Here are excerpts from "How to be Blessed by Christ", by John Lowstreet. This book of essays emphasizes the beatitudes because they are at the heart of basic Christianity. Christ placed them up front in His famous Sermon on the Mount. There is a sample reading from each essay.
The Poor in Spirit
“Poor in spirit is an attitude toward other people, not a broken down condition. People who are poor in spirit are happy to see other people do well, instead of competitively wanting to be first and best.”
Those Who Mourn
“God wants us blessed. It is not the issues that are so important to Him; He can handle all issues, small and great. It is we ourselves who are important to Him. If we will mourn, He will comfort.”
The Meek
“Who are the meek? The meek are people who do not try to avenge themselves, but instead refer the righteousness of their cause to the throne of God. Meek people are people who trust God's justice.”
Those Who Yearn
“Christ is saying in this beatitude to be hungry for what is right. When the world we live in presents a challenge to us, the test is whether or not we will do what is right. Will you take the high road or the shortcut?”
The Merciful
“Part of the essence of God being God is the choice of whether or not to be merciful to someone. Only God has that choice. No one else has the right to choose to play God by choosing to be unmerciful.”
The Pure in Heart
“Why do some people look at the sky at night and see God, while others look at the sky at night and only see the night? It is because God is not seen with the eyes; He is seen with the heart. In this beatitude, the King is legislating a blessing on those who have pure hearts.”
Peacemakers
“Conversely, we are not given the title, "Sons of God" in perpetuity, because of one occasion of making some peace. God's mercies are new every morning. Every day we decide to be a peacemaker is a day of fresh blessing as a Son or Daughter of God.”
The Persecuted
“As people live out and activate the other beatitudes in their daily lives, the blessings that will come to them will be resented. But the cruelty of envy is counteracted by the grace of God. The blessing of this beatitude is the antidote to the venom of the world.”
