the first four emphasize turning to God for help.
Proclaiming the joy of those who say yes to the one all-encompassing God.
1.. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2. Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.
3. Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the land.
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
these latter beatitudes move from desiring righteousness to living it.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
6. Blessed are the pure of heart for they will see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
8. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
1.. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
How happy are those who know their need for God,
To know one’s need of God is a joyful condition, a condition that, when we’re in it, triggers a promised reward.
Turning to God for help
"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. - Message
2. Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.
To care deeply
3. Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the land.
To think and live not arrogantly,
Belongs to those who are not windbags.
"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessings to those who exemplify righteousness in their actions—
When you've worked up a good appetite for God.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
To care deeply
Those who show mercy, those wholehearted in their devotion to God,
You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
6. Blessed are the pure of heart for they will see God.
The Christly purity inherent in each one of us.
You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
When you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right.
You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
8. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
To stand for goodness
You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom
