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Bloom Church -You Matters- Our desire is for you to bloom into the person God created you to be.
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Now displaying: April, 2019
Apr 16, 2019

PAR·A·DOX: A SEEMINGLY ABSURD OR SELF-CONTRADICTORY STATEMENT OR PROPOSITION THAT WHEN INVESTIGATED OR EXPLAINED MAY PROVE TO BE WELL FOUNDED OR TRUE.

 

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33

 

 

THE PARADOX OF JESUS’ BEATITUDES Blessed are the peacemakers... Matthew 5:9 NIV

WHAT WE TEND TO BELIEVE: Blessed are those that are protestors; those that fire up their base!

 

 

PUBLIC CRITICISMS NEVER CHANGE ANYONE.  HOWEVER, PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS IN LOVE DO.

 

 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9 NIV

 

 

ALL 3 VERSES ON ONE SLIDE

And the God of peace will swiftly pound Satan to a pulp under your feet! Romans 16:20 TPT

Now, may the God of peace and harmony set you apart, making you completely holy. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 TPT

Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus… Hebrews 13:20

 

And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6

 

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Romans 8:14

 

You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:43-45

 

AS GOD’S CHILDREN WE ARE CALLED TO STRIVE FOR PEACE AS WE…

 

LOVE OUR ENEMIES

But I say, love your enemies! Matthew 5:44

 

PRAY FOR THEM

Pray for those who persecute you! Matthew 5:44

 

REJECT SELECTIVE PEACE

If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. Matthew 5:47

 

STRIVE TO BE THE BIGGER PERSON

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

 

THE PARADOX OF JESUS’ BEATITUDES Blessed are those who are persecuted because righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 NIV

 

Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies. 1 Corinthians 15:43-44

 

 

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12 NIV

 

 

If you were to give your allegiance to the world, they would love and welcome you as one of their own. But because you won’t align yourself with the values of this world, they will hate you. I have chosen you and taken you out of the world to be mine. John 15:19 TPT

 

 

“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! Revelation 3:15-16

 

 

Be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. James 1:6-8

 

 

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?  Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:24

 

TAKE HOME

 

➡  DAILY INVITE GOD TO BE THE LORD OF YOUR ENTIRE LIFE.

 

I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 12:1

Apr 10, 2019

PAR·A·DOX: A SEEMINGLY ABSURD OR SELF-CONTRADICTORY STATEMENT OR PROPOSITION THAT WHEN INVESTIGATED OR EXPLAINED MAY PROVE TO BE WELL FOUNDED OR TRUE.

 

 

THE PARADOX OF JESUS’ BEATITUDES: Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7 NIV

 

WHAT WE TEND TO BELIEVE: Blessed are those that are forgiven, for they will be shown mercy.

 

'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' Acts 20:35

 

THE OPPOSITE OF MERCIFUL IS SELF-PRESERVATION AT THE COST OF OTHERS.

 

Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13

 

One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 9:25-29

 

Then a despised Samaritan came along… Luke 10:33

 

4 STEPS OF MERCY:

 

1. WE MUST SEE THE DISTRESS.

…Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man... Luke 10:33

 

2. RESPOND WITH COMPASSION.

…he felt compassion for him. Luke 10:33

 

3. COMPASSION LEADS TO ACTION.

…Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. Luke 10:34

 

4. MERCY IS GIVEN DESPITE DIFFERENCES.

The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ Luke 10:35

 

“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” Luke 10:36-37

 

Mercy (Greek word Eleos) is kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to relieve them.

 

THE PARADOX OF JESUS’ BEATITUDES: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.  Matthew 5:8 NIV

 

WHAT WE TEND TO BELIEVE: Blessed are God’s favorites, for they will see God.  

 

Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. 1 John 4:11-13

 

 

WHEN DISCIPLES PURSUE THE PRESENCE OF GOD, AND THEN START POURING OUT THE THINGS OF GOD INTO OTHERS INSTEAD OF HOARDING IT FOR THEMSELVES, A REVIVAL IS THE RESULT!

 

HOW CAN WE LOVE GOD WITH ALL OUR HEARTS?

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. Ezekiel 36:26-27

 

 INVITE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO SHOW YOU.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalms 139:23-24

 

 INVITE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO CHANGE YOU.

 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Psalms 51:10

 

 INVITE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO FILL YOU.

 

 

TAKE HOME

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23

 

WHAT WE CONSUME WILL EVENTUALLY CONSUME US.

 

Apr 3, 2019

PAR·A·DOX: A SEEMINGLY ABSURD OR SELF-CONTRADICTORY STATEMENT OR PROPOSITION THAT WHEN INVESTIGATED OR EXPLAINED MAY PROVE TO BE WELL FOUNDED OR TRUE.

 

 

Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes. Romans 12:2 TPT

 

 

THE PARADOX OF JESUS’ BEATITUDES: 

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 NIV

 

THE WORLD’S CREED IS MORE LIKE: Blessed are the unconquerable, for they will inherit the earth.

 

 

➡  MEEKNESS IS SIMPLY POWER UNDER CONTROL

 

 

But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. Psalms 37:11 NIV

 

 

  • HUMAN NATURE SAYS: I AM IN CHARGE, BUT THE PARADOX OF THE DISCIPLE SAYS: GOD IS IN CHARGE

 

Give God the right to direct your life, and as you trust him along the way you’ll find he pulled it off perfectly! Psalms 37:5 TPT

 

  • HUMAN NATURE IS TO BE ANXIOUS UNTIL THERE IS A SOLUTION, BUT THE PARADOX OF THE DISCIPLE IS TO HAVE PEACE KNOWING THE SOLUTION WILL COME

 

Quiet your heart in his presence and pray; keep hope alive as you long for God to come through for you. And don’t think for a moment that the wicked in their prosperity are better off than you Psalms 37:7 TPT

 

  • HUMAN NATURE IS TO SEEK JUSTICE, BUT THE PARADOX OF THE DISCIPLE IS TO SEEK GRACE.

 

Stay away from anger and revenge. Keep envy far from you, for it only leads you into lies. Psalms 37:8

 

 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

 

 

THE PARADOX OF JESUS’ BEATITUDES: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 NIV

 

THE WORLD’S CREED IS MORE LIKE: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for success, for they will be filled.

 

He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

 

 

➡  THE QUESTION EVERY DISCIPLE MUST ANSWER IS: WHERE DOES MY SATISFACTION COME FROM?

Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels. And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. Matthew 23:5-6

 

If you love me, obey my commandments. John 14:15

 

O God of my life, I’m lovesick for you in this weary wilderness. I thirst with the deepest longings to love you more, with cravings in my heart that can’t be described. Such yearning grips my soul for you, my God! I’m energized every time I enter your heavenly sanctuary to seek more of your power and drink in more of your glory. For your tender mercies mean more to me than life itself. How I love and praise you, God! Daily I will worship you passionately and with all my heart. My arms will wave to you like banners of praise. I overflow with praise when I come before you, for the anointing of your presence satisfies me like nothing else. You are such a rich banquet of pleasure to my soul. Psalms 63:1-5 TPT

 

TAKE HOME

 

➡  I WILL SURRENDER NOT OUT OF DUTY OR OBLIGATION, BUT OUT OF DELIGHT AND OPPORTUNITY!  SO WHERE DO I NEED TO SURRENDER?

 

 

 

 

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