The Beatitudes: 8. Persecution. Please read Matthew 5:3-12. “Blessed are they who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:10). Congratulations! Be glad! You are in good company when you are treated badly for doing good. You are in a select group when you are mistreated for doing what …
The Beatitudes: 7. Peace. Please read Matthew 5:3-10. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.” (Matt. 5:9). You will grin from ear to ear when you are able to harmonize people and help those in discord to sing the same sweet tune. Congratulations! God is drawing up the adoption …
The Beatitudes: 6. Purity. Please read Matthew 5:3-10. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matt. 5:8). You will cheer with delight when your innermost being is cleaned of mixed motives and impure thoughts. Congratulations! Your clean inner reservoir of instincts will now more clearly reflect a pure image of God, …
The Beatitudes: 5. Mercy. Please read Matthew 5:3-10. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matt. 5:7). Congratulations! You are one of God’s favorites when you compassionately share someone’s misery and relieve their difficulty. You are to be envied! For putting God’s love into action towards others puts His love into action for …
The Beatitudes: 4. Hunger. Please read Matthew 5:3-10. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6). You will enjoy full satisfaction when you starve for a more righteous character like a desert pilgrim in a desperate search for food and water. Congratulations! When you have an appetite …
The Beatitudes: 3. Meekness. Please read Matthew 5:3-10. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5). You will be joyfully fulfilled when you submit to God’s authority, like a wild bronco bridled by a master horseman. Congratulations! Since your strength and giftedness is guided by God, you will soon explore the …
The Beatitudes: 2. Grief. Please read Matthew 5:3-10. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (5:3). You will sigh with satisfying relief when your heart is broken by the profound pain of loss, shame or sin. You are fortunate! You are not alone! For the deeper your sorrow, the more room there …
The Beatitudes: 1. Poverty. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3). You will shout for joy when you are spiritually helpless like a bankrupt beggar knocking at the gate of the King, hat in hand. Congratulations! When your spirit is poverty-stricken and you have no option but …
The Beatitudes: Summing Up. Found in Matthew 5: 3-10. CONTEXT. Jesus had just been touring the entire region in a flurry of teaching, preaching and healing. Huge crowds were following Him from one place to the next. So He decided to take His closest disciples aside to a hilltop near Capernaum for a special word. …
Songs of Heaven (6). Please read Revelation 19:6-9. “Then I heard what seemed to be the thunderous voice of a great multitude, like the sound of a massive waterfall and mighty peals of thunder, singing: ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns! Let us rejoice and exalt Him and give Him glory, because …
Songs of Heaven (5). Please read Revelation 15:2-4. “I saw before me what seemed to be a glass sea mixed with fire. And on it stood all the people who have been victorious over the beast and his statue and the number representing his name. They were all holding harps that God had given them. …
Songs of Heaven (4). Please read Revelation 7:9-12. “After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting …