Thank you. Have a day of Good. Blessings are all around, giving answers, filling ours needs before we ask. Divine Love is our guide.

Thank you for the inspiration.
In Webster's, another meaning for POOR is "humble, unpretentious". Perhaps subsituting one of these definitions, as in "Blessed are the humble in sprit" makes the Christ message even more clear. Humility and unpretentiousness are woven like a golden thread into all of Jesus' teachings.

The poor in spirit are those who realize their great need for God’s grace and desire this more than anything in their lives.
This is the only real need.
We are His image by divine decree, Genesis 1:26, 27.
We already have this grace, all we need is to recognize it, to live God’s qualities.
We live in the blessing of the Kingdom of God.
ESPAÑOL
Los pobres de espíritu son aquellos que se dan cuenta de su gran necesidad tener la gracia de Dios y la desean más que nada en el sus vidas.
Esta es la única necesidad verdadera.
Somos Su imagen por decreto divino. Genesis 1:26, 27.
Ya tenemos esta gracia, lo único que necesitamos es reconocerlo, vivir las cualidades de Dios.
Vivimos en la bendición del Reino de Dios.

Dear Suzanne, How beautiful. Your thoughts — straight from God — speak to our hearts and remind us of our great and only need — to identify and understand ourselves as completely spiritual through oneness with our Creator — as expressions of the one Mind — and reaping the blessings that oneness brings. Thank you so much for your deep spiritual insight and understanding. Lots of love to you.

Thank you so much for having a study of the Beatitudes. The previous Lifts devoted to the ten Commandments were so inspiring so I am sure we will get a lot out of these next ones. It is wonderful to think of Jesus' church being outside in the fresh air with the natural sounds around him as he encouraged people to think deeply and feel the Kingdom of God. The music accompanying this Lift was perfect for setting this atmosphere.

Dear Suzanne,

Thank you for this Lift. The music lent so much to the Lift, which was already filled with peaceful substance.

I have often thought about the importance of that specific word "poor". When you think of it two words contrast strikingly with one another "poor" and "spirit". I often pondered the passage from Psalms 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart,.." The unfortunate thing is that many feel we need to be sad or to at least have that lowly demeanor to be Christian.

I have come to understand that the poor in Spirit as Nancy (#2) said are usually humble. Added to that is what happens when we are humble, or feel "poor". We search, we listen, we obey, we are creative, we are dedicated, we have a vision because we are looking ahead

Sometimes I see being poor in spirit as recognizing how much of God there is especially compared to what error says about man. We individually have our work cut out for us to feel more of this goodness. This poverty, therefore, does not mean that we have to have a sad demeanor or feel a sense of lack.

We can feel joy instantaneously when we recognize the oneness we always have with God; we must however listen, obey and silence the falsity of matter. We seldom have all of the material wealth to do what we want, but we always have what we need, to do what we are supposed to do

The vastness of God, is part of our Individuality, our heritage & our spiritual richness. Thanks

Thanks, Suzanne - and Nancy #2: the NT Greek word ptōchos is translated as 'poor' in the sense of lowly or destitute, needy, reduced to begging. If you go back to the verb, ptosso, from which the adjective is said to derive, it is translated 'I crouch' or 'cower' and is thought to be related to ptoeō, 'I am terrified.' So the Greek word that was used in the first place to translate what Jesus actually said, appears to have the sense of 'begging' and/or 'being in extreme need of...' Dreadful need perhaps? And we are told that those of us who are begging, in that dreadful need, are blessed with the kingdom of heaven.....

PS. to my previous comment at #7: we are blessed with the kingdom of heaven when we KNOW we are in that dreadful need?

