POST #9: JESUS' SERMON ON THE MOUNT is one of many scriptures that talks about BLESS... BLESSING... BLESSED...

As we finish up the month of September, please look at these verses (from Genesis to Revelation) that speak of blessing. 

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Genesis 1:28-29  GOD TO ADAM AND EVE: 

·         And God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

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Genesis 9:1 

·         GOD TO NOAH AND HIS FAMILY:  “And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.’”

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Genesis 12:1-3 

·         GOD TO ABRAM:   ‘Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you; And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

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Genesis 22:15-19 

·         GOD TO ABRAHAM:  "By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."

Be-attitudes in Psalms

Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the LORD. 1:1-2

Blessed are all who put their trust in Him.  2:12

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven.  32:1

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.  33:12

Blessed is the man who takes refuge in the LORD. 34:8

Blessed is he who considers the poor.  41:1

Blessed is the man whose strength is in the LORD.  84:5

Blessed is the man whom the LORD chastens.  94:12

Blessed are those who seek Him with the Whole Heart. 119:2

Blessed is he who Fears the LORD.  112:1

Many refer to the book of Psalms as the heart of the Old Testament.

Proverbs 3:13-14 

·         How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding. For its profit is better than the profit of silver, And its gain than fine gold.”

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Isaiah 30:18

·         “Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.”

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Jeremiah 17:7-8

·         "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD.  "For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.” 

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John 1:15-17

·         “John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'" From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

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Luke 24:50-53

·         “When He had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

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2 Corinthians 9:8

·         “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

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Ephesians 1:3 

·         “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

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James 1:12

·         “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

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James 1:25

·         “But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”

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James 5:11

·         “As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”

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1 Peter 3:9

• ·“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

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1 Peter 3:14   

·         “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”

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1 Peter 4:14

·         “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”

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Revelation 20:6

·         “Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them…”

 ~ GIGATTAATTGIG ~

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POST #8 - JESUS' SERMON ON THE MOUNT: POOR IN SPIRIT... IT'S ABOUT THE CROSS... BLESSED... OH, THE JOY!

This life is full of mini and massive crosses to bear.  How do you and I "take up our cross daily and follow HIM"?  What has HE allowed to happen to you or me that HE HIMSELF would not be willing to endure?  

As we are focusing on JESUS' Sermon on the Mount (with special emphasis on the beatitudes), this month I've made connections to:

1. the "kingdom of heaven" throughout the book of Matthew (as discussed in Post #1).
2. various other scriptures that share similar concepts, such as, James and Ephesians.
3. real life happenings and feelings that we experience as we try to follow JESUS.

Today, let's think about a few things that JESUS said:

• In John 10:10, JESUS said that HE came so that, "They may have life, and have it abundantly!" 
• In the first section of HIS Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5), JESUS lays out what that "abundant life looks like".  Here are just a few of the things to expect:  
•  kingdom living starts with being poor in spirit... 
• being blessed... 
• mourning
• showing mercy
• being the peacemaker
• getting insulted... 
• being lied about... 
• suffering persecution... 
• doing a lot of things that might be hard to do... 
• eternal LIFE...

• Luke 23:46 tells us one of the things that JESUS said, as HE hung on the cross.  In fact, those words are the same words that every Jewish mother taught their children to pray, once they began to speak:

"FATHER, into YOUR hands
I commit my spirit." 
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JESUS had been on a 33 year journey of trust.  HE could say that HE daily woke up and made a decision to turn HIS day over to GOD.  Through much training, HE walked the life of the cross.  
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HE articulated what it would look like to be HIS follower:  "Then HE said to them all: “Whoever wants to be MY disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow ME." 
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The whole concept of being "poor in spirit" reminds each of us that "life's not about me"... "life's about GOD".  Once we understand that, then we internalize that life really is a "cross walk".

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At what point do we say this to GOD?

