"AT THE END OF YOUR ROPE" MATTHEW 5:3-10


"You are blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
You're blessed when you're content with just who you are -no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being `care-full,' you find yourself cared for.
You're blessed when you get your inside world -your mind and your heart -put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom." [THE MESSAGE]

"How blest are those who know their need of God; the kingdom of God is theirs.
How blest are the sorrowful; they shall find consolation.
How blest are those of a gentle spirit; they shall have the earth for their possession.
How blest are those who hunger and thirst to see right prevail; they shall be satisfied.
How blest are those who show mercy; mercy shall be shown to them.
How blest are those whose hearts are pure; they shall see God.
How blest are the peacemakers; God shall call them his sons.
How blest are those who have suffered persecution for the cause of right; the kingdom of
Heaven is theirs." [THE NEW ENGLISH BIBLE].


"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 poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!
Blessed and enviably happy [with a happiness produced by the experience of God's favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace] are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted! [Isa. 61:2].
Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous, spiritually prosperous -with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the meek (the mild, patient, long suffering), for they shall inherit the earth! [Ps. 37:11.]
Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied! [Isa. 55:1,2.]
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!
Blessed (happy, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous -possessing the happiness produced by the experience of God's favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God! (Ps. 24:3).
Blessed (enjoying enviable happiness, spiritually prosperous -with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the sons of God!
Blessed and happy and enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous (in the state in which a born again child of God enjoys and finds satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of his outward conditions) are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!" [THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE].

Guest posted by:

Isaac D. Kabera, Ph.D.
Assistant Superintendent
Walnut Street Greenhouses
University of Wisconsin-Madison
525 Walnut Street
Madison WI, 53 726