For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12 NLT
“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. Matthew 5:3-10 ESV
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 NLT
Makarios: Joy which has its secret within itself, that joy which is serene and untouchable, and self-contained that joy which is completely independent of all the chances and changes of life.
THE FOUR PERSONAL QUALITIES THAT ARE BLESSED
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 ESV
1. SPIRITUAL INADEQUACY: O the bliss of those who feel inadequate!
HUMAN NATURE IS SELF-RELIANCE, BUT A DISCIPLES NATURE MUST BE SURRENDER
‘He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.’ John 3:30 NLT
“It is not that we need to believe that God is great, only that God is greater than us.” Nassim Taleb
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 ESV
2. SPIRITUAL REMORSE: O the bliss of the repentant!
For the wages of sin is death… Romans 6:23 NLT
“You will never make yourself feel that you are a sinner, because there is a mechanism in you as a result of sin that will always be defending you against every accusation. We are all on very good terms with ourselves, and we can always put up a good case for ourselves. Even if we try to make ourselves feel that we are sinners, we will never do it. There is only one way to know that we are sinners, and that is to have some dim, glimmering conception of God.” -Martyn Lloyd-Jones
‘For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.’ 2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 ESV
3. SPIRITUAL HUMILITY: O the bliss of the humble!
MEEKNESS IS SIMPLY POWER UNDER CONTROL
But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. Psalms 37:11 NIV
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6 ESV
4. SPIRITUAL ASPIRATION: O the bliss of the unsatisfied!
He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT
O God of my life, I’m lovesick for you in this weary wilderness. I thirst with the deepest longings to love you more, with cravings in my heart that can’t be described. Such yearning grips my soul for you, my God! I’m energized every time I enter your heavenly sanctuary to seek more of your power and drink in more of your glory… Psalms 63:1-2 TPT
“Spirit of the living God, be The Gardener of my soul… Clear away the dead growth of the past, break up the hard clods of custom and routine, stir in the rich compost a vision and challenge. Bury deep in my soul the implanted Word, cultivate and tend my heart, until new life buds and opens and flowers.” Richard Foster