3/13/2022

Necessary Attitudes

Matthew 5:3-11 Message

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

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.

You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for. You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

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.

You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom. Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.”

Each beatitude depicts the ideal heart condition of a citizen of God’s kingdom. In this relm of thinking, the believer experiences abundant spiritual blessings.

I’ve always considered the Beatitudes as the prerequisite for becoming true disciples. Each attitude of submission is the right path in finding God’s favor and finding our own peace and contentment.

Prayer:
Father, I need You, without You I am nothing and I can do nothing of good. Give me the right attitude toward You and You will give me the right attitude for everything else.