• "I get it!  Life is not about me!  Life is about YOU.  My life needs to become less about me and more about YOU.  I honor YOU today, FATHER, with my feeble efforts to be POOR IN SPIRIT!  Into YOUR hands I commit my spirit.  Do with me as YOU will."

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Difficult?  Yes!
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What happens when trouble comes?  
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Do we then raise our fist to GOD or do we realize who we are in relation to GOD?  It's hard to remain "poor in spirit" in the tough times!  This past month, my hubby has been preaching on "We were not called to be happy, we were called to be HOLY!"

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Is it possible that you and I... each person living... was born to die?  It's a deep concept!  The HOLINESS OF GOD calls us to give ourselves up for HIM.  

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Do remember all 7 of the things that JESUS said on the cross?  It was the culmination of a cross-walking life:

1. Luke 23:34 - HE extended forgiveness to those who had no clue what they were doing:  "FATHER, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
2. Luke 23:43 - HE chose to bless a stranger, in the midst of HIS suffering:  "Truly I say to you, today you will be with ME in paradise."
3. John 19:26-27: HE chose to bless HIS mother, in the midst of HIS suffering:  "Woman, behold your son.  Son, behold your mother."
4. Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34: HIS intimate relationship with GOD was evident in HIS questioning:  "MY GOD, MY GOD, why have YOU forsaken ME?"
5. John 19:28:  HE simply stated HIS need: "I thirst."
6. John 19:30:  HE knew that HE had accomplished HIS mission of denying HIMSELF and bearing HIS daily cross... and now the final CROSS:  "It is finished."
7. Luke 23:46:  With a childlike heart, HE repeated HIS childhood prayer:  "FATHER, into YOUR hands I commit MY spirit."

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JESUS knew the secrets of living and HE lived them one day at a time.  In HIS Sermon on the Mount, HE reminds us that "...each day has enough trouble of its own."
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For my family and me, we can recall many days of "taking up our cross".  One of "those days" was last year when we heard the unexpected words, "STAGE 4 CANCER!"  We cried... denied... wailed... grieved... Yet, in the midst of the journey, we kept being reminded that it as not about us... it was about the cross... about eternal life... about GOD!  
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GIGATTAATTGIG
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This song shares, in part, what I am trying to say.  The last half of the song goes like this:
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"The beginning of the story is wonderful and great

But it's the ending that can save you 

and that's why we celebrate. 

It's about the cross

It's about my sin.

It's about how JESUS came to be born once,

So that we could be born again.

It's about GOD'S love,

Nailed to a tree.

It's about every drop of blood 

that flowed from HIM,

when it should have been me. 

It's about the stone,

That was rolled away,

So that you and I could have real life someday (today)...

So that you and I could have real life someday (today)...

It's about the cross.  It's about the cross."

 

 

POST #7 - JESUS' SERMON ON THE MOUNT: POOR IN SPIRIT... TRANSFORMING... CRUCIFYING... BLESSED... OH, THE JOY!

Friday, September 25, 2015

What do you see when you look in the mirror?  I like to stand in front of the mirror and say, "Mirror, mirror on the wall... do you see JESUS in me at all?"
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If the mirror could talk, it would answer back, "JESUS says that living in HIS kingdom starts with being poor in spirit. How's your spirit, Patti?"
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It reminds me of a few verses in the Bible.  One scripture, I have heard my mother-in-love paraphrase, over the years, in reference to herself - Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with CHRIST; and it is no longer I who live, but CHRIST lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the SON OF GOD, who loved me and gave HIMself for me."    
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heart emoticoIt's the beginning of TRANSFORMATION!
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"BLESSED are the poor in spirit, 

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  

Matthew 5:3 

~Oh, the JOY~

POST #6 - JESUS' SERMON ON THE MOUNT: POOR IN SPIRIT... BEGGARLY... BLESSED... OH, THE JOY!... ENDURANCE...

Saturday-Sunday, September 19-20, 2015

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Did you know that the word "Blessed" in JESUS' Sermon on the Mount means "Oh, the JOY!"?  

