Earlier, in my adolescent years, I began to seriously study and embrace Christianity norms. Strangely, while doing so, a soft sweet reverberating voice infiltrated my spirit. At first, I dismissed its message. Why? Because my own personal thoughts agreed with the Messenger.

You see, I recognized the inner voice as being that of the Holy Spirit’s. And no doubt, I did not fully understand much of what I was reading in the Old Testament. However, now later in life, I have a deeper love, respect and understanding of whom my Savior is. For over the ensuing decades of service, my spirit has been fortified, revived and glorified. All praises be unto God for allowing me to grow in biblical grace. This feat was made possible with the international missionary trips I had been privileged to embarked upon.

Below are highlights of how the Holy Spirit has brought me closer to Matthew 5:1-14 “The Sermon On The Mount”. And why He provided me with my epithet.

Most biblical saints when teaching the Beatitudes, translate the ensuing eleven (‘Blessed‘ phrases) messages as an indictment against the awaiting crowd. But those in attendance are mostly Orthodox Jews! They do not know Jesus Christ nor His characteristics and Who He is.

At this moment, Jesus is teaching the Sermon on the Mount to nonbelievers. The instructions within the Beatitudes however, are for the apostles and others who will be spreading the message of the Good News. For if their hearts and attitudes are not right, their message concerning the blessings which are in store for them are not available.(*) And will not be understood.

The crowd’s attitude is that this Man’s (Jesus’) message is not for them. They already have Moses’ message (the Ten Commandments). And they are familiar with which sacrifices to bring to God’s alter during certain times of the year to expel their sins. Thus, at that time with a new slate for another year.

So remember this message…

If your desire is to be a follower and a disciple of Jesus Christ, pray that in all thy getting, you receive a complete understand of the Beatitudes and govern yourselves forthwith. Your reward is recorded in Matthew 5:13-14:

“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(*).

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

My pray unto the Holy Father is this:

Thank you Holy Spirit for nurturing me through life’s struggles. How wonderful it is that You speak to me personally through Your Word, and that I can respond to You through the Word. Continue to teach me to spend time with You in this way and to hear Your voice speaking to me personally.

Thank you Lord Jesus, sincerely, for my epithet which is already engraved on my tombstone: “In All Thy Getting, Get An Understanding!” Amen and Amen

(*) NOTE 1: Non believers who to this day, reject the Holy One who is the Son of God.

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Jesus began calling his first disciples out of the saltshaker and into the world.  And guess where the saltshakers had found refuge?  In the synagogues!  Yes, hiding in plain sight. What you may not realize is that John the Baptist was actually the first preacher of the gospel. John’s message was one of repentance. The Holy Spirit had already informed him that the kingdom of heaven has come near. John preached that the Pharisees’ and Sadducees’ had already been warned by the prophet Isaiah.

This situation came about after Jesus had been reluctantly baptized in the Jordan River by His cousin, John the Baptist.  After this took place, two additional events happened.  First, God opened heaven and Jesus saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.  Then, a voice from heaven was heard: “This is my Son, Whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Those two events were confirmation and proof positive that Jesus Christ was the Messiah…just as John the Baptist had proclaimed.

Nevertheless, Peter’s denial of ever knowing Jesus and his braggadocio expressions of false endearment toward Christ was a let down. Also, Peter did not stay awake while Jesus prayed to his Father. Seemingly, towards the end of Jesus’s life on earth, Peter tried to avoid being publicly identified as a Christian. (That situation can be associated with many followers today.)

Perhaps the Lord knew from the get-go, that his life’s road would be hard to climb. Thus, he allowed the Holy Spirit to lead him into the wilderness, and there he went on a forty day and night fast.  Jesus was also tempted by the Devil during this time.

Jesus overcame the wilds of the Devil and was successful in causing Ole Slew-foot to flee.  Next, angels came and attended to Jesus. However, the Pharisees’ disdain for Jesus was never appeased. Jesus’ teaching on: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you,” never took hold in the Pharisees’ heart.

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!