2. Ask God to refresh your desire for Him, His Word, and His perspective.

3. Commit to pray for 30 days for someone you feel “doesn’t deserve your mercy”.

 

ADDITIONAL DISCOVERY:

 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”  - Matthew 5:6-7

 

"I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see it's not the answer." - Jim Carrey

 

RIGHTEOUSNESS - "a right standing before God and right living for God"

 

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:10

 

"For judgement is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgement." James 2:13

 

"...and forgive us debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." - Matthew 6:12-15

 

"Not forgiving is like drinking rat poison and then waiting for the rat to die." -Anne Lamott, Traveling Mercies