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Few people would refuse a blessing from God. One day while Jesus was on earth, the crowds came to hear Him teach. As they gathered, Jesus took His 12 disciples apart. He described for them values that God honors and blesses. He said, “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn for they shall be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be justified. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they shall see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven.” Billy Graham once correctly said, “The character that we find in the Beatitudes is nothing less than our Lord’s own character, put into words.” Yet they also describe values that Christ wants us to pursue, that God’s Spirit enables us to reflect, values that God has promised to honor and bless.
