Grant lead a discussion on the Beatitudes a while back but I like to read over this every once in a while. . Really eye opening. We concluded by Grant reading the beatitudes to us in a way that helped put the verses into focus for me.
Matthew 5: 2-11
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Reading it Differently:
Truly content are the people who realize they are nothing without God because they will be saved.
Truly happy are the people who agonize over their sin because God will restore them.
Content are the gentle ones who recognize Gods holiness for they are inheriting God's kingdom.
Happy are those who desire nothing else than to be like God because only they will truly be satisfied in this world.
Truly happy are those who see the weakness of others and act because God will act to meet their needs too.
Content are those undivided in their hearts and minds, who seek God's righteousness before all else for they will experience God constantly.
Truly happy are those in harmony with God's desire for righteousness in the world for they are in God's family.
Truly content and very, very happy for those beaten up, abused, slandered, gossiped about, and mistreated for me because all I have is theirs and they aren't alone.
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