Acknowledging our need for God's grace and living God's qualities

Appropriate for this day - Mary Baker Eddy's birthday

Thank you, Suzanne. You've extended this Beatitude for me. For years, I didn't understand Jesus' choice of words, Long after finding Christian Science, I realized this was a precious promise of hope, summarizing the other Beatitudes, which go in depth into specifics, including those who demonstrate higher qualities, such as purity, peacemaking, & mercifulness. At some time, many feel they are like lost souls, not understanding enough of God, not living up to what they do understand, etc. Jesus lifts every wretched thought up to show that no matter how separated we feel from divine God, it isn't what is true of us. We are so precious to God, that the Kingdom of Heaven is ours to live in, beginning already! He parallels the teachings of Mrs. Eddy who discovered we are not sinning mortals, but perfect ideas of God. Jesus is declaring what we call Divine Science, or Christian Science. He's saying for us to quit feeling sorry for ourselves, quit being sad, quit fear & worry, or feeling ignorant. Quit thinking of ourselves as sinful, cursed mortals, for instead, we are blessed spiritual beings, divine Mind's ideas dwelling in the kingdom of heaven, and instead of being poor about such knowledge, we are rich already, so wake up to this. Today's Lift explains ways to awake and live the truth of our being. Living in the Kingdom means we are not ignorant, but have knowledge and understanding of our place in Divine Mind. All people LIVE and KNOW in the Kingdom. #2 Nancy, perfect!

7. Final offering from the NT Greek here: the 'spirit' of which there is such dreadful need, is, as many of you will know, 'pneuma' - often translated 'soul'.

Thank you, It is great to receive a better understanding of the Beatitudes.

Many thanks Suzanne for this great reminder. Yes. "We find our life blest in proportion to how much we live God's qualities. We see more of God [Love] in everything." "I look to Thee in every need,/ And never look in vain;/ I feel Thy touch, eternal Love,/ And all is well again:" (Christian Science Hymnal #134).

This was a more complete explanation of this beatitude than I have known before. Thank you. What unlimited Love is all around!

This is going to be quite a wonderful two weeks!! Thank you, Suzanne!!!

To see God in everything is the blessing and reminds me of a bumper sticker I saw recently that read:
NO GOD, NO PEACE
KNOW GOD, KNOW PEACE
Thank you Suzanne for this early morning direction and focus for the day.

In order to fill a container it must first be emptied. Our humanness "earthen vessels" must be emptied of error, so we can approach what Mrs. Eddy called "perfect humanhood". This emptiness or poverty of spirit liberates us from "baggage", so we are no longer "full of ourselves". We can "travel light", even "soar and sing" together under those "shelt'ring wings "neath which our spirits blend". We "lose" the false so-called self, and have room to welcome the infinite sense of who we have been since the morning stars sang together. Poverty implies simplicity and joy even amid minimal conveniences, like that of children who in spite of spare surroundings, have been amply loved, and can withhold neither their laughter nor their resourcefulness.

Thank you so much; absolutely beautiful....appreciate others comments as well. I love substituting "humble" for "poor".

Wow! Thank you for this explanation of this Beatitude and for all the commentors. I understand it better than ever before.

I loved the music and the message and look forward to more on the Beatitudes. Thanks for all of the comments and especially #2 clarifying poor as humble and unpretentious. I also like to think of poor as recognizing a need for more of something. I need more Spirit and more spirituality in my thoughts and life.

Gracias a Dios que tenemos la humildad de reconocernos como pobres de Espirito.

Gracias por esta revelacion!!!

Suzanne, you always have great Lifts. I think "poor in spirit" means leaving the ME FIRST t shirt at home. It's sometimes a real effort to just be still and listen to what God would like us to do and say, But in the long term, it's probably better for everyone if we just take it more quietly, and we'll still have room for the words of gratitude of others and for our testimony, . ,
Thank you Nate and the team - a great choice this week; Thanks to the BoL and lecturers; and thanks also to the Daily Lift Comment family.

Great explanation , Thank you very much! :-)

Puede parecer contraditorio, "Bienaventurados los pobres en espíritu, porque si en algo, y unicamente somos ricos es el espíritu, bienaventurados los que son ricos para Dios y pobres muy pobres para lo humano, que no buscan bienes materiales ni logros materiales, para la humanidad en su momento el Mesías el mejor Ser que andubo por la tierra haciendo bienes, parece que no porque fue tratado como un criminal ya que solo a ellos se colgaban en la cruz, ¿y porqué? porque amo de tal manera que no escatimó entrega en ese Amor que va más allá de lo que podemos comprender de tan inmenzo que Es, porque denunció al error y lo atacó en todas sus arteras manifestaciones aún en aquellas que nos negamos a aceptar, obviamente sin darnos cuenta porque aún las consideramos trascendentes son las que aún nos aferran a un sentido erroneo que nos impide una total espiritualidad, la renuncia a toda manifestación humana todas, absolutamente TODAS, porque el mundo material está estructurado para confundir, y mantenernos dormidos y a la Biblia y Ciencia y Cristiana me remito para afirmarlo.

