Jesus said that we are blessed when we choose to do what is right, and then said when we get persecuted for doing what is right, we are blessed then too! So, are we persecuted? What does it mean? How do we respond?

As we continue through this series, looking at Matthew 5:3-12, we're at vs 9, Blessed are the peacemakers!... What does it mean to make peace? To be a bringer, or carrier of the peace of God?

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy! What did Jesus mean? And did he want us to show the same kind of mercy he showed people? Scripture tells us that the mercy and compassion of Jesus moved him to do wonderful things.

Today we look at the word Righteousness. What does Jesus mean when he says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness."? His promise is that the blessing is we will be satisfied and fulfilled.

Beginning to jump around a bit in our series looking at Matthew 5:3-12, the "Beatitudes", we are going to look at 5:5 and 5:8 today, and ask the question, "Where is your heart at?" Jesus cares about the heart because out of the heart flow action. Our hearts determine our lives. Where we set our affections, where we place our devotion, will dictate the decisions we make in life.

As we continue our journey through Matthew 5:3-12 we look at what it means to truly feel. Jesus said that we are blessed when we mourn because in our mourning we can experience His comfort. But that requires two things of us. First, to feel, to grieve, to mourn. And second, to turn to Him for comfort.

In our new series Could I Be Happier?, we are looking at what Jesus said about being happy. Not based on our circumstances, but regardless of them! Could it be that the things we are going through are actually meant to bring us to a place of true contentment in Christ?