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Read the first beatitude, Matthew 5, this way:

"Oh, the JOY of the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"

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What about the meaning of the phrase, "poor in spirit"?  We've talked about it being similar to the word "humble" or the words "having humility".  Yet, the word "poor" translated from "ptochos" literally means "to crouch or cower in as one helpless."  It's the beggar, the pauper, or the one in complete poverty who is totally dependent on others for help.  "Ptochos" can also be translated as "beggarly".

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The past week, I've watched new kindergartners weep and mourn, in separation anxiety from their parents, begging to see them.  I've heard "I want my daddy!"  "I need my mommy!" over and over again. I've talked to professionals and people in different walks of life who are 

• Discouraged,
• Despondent,
• in Despair, and/or 
• almost Destroyed... 

They are ready TO QUIT. I know people who are feeling alienated... out of work... about to have their utilities turned off... have or about to lose their jobs/homes... have almost insurmountable health problems... lost a family member... ENDURANCE is not simple!

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Please, my friend... DO NOT QUIT! 
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ENDURANCE is not just stamina or strength of will. It requires a dependence on resources that we don't even possess - someONE greater than ourselves. There is a need for deep breathing... health... pacing... positive thinking... against all odds: 
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JESUS is the answer!

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Being part of HIS kingdom begins 

with being spiritually 

alienated... 

useless... 

bankrupt... 

beggarly... 

sickly... 

grieving...

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Life is hard,

but GOD is good!

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1. Count as BLESSINGS what GOD has given to you.
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How did this guy make it up the mountain?

With the life, breath, and body given to him by GOD! 
BLESSED!  Oh, the JOY!

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2. Seek GOD's SON first... He is our "SUN" who is the FOUNTAIN OF LIVING WATER.
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How did this tree maintain it's brillance in the midst of a snowstorm?

It has previously gotten nourishment, from the sun and water,

into it's root system.

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3. Know that GOD will make a way! There may not be anyway that looks possible, but JESUS can make a way when there is no way!
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How did this little guy get these icebergs to separate?

He did not! He waited in faith, nothing doubting,

for this amazing opportunity to give him passage.

Depending on where you are in your life right now, I beg you to participate in the encouraging act of ENDURANCE... 
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It begins by being "poor in spirit" and realizing we cannot do it without GOD.  Our lives are bankrupt without HIM.  We must walk with JESUS, keeping our eyes on HIM.
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September has been named "Suicide Prevention Month".  Let's stop the insanity... breathe deep... breathe in the love of JESUS... Join me in ENDURING today... tomorrow... the next day by:
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1. Being the hands and feet of JESUS to others... providing love, encouragement, food, gifts, etc. - Oh, the JOY!
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2. Being the willing recipient of love, encouragement, food, gifts, etc. by those who want to minister to you. - Oh, the JOY!
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3. Being a BLESSINGS counter while you are doing #1 or #2 or both.  Remember to count your BLESSINGS and not your troubles! I'm starting me a new list today and it's not even November!  Oh, the JOY!

‘Come, you who are BLESSED

by My Father;
take your inheritance,

the kingdom prepared for you
since the creation of the world.

For I was hungry and

you gave me something to eat,

I was thirsty and

you gave me something to drink,

I was a stranger and

you invited me in,

I needed clothes and

you clothed me,

I was sick and

you looked after me,
I was in prison and

you came to visit me.'

~BLESSED~

Oh, the JOY!

POST #5: JESUS' SERMON ON THE MOUNT: POOR IN SPIRIT... POURED OUT... CRACKED POT...

 Thursday - Friday, September 17-18, 2015
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Poor in spirit?  Consider these two visuals and a fable:
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1. POURED OUT:  I often replace the word "poor" with the word "pour" when talking about being poor in spirit.  If I am to be poor in spirit, I need to pour myself out and get filled up with GOD's Spirit.  I need to willingly pour the self out of me... pour the "it's all about me" out of me and become SELFLESS.  Maybe that looks much like a bottle full of contaminated water being poured out, so that LIVING WATER can fill you up.  
   
