Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

We are truly poor--not just penniless, but spiritually and emotionally and mentally and socially and creatively bankrupt--without Christ Jesus, Who is Life (I John 1:4)! Truly, we can do nothing without Him, except just exist, and He gives us the breath and strength to exist, but we are not really living without His Spirit regenerating us to new creatures (2 Cor. 5:17).  So, we really have nothing of any value without Christ Jesus, as has been evidenced by many very wealthy people who could have whatever they wanted when they wanted--but were empty--totally impoverished--inside. Because they did not receive Christ as their Savior and LORD, they traded hell on earth for eternal hell, for Christ is our true wealth and riches; Heaven on earth now, and forever, when we receive Him (to as many as received Him, He gave the right to become the sons of God)! 

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

This “mourning” can be for others (Romans 12:15), for we know that Christ Himself wept, when He learned His friend Lazarus had died (John 11:35), and that He is the Comforter that is with us in every situation, totally understanding all we go through (John 14:16-26). The mourning can also be for oneself, as one realizes the depravity of him or herself apart from God; the inability to please Him, without Christ, and what freedom and lightness, comfort and hope, what inexpressible joy is realized, when we truly believe the redemption of our Savior by His blood; His incalculable mercy and grace that rescues every Believer from hell into Heaven’s embrace!

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

To be “meek” is such a compliment to God, for it is part of character of Christ—the LORD and Master of all, Whose power no foe can withstand; the Creator and Sustainer of all life and all that is good--expressed in gentleness and respect; the willingness of an obedient child. Just as Christ, Who was the ultimate Example of meekness when He humbled Himself and became a Man to serve His creation, He calls us who will meekly follow Him to yield to Him to rule and reign in earth; not by force, but by the Wisdom and Grace of God.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

As the Holy Spirit in us—and our souls, all the more as we awaken to His goodness!--will forever crave more of Christ, Who is our righteousness, He ultimately also fills us. Each experience causes us to want more and more and more and more of Him, Who is our Bliss! He is our ultimate, exquisite Desire, and we are only truly and supremely sublimely satiated by Himself; His Spirit watering our souls, cleansing, healing, nourishing us, and producing ripe and abundant fruit that brings Him honor and glory. We who love Him can never get enough of His Presence, which is Heaven on earth, and living right in His sight to please Him and show the world His goodness is the truest goal of our lives!

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Which of us does not want mercy instead of judgment? Showing and sowing mercy always comes from God, as we yield to His Spirit, content and resting, trusting Him as LORD Jesus did—to make things right at the expense of one’s own desires, remembering that God is the faithful Father of Mercies, and that His mercy precedes His judgment, so that we are not consumed (Lam. 3:22). We praise Him that He loved us so much He forgave us, and sent Christ our Redeemer, Himself the incomparable Mercy of God. When we forgive and show mercy, we are letting God demonstrate Himself through us.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

God Himself is pure, and there is nothing and no one like Him on earth, but Christ; the pure Spirit, the holy Spirit, the untainted One, the only One Who is perfectly straight and right with God! As 2 Timothy 2:21 (AMP) states, if one makes oneself clean from the things of the world (by reading and meditating and speaking and obeying the Word of God, which includes true repentance from evil and adherence to what is right in God’s eyes), then the LORD, the Living Water, will be so gracious to wash the mud of sin from the willing one’s soul, so they can see more of His beauty! He will cleanse them, so His Spirit in them can shine through, to show the dark demonic world the Light of Truth. He will sanctify and work through every person, every vessel, who truly wants to operate in His pure Love, and men will be drawn to Him.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and the right ones, the uncomplicated ones, both see and seek His peace: Shalom. This is a fruit of the Spirit, a priceless gift from Him, especially in this world of trouble and turmoil. We were all created and called to God’s peace; not just to the calm, although the LORD exhorts us to be so many places in the Word, but to see and seek wholeness in every area of life; Heaven on earth! The LORD has provided that for us through His blood. Though some in the world enjoy and create strife, many seek peace, but are confused and have no idea how to find what their God-breathed spirits know they should have. As children of God, we can enjoy and maintain peace (a fruit of the Spirit) within our relationships and souls, when we yield to the Spirit of Peace within, and abide in His Word. Then the people of the world will see that we are children of God, Who is Love (I John 4:8).

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

LORD Jesus was perfect, and He was scorned and ridiculed, and literally crucified for righteousness’ sake. The persecution always comes from the enemy of God, the devil, who is a perverted, angry, lying bully, and who seeks to destroy and defame anything and anyone who follows the true God. The soon-ending kingdom of darkness in the world is forever at war with the true, eternal, unending Kingdom of God, of our LORD Jesus Christ--but Jehovah, Elohim, Adonai, the King of the universe is on our side!  Also, the LORD is so good that He promises a reward to all who are truly His, who arepersecuted for doing the right thing. We who are in right standing with God know that if even LORD Jesus, Who was perfect in all His ways on earth, and Who is perfect    Light  with no darkness at all (I John 1:5), was persecuted, we should not be surprised if it happens to us. However, we rest and rejoice, knowing that no matter what, we have the victory, for our Victory is Christ (2 Cor. 2:14)!

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Even Jesus, the perfect One, the Light and Savior of the world; the Messiah Himself; the Way, the Truth, and the Life--Who spoke only what His Father God told Him to say, and did only what the Father told Him to do (John 5:19)--was reviled and persecuted. This includes persecution by those in His family and community and, and others who professed to follow God. Considering that, we should not be surprised that, on occasion, at least, we who are ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20), could be reviled and persecuted. The LORD can help us remember that it’s really not about us, but about the enemy who hates Christ trying to discredit and discourage Him. We should never seek persecution, but the more intense the persecution, the more God can get the glory. True love for God causes such devotion that the temporary troubles and trials and traumas    from the enemy do not sway the devoted one’s loyalty to the only Savior of the world, the Creator and Sustainer of life, but can deepen one’s resolve to live for Christ no matter what—and to know that the rewards from God are great, and so worth staying faithful to Him.

HALLELUJAH!

Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel.