I was doing my morning devotion in Matthew 5. It happened to be Jesus' very first recorded sermon. I think His first and last teachings were iconic. Think about it - wouldn't it seem true that the Creator of the universe would initiate and close His ministry by teaching the things closest to His heart?

As I slowed down to really put myself in the presence of Jesus during that sermon, this jumped off the pages. Jesus started by teaching on the famous 'Beatitudes' in His Sermon on the Mount. If you want to be a relational genius, read Matthew 5 and apply His teaching to your daily life.

Jesus accents the primary character traits he wants us to pursue by saying, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, those who are meek, those who hunger for righteousness, those who are merciful, those who are pure in heart, those who are peacemakers and finally, those who are persecuted because of my name."

As a husband, leader and businessman, I want to feverishly pursue each one of these traits. To me, poor in spirit means I am always learning and wanting more from the Holy Spirit. To mourn, means I should have empathy for those who are hurting. Meekness reflects a softness about the way I handle people, even when I am disappointed in them. Hungering for righteousness means exactly what it says. Being merciful is much harder than you think. Give everyone mercy in the same way you want it. Peacemakers are people who calm the storm rather than create it.

If I read this out loud daily and use it as a creed, people around me will notice. Jesus will shine through me. We can make a relational impact on people because God gave us a road map that's found in this chapter. 

Want to thrive at work, home and church? Print the Beatitudes and tape them on your mirror to see every morning. Make them your own personal creed. Ask the Lord to bless you for responding to His sermon.

He will.