Genesis 1:20-28. [Series on: The Blessed] Usually, when you go to the zoo, there are sections of the zoo that people don’t stand too long to watch as they give an icky feeling. But then there is the section that everyone likes, like the penguin section. I like the penguin section, too! Scriptures refer to God’s creation as blessed. The passage tells the creation story. We see God’s goodness in creation, even with its variety and contrasting elements. All God made was good, yes, the icky ones, too (v24). And He blessed His creation (v22, 28). Although we live in a fallen world due to sin, we also live in a blessed world—blessed from the very beginning and sustained by the God of covenant and faithfulness (Genesis 1:22,28; Genesis 8:21-9:1). In the Psalms, David repeatedly refers to God’s blessed creation in wonder. He expresses that we are so blessed and… Undeserving of it. “What is man that yo
Matthew 5:1-12 NIV. [Series on: The Blessed] How would you describe a blessed and happy life? One of my friends believes there’s only one happy person each week, the lottery winner, and the rest of us just have make-believe happiness. Maybe you share my friend's view or have your own picture of happiness. The Bible also has its own picture, and in this short series on the Blessed we'll see who are the blessed of Scripture. In today's passage, Jesus gathers His disciples to the mountainside, away from the crowd and teaches them what a truly blessed and happy life—beatitude—looks like. Jesus shows that a blessed life is the life of a disciple, those who are: Poor in spirit (v3, Psalm 42:1; 63:1): who depend on God in everything. Mourning (v4, Isaiah 61:2-3): who seek God’s rescue/forgiveness by repentance. Meek (v5, Psalm 37:9-11): who humbly wait for the Lord amidst life’s