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THE BEATITUDES | DAY 9 OF 9 — THE FINALE 🙌🏾

Yesterday, Ken challenged us to be thermostats instead of thermometers—not simply reflecting the culture around us, but influencing our environment with the truth and character of Christ.

But there’s something about changing the temperature:

Some people are going to complain.

Jesus makes that reality personal in Matthew 5:11:

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”

Jesus didn’t hide the cost of discipleship. Following Him faithfully can bring rejection, false accusations, broken relationships, and persecution.

But then comes the promise.

“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” — Matthew 5:12

When obedience to Jesus costs us something, we don’t have to lose heart. God sees our faithfulness, and our reward in Him is greater than anything following Christ may cost us in this life.

And just like that, we’ve reached the end of our 9-day journey through The Beatitudes. ❤️

Thank you to everyone who watched, commented, shared, prayed, and studied alongside Ken and me.

We’ve spent nine days learning what Jesus says about the character of those who belong to His Kingdom.

Now let’s go live them.

📖 Matthew 5:3–12

🌡️ Are you a thermostat or a thermometer?

A thermometer adjusts to the temperature around it. A thermostat sets the temperature.

As followers of Jesus, we aren’t called to simply reflect the culture around us. We are citizens of God’s Kingdom, called to represent Christ and bring Kingdom values into our homes, workplaces, friendships, and communities.

But when you refuse to conform, resistance will come.

Jesus tells us:

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 5:10

Following Christ may put you at odds with the environment around you—and Jesus never promised otherwise. But He does call those who endure for righteousness’ sake blessed.

Don’t allow the culture to set your temperature.

Through Christ, change the environment. 🔥

📖 Matthew 5:10
Day 8 of 9 | The Beatitudes

THE BEATITUDES — DAY 7 🕊️ | PEACEMAKERS

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
— Matthew 5:9

Being a peacemaker is more than settling arguments, avoiding confrontation, or helping people get along.

There is a deeper peace that humanity desperately needs: peace with God.

Sin separated us from God, but through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, reconciliation has been offered to us. The Gospel is the good news that those who were once separated from God can now be brought near through Christ.

And those who have received that peace are called to carry that message of peace to others.

So ask yourself today:

Am I simply trying to keep the peace—or am I helping people discover the Prince of Peace?

📖 Matthew 5:9
🕊️ Day 7 of The Beatitudes

THE BEATITUDES | DAY 6 — THE PURE IN HEART 🤍

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
— Matthew 5:8

We can spend a lot of time making sure everything looks right on the outside, but God is concerned with what is happening within us.

Our motives. Our desires. Our thoughts. The things competing for our affection.

And sometimes our hearts become so crowded with the noise of life that it becomes difficult to recognize what God is saying.

What if we intentionally canceled some of the clutter?

Jesus tells us that the pure in heart are blessed because they shall see God. May we become people who don’t merely look like followers of Christ outwardly, but sincerely desire Him inwardly.

🙏🏾 What clutter might you need to remove to pursue God with an undivided heart?

📖 The Beatitudes | Day 6

THE BEATITUDES | DAY 5 — THE MERCIFUL

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
— Matthew 5:7

We live in a culture that can be quick to condemn people for their failures while forgetting how desperately we ourselves need mercy.

Jesus calls His people to something different.

Our willingness to show mercy should flow from understanding the incredible mercy God has already shown us through Jesus Christ. Mercy doesn’t mean pretending wrong is right or eliminating accountability—it means refusing to forget the grace that we ourselves have received.

Before we condemn someone else, maybe we should remember what God has forgiven in us.

🙏🏾 Today, ask God to show you an opportunity to extend mercy to someone else.

The Beatitudes | Day 4
Matthew 5:6

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Every one of us is pursuing something.

We hunger for success, relationships, security, recognition, and countless other things that promise fulfillment. Yet Jesus teaches that true satisfaction isn’t found in what the world offers—it’s found in pursuing righteousness and drawing near to God.

To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to desire God’s presence, His truth, and His will above everything else. It’s recognizing that nothing this world can offer will ever satisfy the deepest longing of our souls.

Today, take a moment to ask yourself:

What am I truly hungry for?
Is my heart pursuing Christ, or have I been settling for temporary things that leave me empty?

May God give us a greater appetite for His Word, His righteousness, and His Kingdom.

📖 Today’s Scripture: Matthew 5:6

🙏 We’d love for you to join us as we continue walking through The Beatitudes, one day at a time.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

Our culture often celebrates the loudest voice, the strongest person, or the one who always gets their way. But Jesus turns that idea upside down.

Biblical meekness is not weakness. It’s strength that is surrendered to God. It’s having the power to retaliate, yet choosing self-control. It’s having authority, yet serving others with humility.

As a police officer, I’ve seen firsthand what happens when strength is used to intimidate, manipulate, or take advantage of others. Jesus calls His followers to something greater. He calls us to reflect His character by exercising restraint, humility, and gentleness.

Today, ask yourself:

Where has God given me influence, authority, or strength?
Am I using it to serve others—or to serve myself?

May we become people whose strength is directed by the Holy Spirit rather than our emotions.

📖 Today’s Scripture: Matthew 5:5

🙏 If this encouraged you, share it with someone and join us tomorrow as we continue walking through The Beatitudes.

📖 The Beatitudes | Day 2

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)

The world often sees mourning as something to avoid at all costs. Yet Jesus declares that those who mourn are blessed.

Why?

Because He is speaking of hearts that grieve over sin, recognize the brokenness of this fallen world, and long for the restoration that only God can provide.

Those who come to Christ with repentance and dependence upon Him discover a comfort that the world cannot offer. His comfort is found in His forgiveness, His presence, and the hope of His coming Kingdom.

If you’re carrying grief today, don’t carry it alone. Bring it to the feet of Jesus. He is faithful to comfort those who trust in Him.

We invite you to continue this journey with us through The Beatitudes as we study one verse at a time and discover what life in the Kingdom of God truly looks like.

📖 Beatitudes Series | Day 2