Beatitudes for Women

I recently got a new Bible. It's a NKJV Women's Study Bible. I'm not sure how I feel about the Bible as a whole yet, but I am intrigued by a few things in it.

One thing is a chart they have with "Beatitudes for Women" in it. I'm not sure how the description would differ from those for men, but okay, here it is.

Blessed are...those who are poor in spirit (Matt 5:3)
Character quality: Humility
Description: Stripped of pride and sensitive to God's ministry in their behalf
References: Is 61:1, Luke 4:16-21; 7:22

Blessed are...those who mourn (Matt 5:4)
Character quality: Sensitivity
Description: Responsive to personal sinfulness and tender-hearted toward one another
References: Is 61:2, Eccl 3:1-8, Luke 19:41, John 11:33,35

Blessed are...those who are meek (Matt 5:5)
Character quality: Meekness
Description: Demonstration of self-control and submission
References: Matt 6:33, 1 Pet 3:1-7

Blessed are...those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt 5:6)
Character quality: Obedience
Description: Desire to hear and do the will of God
References: Luke 1:53

Blessed are...those who are merciful (Matt 5:7)
Character quality: Compassion
Description: Outworking of faith to meet the needs of others
References: Luke 1:58

Blessed are...those who are pure in heart (Matt 5:8)
Character quality: Holiness
Description: Lifestyle of set-apartness, including thoughts and actions
References: Ps 24:4-6

Blessed are...those who are peacemakers (Matt 5:9)
Character quality: Reconciliation
Description: Forbearance instead of retaliation; forgivness of wrongs; restoration of fellowship
References: Rom 3:25, Rom 12:18, Eph 4:32, Phil 1:3-5, Titus 3:2, 1 John 1:7

Blessed are...those who are persecuted for righteousness; sake (Matt 5:10)
Character quality: Commitment
Description: Steadfast loyalty that cannot be broken
References: Luke 13:35, 2 Thess 2:15-17, 2 Tim 2:3

Blessed are...those who are reviled and persecuted (Matt 5:11)
Character quality: Patience
Description: Willingness to endure suffering
References: 1 Pet 2:19-21, 1 Pet 3:14, Rev 12:11

Are these things that you see in your life? In other Christian's lives around you? I see some of these in my life, but certainly not to the extent that they should be. Guess that's something that I need to work on.

Blessings in Christ,

Christian Virtues

Christian Virtues are are character qualities which are associated with salvation.

The seven character qualities mentioned in Colossians which all Christians should display include:
1. Bowels of mercy (heartfelt compassion)
2. Kindness
3. Humbleness of mind
4. Meekness
5. Long-suffering
6. Forbearing and forgiving one another
7. Charity (love)

Colossians 3:12-17
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

If I remember correctly, there are more than seven Christian Virtues listed throughout the Bible, but I could be mistaken.

In verse 12, when Paul write "Put on..." it implies that none of us have actually reached there spiritually yet. We should all strive to display these character qualities, knowing full well that it will be something that we need to continue to work on. I know I have to work on each of these. I'm not going to learn these overnight, it will take time, but I know with work and God's help, I will get to a point where I display these most of the time. Knowing that I am human, I know I will not display these all the time, but I believe in the statement "God knows my heart" as some of you may have noticed :)

Blessings in Christ,