Comments on: Vantage Points http://rickgrover.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/vantage-points/ personal reflections on our journey at owensboro Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:53:50 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Lori Cecil http://rickgrover.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/vantage-points/#comment-158 Lori Cecil Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:22:52 +0000 http://rickgrover.wordpress.com/?p=192#comment-158 Thought you might like this quote if you haven't already heard it. "I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again." --Jerry Lewis Thought you might like this quote if you haven’t already heard it. “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.” –Jerry Lewis

]]> By: Jason Aldridge http://rickgrover.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/vantage-points/#comment-147 Jason Aldridge Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:45:37 +0000 http://rickgrover.wordpress.com/?p=192#comment-147 Rick- very well put. We ALL need to have that understanding of "poor in spirit." Even as the world knocks at our door and the enemy stands on the other side waiting for us to invite him in, we have to remember the "humble pie" on the table set before us and know that He is a healer and restorer and that the enemy is nothing but a destroyer! I strive everyday to get the "vantage point" of Jesus and know that it's the only way to have peace in my heart and servitude as my mantra. I have thouroughly enjoyed your presence at OCC and look forward to a long tenure of God's word through you. Bless you friend. Rick- very well put. We ALL need to have that understanding of “poor in spirit.” Even as the world knocks at our door and the enemy stands on the other side waiting for us to invite him in, we have to remember the “humble pie” on the table set before us and know that He is a healer and restorer and that the enemy is nothing but a destroyer! I strive everyday to get the “vantage point” of Jesus and know that it’s the only way to have peace in my heart and servitude as my mantra. I have thouroughly enjoyed your presence at OCC and look forward to a long tenure of God’s word through you. Bless you friend.

]]> By: Marla http://rickgrover.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/vantage-points/#comment-143 Marla Sat, 28 Feb 2009 02:17:44 +0000 http://rickgrover.wordpress.com/?p=192#comment-143 I would also add that as Jesus so often did, He was quite directly addressing the religious leaders of the day. They relied on their religion to save them, on their own piety and goodness. They certainly felt good about themselves and their standing with God and the world. Jesus is telling them that we can never be good enough on our own, and that we are to completely empty ourselves of pride, self-righteousness, and religion. We do no receive the gifts of God based on our merit. We are really all poor in spirit because we are utterly depraved, apart from God, but we have to recognize that and then allow our spirits to be reigned by Christ. Wherever He reigns, therein lies His kingdom. When we're poor in spirit and we're reigned by Him, we are living in an earthly kingdom of heaven. I would also add that as Jesus so often did, He was quite directly addressing the religious leaders of the day. They relied on their religion to save them, on their own piety and goodness. They certainly felt good about themselves and their standing with God and the world. Jesus is telling them that we can never be good enough on our own, and that we are to completely empty ourselves of pride, self-righteousness, and religion. We do no receive the gifts of God based on our merit. We are really all poor in spirit because we are utterly depraved, apart from God, but we have to recognize that and then allow our spirits to be reigned by Christ. Wherever He reigns, therein lies His kingdom. When we’re poor in spirit and we’re reigned by Him, we are living in an earthly kingdom of heaven.

]]> By: Cindy Lyons http://rickgrover.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/vantage-points/#comment-142 Cindy Lyons Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:13:05 +0000 http://rickgrover.wordpress.com/?p=192#comment-142 Yes, that helps. Thank you. Yes, that helps. Thank you.

]]> By: rickgrover http://rickgrover.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/vantage-points/#comment-141 rickgrover Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:34:37 +0000 http://rickgrover.wordpress.com/?p=192#comment-141 My understanding is that "poor in spirit" is not in reference to material poverty which is indicated in Luke 6:20. The phrase describes those who humbly trust God even if there is a lack of resources which contrasts the "wicked" who set themselves up against God through arrogance and place their dependence on their resources. To be poor in spirit means we possess a humble and "unworldly" attitude and trust only in God. We are "empty before God" (Karl Barth), and that poverty or emptiness becomes a mark of discipleship. The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. I hope this helps! Rick My understanding is that “poor in spirit” is not in reference to material poverty which is indicated in Luke 6:20. The phrase describes those who humbly trust God even if there is a lack of resources which contrasts the “wicked” who set themselves up against God through arrogance and place their dependence on their resources. To be poor in spirit means we possess a humble and “unworldly” attitude and trust only in God. We are “empty before God” (Karl Barth), and that poverty or emptiness becomes a mark of discipleship. The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

I hope this helps!

Rick

]]> By: Cindy Lyons http://rickgrover.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/vantage-points/#comment-140 Cindy Lyons Sun, 22 Feb 2009 06:06:50 +0000 http://rickgrover.wordpress.com/?p=192#comment-140 I've never understood the meaning of "poor in spirit" and if you explained it last weekend I missed it. Can you please define that for me? Thanks. I’ve never understood the meaning of “poor in spirit” and if you explained it last weekend I missed it. Can you please define that for me? Thanks.

]]> By: rickgrover http://rickgrover.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/vantage-points/#comment-138 rickgrover Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:51:07 +0000 http://rickgrover.wordpress.com/?p=192#comment-138 Thanks, Stephanie!! Have a great week! Thanks, Stephanie!! Have a great week!

]]> By: Stephanie Pearre http://rickgrover.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/vantage-points/#comment-137 Stephanie Pearre Fri, 13 Feb 2009 03:06:16 +0000 http://rickgrover.wordpress.com/?p=192#comment-137 I have always wanted to seriously study the Sermon on the Mount!! Thank you. I can't wait for Church!! See you Saturday evening. I don't go to the "Boiler Room," but I do often pray that the power of God speaks to us through you as you preach. Thank you for your service to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and our Father in Heaven. I have always wanted to seriously study the Sermon on the Mount!! Thank you. I can’t wait for Church!! See you Saturday evening. I don’t go to the “Boiler Room,” but I do often pray that the power of God speaks to us through you as you preach. Thank you for your service to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and our Father in Heaven.

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