It's time to head back to school! No matter your stage of life, it's never too late to learn - and the wisest among us are always learning. Some of Jesus' greatest knowledge for life comes from his mountain-side teaching points we commonly call "The Beatitudes." Many of his lessons are blunt and may make us uncomfortable; but if they are applied, will help us succeed in life - the most important thing we will ever manage.  In this series you will learn how to overcome the things that would hold you back, how to repair relationship, and how to live with satisfaction and joy.

God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble,
    for they will inherit the whole earth.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
    for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace,
    for they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Matthew 5:3-11

“Wholehearted” Jesus said in Matthew 5:8, “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.” Being pure in heart means getting what’s on the inside of me on the outside of me. It means I am whole-hearted; I have integrity, I am what I appear to be.

The Housecleaning Choice

Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.  
1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV) 

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

INTEGRITY: wholeness, authenticity, unmixed motives

How will I see God when I have integrity? 

 1. I will have personal confidence.

People with integrity have a firm footing, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.
Proverbs 10:9 

The integrity of the honest keeps them on track.
Proverbs 11:3

2. I will have a lasting legacy.

A righteous person lives on the basis of his integrity. Blessed are his children after he is gone.  
Proverbs 20:7 (GW)

If you pray to God and seek the favor of the Almighty, if you are pure and live with complete integrity, God will rise up and restore your happy home. And though you started with little, you will end with much.
Job 8:5-7

3. I will have rewards in eternity.

Well done! You are a good and trusted servant! Because you were faithful with small things, I’ll now put you in charge of much greater things. Come and share your Master’s happiness! 
Matthew 25:21

Lord, who may stay in your sanctuary and live on your holy mountain? The one who WALKS WITH INTEGRITY - he speaks the truth from his heart. He refuses to slander others with his tongue, won’t listen to gossip, and will not cast a slur on his fellowman…(instead) he honors those who fear the Lord, and keeps his promises even when it hurts. He lends his money freely without charging interest and cannot be bribed by money. Whoever does these things will never be shaken! 
Psalm 15:1-5 

How do I work with God to build my integrity?

1.I will keep my promises.

People who promise things they never give are like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
Proverbs 25:14

2.I will pay my bills.

The wicked man borrows and never pays back… 
Psalm 37:21

…the authorities are working for God…Pay what you owe them; pay your personal and property taxes… Romans 13:6-7 (TEV)

3.I will refuse to gossip.

A gossip can’t be trusted with a secret, but someone of integrity won’t violate a confidence.
Proverbs 11:13 

4. I will faithfully tithe. 

Is it right for a person to cheat God? Of course not! “Yet you are robbing me,” says the Lord. “How?”, you ask. “By withholding your full tithe and offerings…Bring to me the full amount of your tithe to my House…Put me to the test and you’ll see that I will open the windows of heaven and pour out so much blessing on you that you won’t have enough room to receive it all!” 
Malachi 3:8-10 

5. I will do my best at work.

Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 
Colossians 3:23

6. I will be real with others.

We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open…
II Corinthians 4:2 

7. I will stay in the Word.

How can I keep my way pure? By living according to your Word. 
Psalms 119:9

BOTTOM LINE: I need to be what I appear to be - the same on the inside as the outside.

NEXT STEPS:
1) Pray the prayer every day.
2) Evaluate your life for inconsistencies.
3) Work with God this week to close the gap between your public and private self.