Romans

So we have been going through Romans in our Sunday school class as well as in our church services. I have really learned a lot and am so glad I have the opportunity to study and teach the book. It is so rich and deep and our discussions have really grown me in my walk with God, as well as my appreciation for His Sovereignty. This week we learned from Romans 5 that God justifies us and then does not leave us hanging. The Spirit is there to guide us through, to make us holy, and then one day glorify us in heaven. I am so glad that He is still working on me, to make me what I need to be.

Sermon on the Mount

So I was really excited yesterday to have an English Bible study here in Brazil for Sunday school. There is a couple from Texas working for John Deere, a couple from New Zealand working as an international school teacher, and a couple other Americans. Jon, an ABWE missionary, led the Bible study and is doing a series on Matthew 5-7. He gave us a printout that had a chart on it. The Beatitudes each had some characteristics to it and if you go down the list, it could be compared to leading someone to salvation. I had never seen that before. Poor in spirit represents moral failure explaining that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. Then mourning represents repentance showing that we are understand our guilt and then desire to turn from sin. Gentleness or meekness shows humility and an attitude of willingness to learn God's principles in life.
After salvation, we will hunger and thirst for righteousness and a relentless pursuit of God's righteous standards (even though we can never meet them). The rest are godly characteristics like mercy, love, others motivated, peacemaker or reconciler, and then mentions those who will be persecuted.
I had never seen the Beatitudes in that way before and it was really neat for me.