MAKARIZO ̄ (μακαρίζω, ), from a root mak—, meaning large, lengthy, found also in makros, long, me ̄ kos, length, hence denotes to pronounce happy, blessed, See Happy. Vine's Expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words (Page 133). Old Tappan NJ: Revell.

blessed ; blessing from Old English ble ̄ tsian, from blo ̄ d blood; from the use of blood in consecration] (before 12th century) 1 : to hallow or consecrate by religious rite or word 2 : to hallow with the sign of the cross 3 : to invoke divine care for 〈 bless your heart 〉 4 a : praise, glorify 〈 bless his holy name 〉 b : to speak well of : approve 5 : to confer prosperity or happiness upon Merriam-Webster, I. (1996, c1993). Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary. Includes index. (10th ed.). Springfield, Mass., U.S.A.: Merriam-Webster.

…to confer prosperity or happiness upon Realized expectations 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth

To hope is to expect that good things will come to us – ultimately that God will deliver on His promises

Hope --- Joy C.S. Lewis "Joy is the serious business of heaven," William Frey, "Then hope must be the serious business of the church. One of the greatest gifts Christians can offer the world is a fresh infusion of hope. Our society's supply is running very low."

Dante, in The Inferno, tells us that the sign above the gates of hell says, "Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.“ Eric Fromm says that the "person who has given up hope.. Has entered the gates of hell, whether he knows it or not, and has left behind him his own humanity."

“Hope is the conviction that things - the things that, in the final analysis, matter the most -will someday be better. It's "the melody of the future.“ Wm. Frey

Paul Simon: "The hope that things could be better is written indelibly into our hearts and bones."

Jesus said, “My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” John 10:10a

Beatitudes: Instruct us in living a life that produces and sustains hope

Its all about offering to His followers something to hope for and an assurance that ‘life’ isn’t winning the war that is being waged around us.

Beatitudes: To experience hope: To experience hope: Reinterpret your circumstances Change your attributes Adjust your attitudes Accept your place

Reinterpret the circumstances and situations of your life! Vs 3 God blesses those who realize their need for him, Vs 4 God blesses those who mourn,

Reinterpret the circumstances and situations of your life! To realize a need for him is: To recognize our ignorance and impotence To recognize His wisdom and power To recognize his desire and willingness to recreate us To expect his involvement in the process

Reinterpret the circumstances and situations of your life! Vs 3 God blesses those who realize their need for him, Vs 4 God blesses those who mourn,

Reinterpret the circumstances and situations of your life! To mourn is: To know there is something better than what we’re seeing or experiencing To feel the reality of this fallen world To experience the loss of ‘the garden’ To experience the inevitable results of sin

Reinterpret the circumstances and situations of your life! “God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Living within the blessing is to learn to appreciate what’s going on – even what’s happening to us

"No circumstances, internal or external, personal or environmental, will be permitted to define who and what I am, nor will they have the last word about what I may become." William Frey

"The Sadducees knew the words but they hadn't heard the music" - William Frey