It is harder to be “poor in spirit” than we think! When Jesus told us in Matthew 5:3 that “Blessed are the poor in spirit for they shall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.” We thought:  “I can do that!”  The truth is – it is not near as easy as we might think, because just when you think you have a grasp on humility, your grasp messes you up!

We have a problem! We are strong willed, proud and full of attitude.  We like to think that we can will our way through any situation or circumstance.  The problem with willing our way through, is that we are depending on our own strength.  Our pride gets in the way every time that we make a little progress, because we believe that we deserve a pat on the back.  And if we do deserve a pat on the back, then it is once again, because we accomplished something in and of ourselves.  We are full of attitude, because we look around this world and see a lot of people getting it wrong and we know that at least we are getting some of it right, but if we are getting life right, then it is not us, it is Him in and through us.

We become self righteous and confident in and of ourselves and this is the big challenge. We must get self out of the way – if we are to experience the supernatural hand of God upon our lives.  We convince ourselves that we are happy and that we feel good about the life that we are living, but deep down – we know that something is missing.  That something that is missing is dependence upon and faith in God our Creator and Sustainer!

Realize and really believe that you are nothing without Him and everything and more than you can dream or imagine with Him!

We have began our journey through the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:1-12. In verse three we read the first and foundational attitude:  “Blessed are the poor in Spirit for they shall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.” We know that “Blessed” = Happy!  So what does it mean to be “poor in spirit?”

To be poor in spirit is to shrink, cower and cringe as a totally destitute beggar, who is completely dependent upon others, because he/she has no ability to support themselves. The best way to picture “poor in spirit” is to see a beggar with one hand reaching out in desperate need and one hand covering up in embarrassed shame!  When Jesus says “Blessed are the poor in spirit – He is talking about spiritual poverty.  We need to realize, believe and live like we are nothing without Jesus, because the truth is:  We are nothing without Jesus!

To be “poor in spirit” is to be humble. It is a humble realization that we are helpless to do anything to really help ourselves and so we do the only thing that we can do and that is – we put our whole trust in God.  I am spiritually bankrupt!  I deserve nothing!  I have only one option – To turn and trust God and His grace and mercy!

We need to see ourselves as we really are! We are lost, hopeless and helpless without Jesus.  It does not matter what level of education you have obtained, how much money you have saved up, what status you live at and in, what accomplishments that you can brag on or what religion you claim to believe and to belong!  We all need to recognize our spiritual destitution and realize our complete dependance upon Jesus Christ as our Savior.  We cannot save ourselves, but we can be saved!

How are you doing? Really – how are you doing?  How are you physically, mentally, emotionally, financially and spiritually?  It is amazing to think that with a few small changes in our lives – God can and will do big things in and through our lives.  The area that we really need to be concerned with is the spiritual!

Life can and should be different! And it will be different, if we will take the time to grow our spiritual lives.  In Matthew 5:1-12 we discover eight attitudes that Jesus teaches that will change our lives.  These “Beatitudes” bring the blessing of happiness and the promise of reward.  As we read and attempt to live with these attitudes in our daily living – our goal is to actually experience life change!

To experience life change – we must listen, obey and grow! You can’t grow if you don’t obey and you can’t obey if you don’t listen.  So it starts with Listening – what is the Holy Spirit saying to you?  Now the question is:  What are you going to do about it?  Do what the Holy Spirit says and you are on your way to living in obedience and the natural by product is growth.

Take some time to read through Matthew 5:1-12 and focus in on verse three today! “Blessed are the poor in spirit for they will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven!”  We have something to learn and Jesus has something to teach!  What does He want to teach you about being poor in spirit???