Prepared by Susan Holmes Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9 Here Jesus calls us to be peacemakers … not peacekeepers. This is a role that is classified as a blessing. And there is so much contained in this blessing. First, we must accept...

They are blessed whose thoughts are pure [or whose hearts are pure;  the pure in heart] for they will see God. Matthew 5:8   In our look at Christ’s mountainside teaching on the beatitudes, this one has been more difficult to pull together. The trouble lies in determining exactly what constituted a pure...

Prepared by Susan Holmes Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!   (Matthew 5:7)   Jesus makes a plea to be merciful, but let’s be honest, mercy isn’t...

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Matthew 5:6  Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.  Psalm 34:8 (Prepared by Susan Holmes)   There has been a hunger in me lately for more of my heavenly...

The Strength of Kingdom Living Prepared by Susan Holmes Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  Matthew 5:5  “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.”  Matthew 11:29 What do you normally think of when you hear that someone is “such a meek little...

(Study created by Susan Holmes) God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 (NLT)  Jesus had just come through 40 days of fasting, communing with His Father and being tempted by His enemy, the devil.  He was tempted in His area of greatest weaknesses at the...

 “One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them. God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”  Matthew 5:1-3 NLT We...