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God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8 NLT

Purity is a positive subject. Perhaps you have heard preachers preach about purity, and it only brought about guilt, but Jesus tells us purity helps us see God. When it comes to drinking water, we are not shy about wanting it to be pure. We would regularly get a drink from the garden hose when I was growing up. Now that would be almost unthinkable. Why? Because the bacteria that is in the hose is not good. Purity Matters.

Jesus purposefully went to a town in Samaria and struck up a conversation with a woman isolated from her community. Jesus met this woman at Jacob’s well and asked her to draw him water to drink. She replied, “Get it yourself.” Refusing to be offended, Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:13–14 NLT
The woman asked for the water Jesus spoke about. He lovingly pressed toward the reason the woman was alone at the well. She had been married four times previously. The man she was now living with was not her husband. The day’s culture did not afford women the right to divorce a man. That right was given to men. Women were valued when they were able to give birth. If they were barren, the man had every right to divorce the woman. This may have been the reason for the woman to have been married and divorced four times.
Many have read this story and cast the woman as unfaithful and immoral throughout history. Maybe that was her reputation in that village as well. We cannot know for sure. However, we do know Jesus offered the woman pure water that led to eternal life.
Purity affects how we see God. The woman tried to change the subject. She tried to get Jesus to weigh in on a religious controversy about where they should worship God. Although she tried to switch the subject, she happened upon the fundamental issue of worship. Jesus said,

“But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23–24 NLT

The Kingdom of God comes offering a pure perspective from a heart that is purified to see God for who he is. Worship starts when we see God for who He is. Failed relationships can war against a pure heart. Idolatry and adultery are closely linked throughout the Bible and today. Israel’s heart was turned to idolatry. God exposed idolatry as adultery through the prophet Hosea. As a result of idolatry, Israel was exiled and separated from Jerusalem and the Temple.

Listen to the heart of God revealed through the prophet Ezekiel.

17 “Son of man, when the people of Israel were living in their own land, they defiled it by the evil way they lived. To me their conduct was as unclean as a woman’s menstrual cloth. 18 They polluted the land with murder and the worship of idols, so I poured out my fury on them. 19 I scattered them to many lands to punish them for the evil way they had lived. 20 But when they were scattered among the nations, they brought shame on my holy name. For the nations said, ‘These are the people of the LORD, but he couldn’t keep them safe in his own land!’ 21 Then I was concerned for my holy name, on which my people brought shame among the nations.
22 “Therefore, give the people of Israel this message from the Sovereign LORD: I am bringing you back, but not because you deserve it. I am doing it to protect my holy name, on which you brought shame while you were scattered among the nations. 23 I will show how holy my great name is—the name on which you brought shame among the nations. And when I reveal my holiness through you before their very eyes, says the Sovereign LORD, then the nations will know that I am the LORD. 24 For I will gather you up from all the nations and bring you home again to your land.
25 “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.”

God promises a pure heart. And when you have a pure heart, you worship God in spirit and truth. When you see God for who HE really is (worship), you can experience the reality of a supernatural God working in everyday life. From a pure heart we can truly see who God is. Free from the pollution of sin and selfishness we can know a God who goes out of his way to offer living water to the lonely heart.

Can I challenge you to ask Jesus to purify your heart so that you can see God? Good New God has a pure heart for you.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.  Matthew 5:11,12

When we read the Bible we often miss the profound, the earth shaking, the life changing events and statements.  Why?  Because we are on this side of things.  Sometimes to truly appreciate the weight of an event or statement it is important to look at the audience, the frame of reference and the timing.  The Sermon on the Mount is found very early in the book of Matthew.  Although we don’t know the exact timing of the various events, it does seem to infer that this teaching was near the beginning of Jesus ministry.  Why is that important?  Jesus was not well known yet.  Jesus had not been crucified for our sins.  Jesus had not resurrected from the dead.  Jesus had not fulfilled all of the prophecies about the Messiah.  

The crowd and the disciples were amazed by His teaching.  And while some may have believed He was the long awaited Messiah, in this verse, Jesus inserts the idea that knowing Him, believing in Him was the equivalent of righteousness.  Jesus presents Himself as the bridge to a right relationship with God.  This was a radical shift in the expectations of the people.  They were expecting the Messiah to come as a victorious King not a humble servant.  They were expecting power not humility.  They were expecting triumph not insults and persecution.  

