When we receive Christ (think of the example of Mary), we receive seeds of potential. We are given rewards for nurturing and bringing forth fruit. We are given "the power to become..." Jesus said, "Who is my mother? . . . whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Remember Job? Relax. Troubles give us the opportunity to become the person we need to be.

Ezekiel 18:20-24 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

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Chapter 19: The Sermon on the Mount - Beatitudes (Part 4)

THE FAME of Jesus spread so widely that great numbers came to see him from all over the countryside. Seeing the multitudes, Jesus went up into a mountain. There he sat down; and when his disciples came to him, he taught them, saying:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

Matthew 5:1-48, 6:1-34, 7:1-29