Once Upon a Time
God said
"Let there be"
Light
and
there was
Light.
Once Upon a Time
God said
"Let there be"
Forgiveness
and
He sent His Son.
"Let there be"~
to exist
to come to pass~
a command
bringing forth
what is needed
to brighten the dark
to make things new.
Once Upon a Time
Jesus said
Blessed are
you and me
*the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven~
“______________, (PUT your name in the blanks)
you’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope.
With less of you, ______________, there is more of God and his rule.*
Blessed are
* those who mourn for theirs is the kingdom of heaven~
“______________, 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.
Blessed are *the meek, for they will be comforted~
“______________, 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.
Blessed are *those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled~
“______________, 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.
Blessed are
* the merciful, for they will be shown mercy~
“______________, you’re blessed when you care.
At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
Blessed are *the pure in heart, for they will see God~
“______________, you’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right.
Then you can see God in the outside world.
Blessed are *the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God~
“______________, 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.
Blessed are *those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven~
“______________, you’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution.
The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
Blessed are
*you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me~
“Not only that—count yourself, ________________, 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.
Because you are
Blessed
*Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
________________, you can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t 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.
Blessed are~
The Beatitudes stating
the condition
and the end result
because
God said
"Let there be"
and there was
and
because
Jesus said
Blessed are
you and me.
What Blessed promise do you need to
Put in your story
this very moment?
Be
Blessed
today, tomorrow, always
because
Blessed are
you
when you
Put Him in your story.
*Scripture references from Matthew 5:3-11 (*NIV and *The Message)