Jesus goes on to say, “Rejoice and be glad.”  And then He pointed out that those who believed in Him would be persecuted just as the prophets had been.  And they would also reap a reward in heaven just as the prophets before them.  It is interesting to note that at the time of the prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah and others they were persecuted for speaking God’s truth.  But, in the time of Christ they were considered prophets of God and their writings were revered. Time established a different perspective.  Many of their prophecies were the basis for the expectations of the coming Messiah.  Although many thought that Jesus was a rogue or a false prophet.  On this side of things, we know that He was indeed the Messiah and our Savior.  

Imagine being a Jew during this time.  You follow the laws, you hear all the stories about the Messiah.  The anticipation of a victorious King coming to rescue your family and friends grows with each passing day.  And then you hear rumors of a man who is healing people.  And He is wandering around the country side teaching.  You go to hear Him teach.  He speaks of humility, mercy, and righteousness, all things that align with the teachings from the Holy writings.  And then, suddenly He inserts a relationship with Him as a path to righteousness.  He equates Himself with Adonai.  It would shake your world.

We are fortunate in many ways.  We have the luxury of seeing more of the story.  We have the advantage of knowing about His crucifixion.  We know He rose from the dead.  We have the privilege of the Holy Spirit living within us.  History also suggests that we will be insulted, falsely accused and persecuted because of our faith in Jesus.  Let us rejoice and be glad.  We have the advantage of history and the stories of the New Testament to encourage us.  We have the comfort and leading of the Holy Spirit.  We have the assurance that what God said, He will do.  We have more evidence of Jesus than any generation before us.  We have more evidence of the power of God than ever before.  His Word is true.  Rejoice and be glad.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 5:10

I am not a Biblical scholar.  I am simple a student of the Word.  And as I read the Word, I explore commentaries, dictionaries, articles, and sermons.  I also have conversations with members of my family, friends and fellow believers.  Most scholars say there are eight Beatitudes.  And it is generally accepted that Matthew 5:10-12 should all be considered together as one concept.  And I understand why.  I am not disagreeing with the scholars.  But, sometimes dissecting Scripture and considering it piece by piece contributes to a deeper understanding.  Based on that premise, I am choosing to look at the verses separately.

Many years ago a big sister and a little brother explored the world together.  Because the sister was almost three years older than her brother, she often led the dynamic duo in adventures that may or may not have been parent approved.  And to be honest, sometimes big sister knew the parents would not approve.  So, she would look little brother in the eye and say, “Don’t tell mom and dad.”  And what do you think would happen?  Yep, he would tell them.  Why?  Because it was the right thing to do.  He would tell the truth even when they both would get in trouble.  And, he would tell the truth even when he knew big sister would “persecute” him later for doing so.  Because it was the right thing to do.

The Beatitudes were the opening lines of the Sermon on the Mount.  And while they appear to be contradictions of reality.  The Jewish people understood the concept.  Consider their history.  They knew they were the chosen people.  They knew the one true God, the great I Am, had chosen them as His people.  And throughout history they had been persecuted because of their belief in God.  They still considered themselves blessed because they were chosen.  In the Torah, God gave the Hebrew people 613 laws to follow.  And the devout followed the laws, prayed the prayers daily, and observed the Holy days.  Why?  Because it was the right thing to do.  It was what God had instructed them to do.

We have been fortunate in America.  We have not experienced the level of persecution that many of our Christian brothers and sisters around the world have encountered.  Many have been thrown in prison, beaten, and even killed because of their determination to follow the Will of God.  They have suffered because to follow the commands of God is the right thing to do.  They have been persecuted for righteousness sake.  

Take a moment.  Think back.  When was the last time you were actually persecuted for righteousness?  Have you ever been?  Would you stand firm in the face of persecution, just because it is the right thing to do?

But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it?  But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.  1 Peter 2:20

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

“You can please some of the people all the time.  You can please all the people some of the time.  But, you cannot please all the people all the time.”  A quote I first remember hearing from my grandpa.  Now, if you are a person who believes everyone should live in peace, this is a tough reality.  And yet we are encouraged to be peacemakers.  Before we look at what a peacemaker is, let’s consider what it is not.  

Peacemaking is not avoiding conflict or appeasing multiple parties or sugar coating issues.  Peacemaking is not the absence of conflict.  As peacemakers we cannot simply put our heads in the sand and pretend everything is fine.  Notice it says peace-maker.  To be a true peacemaker we cannot simply hope for peace, wish for peace or dream of peace.  