Bienaventurados porque en humildad y sumisión nos enrriquesemos..

Muchas gracias Suzanne, es un gusto poder compartir cada día con el Daily Lift las maravillas que nuestro Padre-Madre tiene para nosotros.

Thank you Suzanne.

Thank you Suzanne.

We find our life in Life, our love in Love, our truth in Truth -- the kingdom of heaven with us now. Thank you, Suzanne for this lovely Lift to start our day.

Thank you Suzanne. Like #9 I agree we need to acknowledge our need for God's grace in order to come to a greater understanding that it is ever available to each and every one of us. Each Beatitude begins with the words "Blessed are" - a reminder of the present availability of God's goodness, no need to wait for some future time to receive the blessings and no prior conditions to be met!

Thanks for this lift, Suzanne, Nate, and all the Daily Lift providers.

I've sometimes wondered if the transcribers of the Bible might not have misplaced a piece of punctuation in this Beatitude. By moving that little comma over a bit it reads: "Blessed are the poor (humble); in Spirit they are the children of God."

I so love it that the Beatitudes are now the topics of the daily lifts. What a wonderful idea! Suzanne, your spiritual grasp of this first beatitude is so inspiring. And thank you Nancy #2 for your definitions of "poor" that make so much more sense from a spiritual perspective. The only way I could ever understand this beatitude was through the concept of humility. A humble person puts mortal self aside and opens up to have more of God's blessings through spiritual understanding. Of course because we are made in God's image, our spirituality is richer than we can ever begin to imagine. Interesting #7 Perpetual student to know the Greek translation. Of course, Jesus did not deliver the sermon on the mount in Greek and sometimes better interpretations get lost in the translation. Not all languages contain words that carry the exact same meaning. For lack of a word to convey the idea, sometimes the full original meaning is lost. Or through a word with multiple meanings and people choosing the wrong definition, an original idea can be altered. Mrs. Eddy emphasized the importance of grasping the Bible's spiritual meaning and this lift has done that so beautifully -- bringing the kingdom of heaven straight into our hearts. Thank you so much for this wonderful lift and all the good ideas contributed by the lifters.

Very very helpful this morning! Thank you so much!

What a wonderful Lift Suzanne. So many interpret 'poor' as lacking money, and possessions, but your attitude or thinking is what makes you poor. When we are humble and turn to God for our good we experience the joy, love, well-being...the kingdom of heaven...that is ours. This Beatitude really comes to life in this Lift. What a wonderful way to start the week clothed in the richness of God's great love.
Many thanks for all who bring us these gems of inspiration and the commentators who share their ideas which are so helpful and loving.

I love that thought that we are "poor in spirit" when we eternally acknowledge our need for God's grace on an ongoing basis--that "Progress is the law of God" as a part of the "infinite cycles of divine light," as Mary Baker Eddy notes in different places in her textbook, SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES.

Thank you, Suzanne for this wonderful reminder. And thanks also to the whole DL team and Salt & Light for the music!

I just imagine the setting for these teachings. There were multitudes of people who were seeking something (humbly looking or even just curiously looking, some poor in spirit) and Jesus steps aside, prepares, and then presents his disciples with a whole list of things which they should absolutely understand!

Interestingly, FIRST on the list – he assures them that even those who are not sure about their spirituality already possess the kingdom of heaven. Here was fact #1 for his disciples to know. What a class he was giving!

I am sharpening my pencil for this week! Thank you, Suzanne.

Hey Margaret #22, LOL. Me First T shirt! Nate, love the wake up flute music.

Thank you, Suzanne.
How very precious and perfect to understand our need of Spirit.

Good Morning Suzanne - Thank you very much for this basic insight. It's not complicated to realize that

one just has to keep the faucet (of Christ's Love) turned on during his daily walk - & wow!

