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Attempts at Honesty

Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
Home Archives for blessing

Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places?

Posted on March 6, 2013 Written by Mark McIntyre 6 Comments

When I read this verse, there is something that haunts me. Paul tells me that I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing. The verb is past tense, so it has already happened. Why then do I often feel so unblessed?

Filed Under: Bible Reflection Tagged With: blessing, heavenlies, heavens

Miles Stanford on Appropriating Blessing

Posted on January 17, 2013 Written by Mark McIntyre 4 Comments

Too often we try to earn God’s blessing when it has already been granted. Miles Stanford warns leaders against laying conditions for blessing on the church.

Filed Under: Quotation Tagged With: blessing, Green Letters, Stanford

The blessing of mourning – Matthew 5:4

Posted on November 18, 2011 Written by Mark McIntyre Leave a Comment

#5 in the Sermon on the Mount Series Jesus said this about mourning: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 (NIV) In the introduction to his book The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis writes: “When Mr. Ashley Sampson suggested to me the writing of this book, I asked leave […]

Filed Under: Bible Reflection Tagged With: blessed, blessing, Sin

The blessing of being poor (in spirit) – Matthew 5:3

Posted on November 6, 2011 Written by Mark McIntyre 4 Comments

Matthew 5:3 reads: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (NASB) One must assume that Jesus knew what he was doing when he put this Beatitude first in the list. Blessed are the poor in Spirit. Luke’s record shortens this saying to simply, “blessed are you who are poor” […]

Filed Under: Bible Reflection Tagged With: blessed, blessing, Heaven, kingdom, mount, resources, sermon

Introduction to the Beatitudes – Sermon on the Mount #3

Posted on November 2, 2011 Written by Mark McIntyre Leave a Comment

Before examining the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-11, it would be helpful to offer a few words on the meaning of the word translated “blessed” in our English Bibles. The word in the original is makarios, which in Homer denoted the “transcendent happiness of a life beyond care, labor and death.” (Theological Dictionary of the New […]

Filed Under: Bible Reflection Tagged With: Beatitude, blessing, mount, sermon

I have the opportunity to go to Istanbul, Turkey this summer to minister to Syrian refugees. If you would like more details about this trip, please use this link Mark McIntyre - Istanbul, Turkey Please note that this trip is fully funded, but I would appreciate your continued prayer. The trip will take place June 27 - July 6, 2025.

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Salt Pile

Salt or Dirt, Make a Choice

In Matthew 5:13, Jesus tells us that we are the “salt of the earth.” In Luke 14:34-35, the theme of salt is picked up again “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. […]

Not Yet

Living in the Not Yet

There are many places in Scripture where the phrase “how long, oh Lord” is expressed. This phrase exhibits a longing for change and protection. As I listen to news of the day I connect with this sentiment. There is much in our world that appears out of control and evil seems to win the day […]

Why call it Christian?

Why call your religion Christian if you don’t want to obey Christ?

Several church groups this summer have either abandoned traditional marriage or are considering doing so. My question is why call your religion Christian if you do not wish to obey Christ?

Dead end sign

Even in our bad choices

But what about the choices we make for ourselves? Does it not stand to reason that God also knows about them and has considered them in his plan? Of course it does.

Reflection on Psalm 22

For believers, the wounds that are suffered at the hands of church leaders are difficult to overcome and the only chance of overcoming them is to look beyond those leaders to the Christ that the leaders claim to follow.

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