I am a quilt maker.  I make quilts.  They do not magically appear when I close my eyes real tight and wish for them.  They don’t appear out of thin air.  And they are only a dream until I make them.  I have to gather the fabric, cut the fabric, sew the pieces in a pattern.  Add the batting and backing.  Quilt the whole piece and bind the edges.  I have to “do” something.  Peacemakers have to “do” something. Peacemakers pursue peace.  

Jesus, the Prince of Peace is the perfect example of a peacemaker.  What was His mission?  To provide mankind a way to be reconciled with God.  Peacemaking is leading people to reconciliation with God.  

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.  Colossians 1:19,20

But, it doesn’t stop there.  Peacemaking is also helping people reconcile with each other. 

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  Jesus replied. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22:36-40

You cannot hate a brother or sister in Christ and be at peace.  In fact, peace and hate do not exist in the same circle.  Consider this.  God is love.  God loves everyone.  He created all of us.  God loves us so much He sent Jesus.  Jesus loves us and gave His life so that we could know God, know love.  If we know God, we know love.  And if God loves everyone, it follows that we should also love others.  If we are in conflict with others because of anger or hate, can we be at peace?  Can we be a peacemaker?  

Peacemaking is not easy.  It will involve conflict.  So, how do we become peacemakers?

First, we must be at peace with God ourselves.  We cannot bring reconciliation with God, peace with God to others if we have not experienced ourselves.  It is crucial that we maintain a thriving relationship with the LORD.  Talk to Him.  Seek Him.  Seek His Will.  Know His teachings.  Know His Word.  Do not compromise the message of God to appease others.  Do not sugar coat God’s truth to keep from ruffling feathers.  Speak from a pure heart.  

There will be times people refuse the message of peace.  Make the offer, share God’s love and truth, do your part.  And then let God be responsible for the results.  

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written:  “It is mine to avenge, I will repay,” says the Lord.  On the contrary:  “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  

Romans 12:18-21

We are the children of God.  We are to be peacemakers.

Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.  Matthew 5:8

I was born on February 14.  The one day a year that is associated with hearts and love.  I remember my mom teaching me how to draw a heart as we sat in church.  Almost every birthday card I have ever received had a heart on it.  And I have to admit, I am drawn to almost anything that is heart shaped or has hearts on it.  So, in some ways it seems quite appropriate that of all the beatitudes I am most drawn to this particular one.  And in an odd sort of way, I think I should be good at this one.  Just as the paper hearts are not a picture of an actual physical heart.  Being born on Valentine’s Day does not mean I automatically have a pure heart.  In fact, it doesn’t even indicate a full understanding of what a pure heart looks like.  

So, let’s break it down.  What is the definition of pure?  Something that is pure is not mixed with unnecessary things.  Pure means something is free from contamination.  The Greek word used for pure in this verse is katharos, which means clean, blameless, unstained from guilt.  This word can refer specifically to something that is purified by fire or pruning.  John the Baptist referred to Jesus as one who baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.

I baptize you with water for repentance.  But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  Matthew 3:11

In John, Jesus refers to Himself as the vine and we are the branches.  

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”  John 15:1,2

Often the heart is associated with emotions.  And our mind is associated with intellect.  This idea caused me to pause.  We all know that our emotions, our feelings can be temporary, fleeting, fickle.  So if that is true, how can we be pure in heart?  The Hebrew people see the heart differently.  The heart is everything.  It is your personality, you emotions, your mind, your thoughts, your very being.  This understanding of the heart gives a clearer understanding of the concept “pure in heart.”  

When we put all of that together, “pure in heart” is living a life focused on Jesus.  A life that is constantly being refined and pruned.  And as a result, a life that will produce fruit.  So, how do we maintain a pure heart?  

A good man brings good things our of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.  For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.  Luke 6:45

In order to have a pure heart, a good heart, a heart full of Jesus we have to put good into the heart.  We have to allow Jesus to fill us completely.  We have to allow Jesus to prune away the unhealthy parts of our thinking, our behavior, our words.  We should be cautious about what we take into our minds, our thoughts.  What we put in, will fill the heart.  And what is in the heart will flow out in our words and our actions.  

One of my favorite television series is NCIS.  Now on the surface, it doesn’t seem so bad.  I mean, they always catch the bad guy.  But, if all I overload my mind with NCIS reruns and do not open the Word, or spend time in prayer, what happens?  Leroy Jethro Gibbs becomes my hero instead of Jesus, the one who died for me.  Think about it, how much of the show is actually focused on the good?  The last two minutes?  All of the rest of the time my mind is absorbing violence, anger, sadness.  Before anyone starts, I am not saying, “Televisions are evil, get rid of them.”  What I am saying is, “Don’t let anything become more important in your life than your relationship with the LORD.”  Anything that consumes your time and monopolizes your thoughts, this is what will fill your heart.  In order to be pure in heart, we have to put the things of God in our heart.  

