How to live to be blessed by God and be happy?

According to Jesus the blessed and happy are:

I. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 5:3

“Poor in spirit” means to rely on God instead of myself.

Cultivate the 5 dependencies of God:

1. Rely on God’s wisdom: listen and do as God orders.

2. Rely on God’s strength: lean on the strength of God.

3. Rely on God’s timing: He knows the right moment.

4. Rely on God’s protection: take shelter in His heart.

5. Rely on God’s wealth: trust in His resources. D

II. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” Matthew 5:4

How does God bless the broken hearts?

1. God brings you near to His heart like a mother that comforts her baby.

2. God pities you, suffers with you.

3. God gives you a Church and brothers to lean on.

4. God gives you hope from the sky: this is not the end.

5. God takes advantage of your pain to help others to experience their pain.

III. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” Matthew 5:5

8 benefits of being kind:

1. Kindness reduces conflict.

2. Kindness disarms critics.

3. Kindness is persuasive.

4. Kindness is attractive.

5. Kindness communicates love.

6. Kindness gains respect.

7. Kindness bears witness to the unbeliever.

8. Kindness makes you act like Jesus and makes you look like Him.  

IV. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will have their fill” Matthew 5:6

What to do to be spiritually hungry? O que fazer para ter fome espiritual?

1. Remind myself of how much God loves me. Lembrar-me o quanto Deus me ama.

2. Stop stuffing myself with what doesn’t quench.

3. Make my #1 foal to know God.

4. Dive in the Word of God every day.

V. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will obtain mercy” Matthew 5:7

How to practice mercy?

1. Be patient with people’s quirkiness.

2. Help someone close to me.

3. Give people a second chance.

4. Do good to those that have hurt me.

5. Be kind with those who offend me.

6. Go to meet the shyer ones.

7. Value more the relationships than the rules.

VI. “Blessed are the puré of heart, for they will see God” Matthew 5:8

6 ways to become a person of integrity:

1. Keep your promises – verbal integrity. Mantém as tuas promessas – integridade verbal

2. Pay your debts – financial integrity.

3. Refuse to participate in gossip and intrigue – relationship integrity. R

4. Make your parish contribution – spiritual integrity.

5. Give your best at work – business integrity.

6. Be yourself with others – interpersonal integrity.

VII. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” Matthew 5:9

How to be a pacifier?

1. Take the first step – take initiative.

2. Ask wisdom to God – pray.

3. Start acknowledging your faults – check yourself and ask for forgiveness.

4. Be attentive to the wounds and perspectives of the other – listen.  Está atento às feridas e perspetivas do outro – escuta-o.

5. Tell the truth with love! – be careful with your words and in how you speak.

6. Attack the problem and not the one responsible for it.  

7. Focus on reconciliation, not on resolution.

VIII. “Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and utter all kinds of calumnies against you for my sake.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven” Matthew 5:10-12

6 attitudes for when you are persecuted for your love of Jesus:

1. Don’t be surprised: don’t wait that the world will support you in following Christ!

2. Don’t be embarrassed – of defending the truth or to do the right thing!

3. Recognize the source: Satan hates God and hates you!

4. Refuse to retaliate, like Jesus did.

5. Answer by blessing: repay good with evil.