WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16
Matthew 5:1-12
Matthew 5:3

"Blessed are the poor in spirit:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

A SANCTIFIED SPIRIT (4)

A sanctified spirit will thirst for God and His Truth and will desire to know more about God and His Word like a baby desiring "the sincere milk of the word" (1 Pet 2:2). "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ" (Phil 3:8). A sanctified spirit will choose to seek God first and will find it a blessing to come near to God and to learn more about Him and His Word in personal devotion, through worship services, Bible study, prayer meetings and church camps. What about you?

When we have such a thirst and desire to know God and His Word, He will "give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints" (Eph 1:17-18). The more we know God’s love and power, the more we shall trust in Him, appreciate Him and highly value Him above all. The more we know God’s holiness and righteousness, the more we shall fear Him, humble ourselves in repentance, and cry unto Him for His purification and sanctification. Unlike the church in Laodicea who said, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Rev 3:17), we shall acknowledge our spiritual poverty and enjoy the Lord’s blessings. "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 5:3), and "to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word" (Isa 66:2). It is vital to acknowledge that we are always in great need of God’s grace, love, mercy, life, holiness, righteousness, glory, presence, and spiritual blessings. Sadly, many professing Christians and leaders today only have head knowledge of God (Titus 1:16) and do not want others to talk with them about God’s Word! What about you?

THOUGHT: I always need God’s presence, life, grace and mercy.
PRAYER: Lord, I cannot live without Thy presence, grace and life.