So where does one start?  Start with a prayer.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a will spirit, to sustain me.  Psalm 51:10-12

Spend time in the Word of God.  Seek God in your prayers.  Speak to Him throughout your day.  What goes in…will come out.  

Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  Matthew 5:7

What is mercy?  In simplest terms, it is not receiving something you deserve.  But, mercy is so much more than that.  To understand mercy we can look at the definition.

Mercy – compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm; kind and forgiving treatment, kindness or help given to an unfortunate person.

While the dictionary definition helps us understand mercy.  To fully understand and appreciate mercy, we need only look at God’s example.  God created this world in all of its beauty.  Everything was perfect.  And then He place Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to care for it.  They had free rein of the entire garden.  The only thing they were instructed not to do?  Don’t eat of the two trees in the middle of the Garden.  We all know the story, the serpent encouraged Eve to eat.  And Eve encouraged Adam to eat.  And sin was introduced into the world.  At that moment God, the Creator of everything first shows His mercy.  Yes, they had to leave the Garden.  And yes they had consequences that would follow them and their offspring.  But, before God sent them out of the Garden, He clothed them.  

That was God’s first example of mercy.  Consider the Israelites in the wilderness.  How many times did they complain?  And yet, God still led them to the Promised Land.  And once in the Promised Land, how many times did they mess up and God forgave them?  How many prophets did God send to the Israelites to warn them that judgment was coming?  In God’s mercy He showed compassion for His people.  In His mercy He was patient and forgiving.  In His mercy He was kind.  

Consider Jesus and His ministry.  It was filled with mercy.  He was moved by compassion.  He acted in kindness.  He offered forgiveness.  And He was patient with the disciples and those around Him.  He made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could experience God’s mercy.  In fact, we see God’s mercy every day.  

Watch the news for a few minutes.  Look at the headlines.  Spend a few minutes on Facebook.  What do you see?  Sin is running rampant.  Acts of violence, unkind words, hate and turmoil are on every channel, in every headline.  And yet, God patiently waits.  He is waiting for others to accept His gift, His forgiveness, His mercy.  

And He shows me mercy every day on a personal level.  I love the LORD dearly.  But, I am flawed.  My intentions are usually good each morning.  I wake determined to let His light shine through me.  And then someone cuts me off on the way to work.  Or someone raises their voice in frustration.  Sometimes the LORD shines through me in these situations.  But, if I don’t keep my heart in the right place.  If I don’t keep my focus on Him, well I mess up.  God in His mercy gives me another day to do better.  God reminds me to share with them the mercy He gave me.  

What would happen if we all practiced mercy?  If we were compassionate and kind with those around us, how would the world change?  If we were patient and forgiving with those who are in a hurry or having a difficult time, would the world change?  

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the LORD require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.  Micah 6:8

The LORD has shown us mercy.  And we are to pass it on.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice/righteousness, for they will be filled.^[1]

What are you craving? Your appetite talks much about your health. A loss of one’s appetite can indicate an underlying problem in health. I tread lightly, but there are women while pregnant who crave dirt. Although they are not sure why some have speculated it might be due to an iron deficiency. Another suggests these cravings develop as an adaptive response to how the immune system changes during pregnancy.[2] So let me ask you, what are you hungry for?

Jesus looks at the blessings of people being hungry. If you have a healthy appetite, you are blessed.

Imagine if you were hosting a dinner party and guests to join you. You then work hard to prepare the dishes for each guest to enjoy. Then some of the guests show up and say they are not hungry because they stopped at McDonald’s on the way. There is a significant problem with the guest who has spoiled their appetite with junk food. I do not think the host would be happy with the person who shows up and has valued McDonald’s food more than a homecooked meal.

So, are you hungry? What are you hungry for?

Justice implies that a relationship between people is made right. We often think of righteousness in more personal terms. Sometimes our works of righteousness have more to do with individual behavior than its relational effects. We should be hungry for personal righteousness in which our relationship with God is made right through the grace only Jesus offers. We should also hunger for our relationships with others to be made right. I am challenged today to ask if my hunger for God encompasses a hunger to be a good neighbor. This is the hunger that God can fill.

Can I ask you again, what are you hungry for? And what does your appetite say about you?

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^[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), Mt 5:6.