    
2. CRACKED POT:  As you allow the HOLY SPIRIT to come inside of you, filling you up with GOD, your pot or vessel may have cracks from all the hard knocks of life you have experienced and will continue to experience.  Being poor in spirit allows us to be "okay" with being a "cracked pot", if will give others light and salt for JESUS.  Years ago I claimed this verse and picture as one of my favorite scriptures:

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"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,

that the surpassing greatness of the power may be
of God

and not from ourselves."

2 Corinthians 4:7

There is a Chinese fable that helps us see that it's okay to be a cracked/flawed human when living for JESUS. Thank you, GOD for it's message.  I am truly grateful and would like to share it here.
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"Once upon a time there was an elderly Chinese woman who owned two large clay pots. She would hang each pot on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. Each day she would walk from her house to the nearby stream to fetch water. She would fill up both pots, pick up the pole and walk back to her house. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full pot of water. At the end of the long walk back to her house, the cracked pot always arrived only half full. Because of the crack, half the water had leaked out during the
trek.
For two full years, this happened daily. The Chinese woman arrived home with only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud that it had never lost a drop of precious water. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its imperfection, and was miserable. The cracked pot thought of itself as a complete failure. One day, the cracked pot was so tired of failing that it spoke to the woman. The cracked pot said (remember this is a fable), “I am ashamed of myself because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house. I have failed you, and I’m sorry. Maybe you need to replace me with another pot that isn’t cracked.”
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The old woman smiled and said gently, “Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side? I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side. And every day as I’ve walked back you’ve been watering those seeds. For the past two years I’ve been able to pick the flowers to decorate my table. Without you being just the way you are, there would have been no beautiful flowers to grace my home.”
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So let's stop concerning ourselves with our inabilities and weaknesses, and simply contain the treasure that GOD has given us, letting HIM do the rest! And when you do you will realize GOD, in profound yet humbling ways, still uses cracked pots!

~BLESSED~

POST #4 - JESUS' SERMON ON THE MOUNT: BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT... KINGDOM OF HEAVEN LIVING IS TRANSFORMING

And God raised us up

with Christ and seated us with Him

in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus..."

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Transformed people, living here on earth, make their home in the "Kingdom of Heaven", according to Matthew, and "...in Heavenly Realms or Places" according to Ephesians. Those are the only scriptures where those two terms are used.

JESUS took the form of a baby when HE came to live on the earth. During the short 33 years that HE lived on this planet, HE did a lot of teaching. GOD, THE FATHER...GOD, THE SON...and GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT had designed earth to be a blessing to all involved. Over the years, mankind had a lot of difficulty understanding how to lead a life of blessing. So, one day, JESUS taught HIS disciples about what a blessed life would look like. Many scholars believe that this is the place where CHRIST's Sermon on the Mount happened.

In Matthew 5, the first part of JESUS' Sermon on the Mount, JESUS speaks what we call the BE-ATTITUDES. These foundational principles of Christianity could be accurately called the BE-JESUS verses.
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I'm going to list them for you in abbreviated form, only noting the verses that have the specific promise of the "Kingdom of Heaven".

1. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2. Blessed are those who mourn
3. Blessed are the meek
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
5. Blessed are the merciful
6. Blessed are the pure in heart
7. Blessed are the peacemakers
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
9. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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Life is a mess!  It's a dark world out there!  You want to live above it all right now?  In heavenly places?  In the kingdom of heaven?  It's possible!

Did you know, my friend, that if you live this way, you will live THE BLESSED LIFE!   While on this earth, you will be the flavoring of choice and a light in the darkness.

• Verse 13 "You are the salt of the earth.
• Verse 14 "You are the light of the world.

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BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT,

FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN...

At some point, each of us must learn that "life is not all about me...it's about GOD..."

We change from selfish to SELFLESS.

~BLESSED~

...OH, THE JOY!