\u201cYou\u2019re blessed when you\u2019re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. \u201cYou\u2019re blessed when you feel you\u2019ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. \u201cYou\u2019re blessed when you\u2019re content with just who you are\u2014no more, no less. That\u2019s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can\u2019t be bought. \u201cYou\u2019re blessed when you\u2019ve worked up a good appetite for God. He\u2019s food and drink in the best meal you\u2019ll ever eat. \u201cYou\u2019re blessed when you care. At the moment of being \u2018care-full,\u2019 you find yourselves cared for. \u201cYou\u2019re blessed when you get your inside world\u2014your mind and heart\u2014put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. \u201cYou\u2019re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That\u2019s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God\u2019s family. \u201cYou\u2019re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God\u2019s kingdom. \u201cNot only that\u2014count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens\u2014give a cheer, even!\u2014for though they don\u2019t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.\u201d MATTHEW 5:3-12 (The Message)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cYou\u2019re blessed when you\u2019re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. \u201cYou\u2019re blessed when you feel you\u2019ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. \u201cYou\u2019re blessed when you\u2019re content with just who you are\u2014no more, no less. That\u2019s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can\u2019t be bought. \u201cYou\u2019re blessed when you\u2019ve worked…<\/p>\n