With love to you/jim.

Thank you.

.. in practicing humbling oneself is a sure way of lifting up to our Creator's design.
Thank you dear Suzanne for beautifully supplying this reminder.

Can one tell, what music excerpt accompanies the opening of such powerful message?
Is it recorded and made available or freshly executed ?
Thank you !

Thank you -- wonderful! N.B. though, re: the comment by #9 -- Mary Baker Eddy was adamant about not keeping track of "birthdays", which according to her teaching, if acknowledged, automatically assert the reality of a "death day". And she made it clear, at least once in print, that she did not have one. Nor do any of the rest of us, of course.

Thank you for first pointing out that poor does not refer to a bank account, as if there were a period after the word "poor". No one really wants to be poor.
It does take meekness and humility to recognize spiritual poverty - our need for more spiritual growth.

This beatitude finds an appropriate echo in Science and Health:
"What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire
for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness,
love, and good deeds. (Efficacious petitions)" pg. 4.

"Growth in Grace". Wow! I've always wanted to get a better feel for this beatitude! Thank you!

As I listened to Suzanne's lovely lift and read the inspiring comments below it, I felt sure I would run across the two words Mary Baker Eddy uses to describe the poor in spirit: "receptive thought" (see p. 34 of Science and Health). She also refers a lot to the "receptive heart." Yes, receptive is similar to humble, humility, seeking, knowing one's need for God. But it's even more than those concepts, to me, because it says the thought, the heart, is ready right now to RECEIVE God's Word. I'm sure we all long to be more consistently, more regularly, "poor in spirit."

To be "Poor in Spirit" reflects, as far as I understand it, Mary Baker Eddy's meaning when she wrote in Miscellanious Writings; "God gives you his spiritual ideas and in turn they give you daily supplies" and she goes on to say that if you wait, you'll have all you need every moment. It's like what Jesus mentions in the Bible by seeking God first, being humble to God, leaning not to one's understanding but seek God.

A precious thought to begin a perfect day!

Thank you Suzanne for this great elaboration of the be-attitude. And thank you Ben,for the lovely music. I look forward to your accompaniment to all the other Beatitudes in the coming days.

II think "first to fight" still belongs to the official motto of the U.S. Marines.
The Christ has always been here, and Jesus came to rescue men from the illusion that man is a sinner and needs a Saviour. (Unty of Good, by Mary Baker Eddy, pages 59 and 60.) "Mortals are free moral agents, to choose whom they would they would serve. If God, then let them serve Him, and He will be unto them All-in-all."

Thanks, Suzanne, for "Poor in spirit...those who look into the heart and realize their great need for God's, Divine Love's grace...having the capacity to respond to His governing grace..." When I was a child, I thought that "poor in spirit" only referred to people, who were sad, depressed, feeling hopeless, or helpless and that these words are a reassurance that God will heal their hearts and cheer their circumstance. Now I have a new perspective. "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 5:3). I love that we already have "the capacity." It needs to be acknowledged, accepted, and applied to whatever the circumstance. Key is that whatever the circumstance, we yield the human (limited by its very nature) to the Divine (infinite possibilities). In that yielding, we are in obedience to (at least) the First Commandment, poised to receive guidance and protection.

What an inspired idea to explore the Beattitudes (the be attitudes). When we think of the entire Sermon on the Mount as Jesus explanation of God's law, we can put our lives more fully in line with expressing the Christ. An inspired thinker explained humility as being willing to be tamed by God. Thanks to each commenter for expanding this thought. As #22 stated, "leaving the ME FIRST T-shirt at home" or just tossing it in the trash!!! Then we can respond to the only EGO ~ God, good! Looking forward to this entire series ~ so helpful!!
Thanks for adding reference to hearing more of the wonderful music!

Thanks you. I love #29's comment....I've never read that Beatitude that way...Blessed are the poor; in Spirit they are the children of God....sheds a whole new light on it.

Thank you Suzanne for your uplifting words and thank you to the entire Lift Team for the privilege over the next two weeks to hear daily the Beautitudes inspirational messages, followed by those of the Ten Commandements. Divine Mind has directed you Nate T and all to bring to the people enlightenment that they need to hear. I will eagerly and with much anticipation crawl out of bed every morning and joyfully hear those precious divine Lifts accompanied by peaceful sounds from Ben and Ashton.