[2] “Eating Dirt: Why People Do It, Dangers, and Purported Benefits,” Healthline, last modified August 20, 2019, accessed March 24, 2022, https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/eating-dirt.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Matthew 5:6

How would you define hunger?   Have you had to “fast” before a blood test?  No food after midnight and you can’t eat until after they draw your blood.  It is uncomfortable yet relatively easy if your appointment is at 8:30 in the morning.  But, what if your appointment is at 1:30 in the afternoon?  What if you are having a medical procedure and have to go twenty-four hours or more without food?  Then how would you define hunger?  

hunger – feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food coupled with desire to eat.

A simple desire to eat is not hunger.  Believe me, as a person who has a complicated relationship with food, I know.  Sometimes a desire to eat is just something to do.  Sometimes it is triggered by boredom.  Sometimes it is triggered by anxiety or sadness.  Sometimes it is used as a way to celebrate.  When hunger is defined simply a desire to eat, I tend to just snack a little here and a little there.  I end up eating things that are not healthy.  Or I graze on a wide variety of things.  And then when it is “time” to eat a healthy, well balanced meal.  I am not interested.

The definition of thirst is similar.

thirst – feeling of needing or wanting something to drink.

Simply wanting something to drink is easily satisfied with just about anything I can pour in a glass or cup.  But, when I need something to drink, when my body needs to be hydrated only water satisfies and replenishes.

Let’s look at the verse again, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…” This is more than a simple desire or want.  It is easy to say we desire righteousness.  Even the Pharisees had a desire to appear righteous.  But, Jesus is speaking of so much more than appearances.  Before I finish that thought, let’s define righteousness.

righteousness – to acquire, vindicate, restore to a right relationship with God and others

To hunger and thirst to be in right relationship with God, is a need that must be satisfied not simply a want or desire.  It is a drive within us that has to be met or we become weak and uncomfortable.  Think about this…the homeless people we often see on the side of the road with signs. What do the signs say?  They are usually asking for food or money to buy food.  They are so hungry that their entire day is consumed with the task of acquiring food.  Let that sink in.  Now read the verse again.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…”  What if I pursued righteousness with as much fervor as a homeless person pursues food?  What if restoring and maintaining a right relationship with God was so vital to my existence that I become uncomfortable and weak when I turn my attention to something else?  Well, isn’t that exactly what happens when we don’t spend time with the LORD?  We become weak and uncomfortable.  And when we are not maintaining a right relationship with God, we cannot fully maintain a right relationship with others.  And when we do hunger and thirst for righteousness.  When we pursue a right relationship with God, we will be filled, not just appeased, not just satisfied, but filled.  

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

When you hear the word meek, what kind of person do you imagine?  In the world today, the meek are often portrayed as weak, doormat type personalities.  The aggressive and assertive are portrayed as strong and dominant.  But, meek is not cowardly.  Meek is gentle.  Meek is humble.  But meek is not weak.  

Consider Moses in the Old Testament.  Do you picture him as weak and powerless?  This is the man who went toe to toe with Pharaoh.  This is the man who led the whiny Israelites through the wilderness for forty years.  This is the man who raised his staff and the Red Sea parted.  

Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.  Numbers 12:3

Moses did not lack courage.  In fact, he often advocated for the Israelites in the Presence of God.  When God told Moses that He would send an angel with them to the Promised Land.  Moses said, “Not unless you go with us.”  Moses, the meekest man in the Old Testament, was strong and courageous.  

Consider Jesus.  Do you picture Him as weak and powerless?  I don’t.  He is the Son of God and came to change the world.  

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.  Matthew 11:28-30 KJV

So what is meek? Meek is power under control.  Meek is seeing yourself as a servant of God.  Moses knew the power was not within himself.  He knew that everything was in God’s control and his place, his responsibility was to serve God.  Moses also put the needs of all of the Israelites ahead of his own.  He stood in the gap between God and the people of Israel.

Jesus, without question the most powerful man to walk the earth.  He was fully God and fully man.  He had the power to control everything.  But, He chose to be a servant to all of mankind, even those who crucified Him.  He put the needs of sinners ahead of His own.  He humbly and willingly followed the will of His Father.  He knew He was the only one who could fulfill the promises of God.  

God has given each of us gifts and talents.  And it is ok to acknowledge your strengths.  But, we should also remember that those gifts, those talents, those strengths are from God.  And our place is to remain humble before the LORD.  Our mission is to maintain a servant’s heart and offer our strengths, our talents to the LORD.  Our purpose is to glorify Him.