Tag Archives: discipleship

Merciful

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Don Merritt

Mercy  is the most fundamental aspect of our relationship with God. We only have a relationship with God because of His tremendous mercy, for without it, we are permanently estranged from Him. Thus, Jesus teaches mercy on our parts as … Continue reading →

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For They Will Be Filled

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Don Merritt

I doubt that I need to discuss what it means to “hunger and thirst for righteousness” so let’s jump directly to what will become of the one who has no such desire. I think we can safely assume that the … Continue reading →

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For They Will Inherit the Earth

Posted on September 18, 2017 by Don Merritt

A person who is “meek” is often thought of as being resigned to their circumstances, even weak, but that really isn’t what is being described here. Those who are “meek” are those who understand that they are dependent upon God, … Continue reading →

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Those Who Mourn

Posted on September 18, 2017 by Don Merritt

Most of the time, we don’t associate blessing with mourning; maybe we should rethink this… Matthew didn’t actually say what those blessed ones are mourning; it could be the loss of a loved one, it could be the loss of … Continue reading →

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Poor in Spirit

Posted on September 17, 2017 by Don Merritt

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 The first Beatitude speaks of those who are “poor in spirit”. Much has been made about the difference between Matthew’s language and that of Luke … Continue reading →

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The Beatitudes: An Introduction

Posted on September 16, 2017 by Don Merritt

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,  and he began to teach them. Matthew 5:1-2 The Sermon on the Mount begins with nine “Beatitudes” in which Jesus describes … Continue reading →

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Kingdom, Teaching, Healing

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Don Merritt

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe … Continue reading →

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Calling Disciples

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Don Merritt

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish … Continue reading →

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Jesus Heads to Galilee

Posted on September 14, 2017 by Don Merritt

When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: “Land … Continue reading →

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Jesus in the Wilderness

Posted on September 14, 2017 by Don Merritt

Matthew 4:1-11 After His baptism by John, Jesus heads out to the Wilderness (desert) to be tempted by Satan. In this narrative, we see once again Matthew’s fondness for connecting his story about Jesus with the history of Israel, in … Continue reading →

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