Think of it! Everyone on that hillside could have earned a "Me First" t-shirt...that is, "me first" to hear the Sermon on the Mount, hearing for the first time the words of the Master Christian--getting the good stuff. But even when you feel like you're coming in last, there's a place for you on the hillside. There's room for everyone.

I'm picturing all of us there! The gospel tent is spreading...

I look forward to this week's focus on the Beatitudes. We discuss them in our Sunday School class, ages 3-7, as our Leader directed. It's easy to find Bible stories which connect with each beatitude. From there we talk about how we can use and apply those experiences in our day to day activities.

Thank you so much, Suzanne, for today's great Daily Lift. Thank you, Nate, for the link to 'Called to Music'. I found the Daily Lifts about the Ten Commandments so helpful, and I know that these two weeks on The Beatitudes will be too.

The comments each day from the 'Lifters' always give additional food for thought. Thanks to everyone.

Thank you. Great lift and great comments. I will be back to finish reading and to listen again!
Beautiful day to all!

Thanks, Suzanne, for a wonderful start to this week! I'm learning to rely moment by moment on the power of having the humility to turn to God in every instance, rather than humanly trying to think or work things out. The idea of the poor in spirit being humble enough to ask God for help, for more grace, light or Truth, results instantly in realizing that right now we are living in the kingdom of God now, where all true reality and healing resides. And that is to be rich!

Thank Suzanne. .
I look forward to all of the Beatitudes in this series.
And it is nice to have the musical Beatitude as an exclamation mark on each of them.

Suzanne, thank you so much for this beautiful lesson on being "poor" in spirit. I'm so grateful that the next two weeks will be covering the Beatitudes. Looking forword to a world of new inspiration just as the Ten Commandments provided a few weeks ago. Thank you also to #2 and #20 for your inspiration.
The message today is just what I needed this morning.
Love to all.

I do love this Daily Lift page - the Lifts and the comments that inspire and provoke my thought. Thanks to all sharing in this online "Inspired Worldwide Church - Alive!" (That's what this is to me. :-) Some thoughts to share: The subject of “birthdays” came up somewhere here today. I didn't even know this was Mrs. Eddy's birthday. I've been thinking about her a lot over these past months and how she consecrated her life, especially during the latter years, so that I / we might have the Comforter, Christian Science. ‘“Our Master said, ‘…the Comforter . . . shall teach you all things.’ When the Science of Christianity appears, it will lead you into all truth. The Sermon on the Mount is the essence of this Science, and the eternal life, not the death of Jesus, is its outcome” (Science and Health, 271). What an appropriate day to shout out in Mrs. Eddy’s memory, with deep gratitude. I totally agree that it's limiting to count numbers of years on this earth. But I’m all for celebrating Life and appreciating all of God’s children, for our just being – being in the Truth of being! I’ve re-defined what the world calls “Birthday” into “Appreciation Day(s).” I’m encouraged by, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). I don’t care about “how-many-years-old” the calendar says about any of us. I just don’t want to miss an opportunity to celebrate Life and us in it. Thanks to Mrs. Eddy for Christian Science!

Thank you for this prayerful Lift reminding us of our great need for God. Living the Beatitudes in daily life truly brings us "in the blessing of the kingdom of God." I have listened to this Lift several times. The reverent tone and thoughtful delivery touches both heart and mind.

I am very grateful for this section on the beatitudes. I have been striving to understand it better. This first one by Suzanne kicked in right away with clearer understanding. I will follow it all. Thank you Suzanne and the whole Daily Lift Team.

Being poor in spirit reminds me of the Bible verse from Galatians which is full of humility.
Gal. 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

I'm so grateful when I really know my need for God's grace. It helps me reach out with my heart to feel divine Love's presence. Those are the very best moments.

Thanks so much, Suzanne!

Thanks a lot Suzanne for the nice lift.

Thank you for beautiful and powerful lift today.
The music: Spectacular. Ben and his group should be hired to sing soloist at First Church.

