"Lord Only You Can Change Me" study!!

Okay, Ladies..it's time to begin sharing what we are learning in our study --"Lord Only You Can Change Me" by Kay Arthur.
A note here--We are starting where the disciples began on their own journey with Jesus. Later they witnessed miracles and their lives were forever changed! What they learned, they shared with others. This time,  in our lives,  has been set aside for us to walk intimately with our savior! And we will look back at it as the time that we were taught by God!
Open your hearts and Bible to Him.

The Beatitudes

5 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
    For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
    For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
    For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Believers Are Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to allwho are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

The following are some of my observations.

Matthew 5 --Our Saviors Sermon, vs 1-12
The Beatitudes are a source of spiritual and moral instructions for believers.
1. PROMISES
Outlined by Jesus, these promises are given to us. If you are this--then this will be this.
(example-if you mourn, you will be comforted.)
I think of these as "states of being".
A) Poor in Spirit-pour your ego out so you can enter into God.
B) If you mourn- you will be comforted.
C) Meek-Inherits the earth; Old Testament covenants came with land increases. Seeds will flourish.
D) Hunger/Thirst for Righteousness-then you will not lack anything good.
E) Merciful-mercy spawns mercy.
F) Pure in heart- see God & His workings clearly.
G) Peacemakers- an identifying mark and state of believers.
H) Persecution vs. Righteousness- persistent annoyance, discrimination, oppression, hostility pursues righteousness, but be happy in the right choice knowing  heaven and its power is a call away!
The prophets showed great displays of power and miracles, and had authority! Great was their reward and great is the promise of our reward!

2. PURPOSE of  Christians, v13
We are to be Salt of the earth.
Sodium chloride is a stable, simple compound. It won't lose it's saltiness even if stored for years. It may appear to lose its flavor if it's dissolved into something and re-crystallizes and takes on the attributes of something else. Salty flavor is detected by our taste buds. Some people may not have a taste for Christ.  And some taste buds change over time and it no longer tastes the same. Some people may fall away and that is not on us.
A) Salt purifies.
B) Salt cleanses.
C) Salt heals. That is our purpose.
Side note: Ancients needed salt, it was part of Romans "sal"aries. They were given a ration with wages because of it's practical importance. "Not worth their salt" is an expression from that era.
If we are to be the salt as Jesus said, we cannot lose our inherent properties unless we get dissolved into something and take on the attributes of that something. Salt was found in the Dead Sea and sometimes took on impurities that left a bad taste when put on food.

3. PROCEED v14
We are to proceed in the world as the new light in the world.
A) Be the light in a dark world B) Let our faith be visible at all times C) take a stand D) glory will come to God naturally when we act this way. He divided the light from the dark in Genesis. It was in the original design -- He exposed the potential for life and so will we. And He saw that it was good.

Next post I will share --
4) PURPOSE of Christ v. 17
5) PRE-WARNING  given v.19
6) PERFECTION in lifestyle v. 21-43
 Share what you are learning! Wanna hear!
Praying for you and for me, Ash