To be poor in spirit is not an endorsement of poverty. It is the recognition of our emptiness without God.

God resists the proud but gives grace to the Humble. (James 4:6).    

There will be times of mourning in this life: the loss of loved ones, tragedies of all sorts, sickness, and diseases, but there is comfort in knowing that God cares, and he understands. 

There is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. (Ecclesiastes 3:4).

“… Weeping may endure for the night (the night can sometimes be for many days), but Joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5).

  Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has said: “Meekness is strong—not weak; active—not passive; courageous—not timid; restrained—not excessive; modest—not self-aggrandizing; and gracious—not brash. A meek person—is not easily provoked, pretentious, or overbearing and readily acknowledges the accomplishments of others.”

“The fruit of the spirit is … Meekness (Galatians 5:23). 

The word righteousness means “ right standing .” Both with God and men. Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man can see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14).

The hunger motivates us to do what is right at all times and to hate the evil of this world—adultery, fornication, pride, and racial prejudices, envy, murder, etc. 

“His delight is in the law of the Lord; in his law doth he Meditate day and night.” (Psalm 1:2).

Mercy is the unmerited favor of God—not getting what we deserved for our sins. Therefore, if you have received mercy, you ought to readily show mercy. 

Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of Mercies. (Colossians 3:12).

Only the blood of Jesus can make the vilest sinner clean. When the heart is pure, we’ll see the world differently. We can then enjoy its’ beauty and resources.

We can love others as God loves us.

David’s Prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O’ God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10).

All Christians are called to be peacemakers. As ambassadors of Christ, we have a responsibility to preach peace wherever we go. Not provoking riots, confusion, or strife.

“Let the Peace of God rule in your hearts…” (Colossians 3:15).

It is an honor to stand up for the cause of Christ in the face of opposition, even when it’s unpopular, as in the workplace or at school.

Some Christians face persecution from family members, especially when their decisions contradict the family’s traditions.

The Bible says– “For it is better if the will of God be so that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil doing. (1 Peter 3:17).

                                                                                                                                 Maurice W. Armstrong (Pastor)