Merci Suzanne ! Je pense qu'être "pauvre en esprit" signifie aussi que nous devons faire taire notre mental humain, le vider de toutes ses idées erronées,et de tous ses conditionnements, afin de laisser toute la place à Dieu, à l'Esprit divin, pour qu'Il puisse agir en nous, nous remplir, nous gouverner, nous apporter l'harmonie. Nous devons perdre notre égo humain pour laisser toute la place à l'Ego divin. Ainsi, nous trouvons le Royaume de Dieu, en nous dépouillant du 'vieil homme' pour revêtir 'l'homme nouveau' et en reflétant les qualités de Dieu dans une totale humilité. Tendresse, amour et bénédictions pour toute 'ma' merveilleuse famille spirituelle CS ! Un bonjour particulier à JS in Kentucky, Mandy Solk et Kathleen qui, je l'espère, ont retrouvé le moral.

Thank you for making the strong connection between the "be attitudes" and living our spiritual qualities. This is such a helpful Lift!

So many of the comments here expand the meaning of poor in spirit beyond what a minute and a half can do. The spiritual qualities that help us acknowledge our need for God's grace were so beautifully set out by many of the Lifters today. This is such a rich community of thinkers ---- poor in spirit, or knowing their need for God, and hearing His messages of grace to meet all needs. So much gratitude to each of you.

Thanks, Suzanne!
I love new insights into the Beatitudes!

Wow! This is so enlightening for me as I never considered that "poor in spirit" refers to those seeking Truth. I love this. And of course the promise is the kingdom of heaven. And I love what you said Suzanne about the blessing being in proportion to the lliving of God"s qualities. How profound.
Thank you so much for this very helpful lift.
And the music was wonderful too.

Thank you Susanne, so helpfull .....Christine R, France

Aah - the poor in Spirit go to their heavenly Father/Mother in their daily hunger - and they are fed with the daily 'manna' - they are filled - fitted - with the divine grace. Hmm; blessed indeed!

The "poor in spirit " in one Bible-translation comes out as "those who no more want to know things other than through God". Yes, poor in error and rich in Truth! Thank you so much, Suzanne.
Thank you to all the Daily Lift producers who so lovingly help to put into practice Christian Science in daily life!

Lovely.... thank you!

Beautiful thoughts. Thank you. Oh to see more of God in all mankind. I will work on this.
Ann Botts, Banning, CA

Thank you Suzanne for starting off the week with the First of the Beatitudes. I was hoping this series would be presented after the wonderful two weeks on the Ten Commandmants which was so thought provoking. The thought came to me that all of us are "poor in spirit" in some way or another, and as we turn our thought to God, answers come as ideas, which speak to us and open our thinking to see more of our spiritual qualities. Every humbling thought can be used in our daily life and as we become more God like, we see our way out of the darkness of fear, gloom, lack, pain, whatever it calls itself and healing happens. We can count on this as it is a PROMISE from God and again by His Beloved Son, Jesus. From Psalms 133, verse 3......the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. I also love that each Beatitude begins with "Blessed are", indicating we already possess the Blessing. Heartfelt thanks to EVERYONE involved in bringing the Daily Lift to us each week day and much love to allllll the commenters!!!
"Pura Vida",
Caydee

P.S. from caydee....meant to thank Josh Niles from last Friday's Lift for the phrase "Pura Vida" which means pure life.....I am using it a lot and was even greated by this saying from one of my church friends last Sunday as she is also a "Daily Lifter". Thanks again, caydee

Yes, the 'poor,' the "receptive heart," and as it says in Psalms, "The sacrifices of God are a broken (material) spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Those ready to run "to the arms of the Father," those who have made "vigorous efforts to save themselves; and through Christ's precious love these efforts are crowned with success."

Thank you for this Lift, Suzanne,, thanks for the responses, and music, too!

Thank you.

Thank you Suzanne and for all of the comments by the lifters. Very inspiring.

What a thorough discussion of those few, vital words of Christ Jesus this community of thinkers and seekers provided -- all commencing with Suzanne's insight and follow-up observations. I am greatly lifted, and I, too know my need for God. Jesus was blessing his hearers for all time.