Will we get in trouble for following Jesus?
Jesus challenges us to be radically different from most Christians and religious types of people. It will get us in …
Tag Archives: Jesus Manifesto
Can we love life and be free? Can we be happy and not let our lives be burdened by negativity?
Love Life. God has given us an abundant life. Jesus wants us to love it. Jesus wants us to have …
Will we be taken at our word?
Why this is important: Jesus lives in a clear world. He is light. There is no darkness in Him at …
“A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.” ~Jesus
Jesus warns us in the Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7) where we hear Him say Beware of the false …
Are we praying the “Jesus Way”?
I have a Father in heaven. That is some incredibly good news. I am ecstatic over that. I need to …
Is Jesus clear in what He says about about marriage and divorce?
Jesus has some noticeably clear instructions on marriage and divorce. This is the short version in the Jesus Manifesto (Matthew …
“Be reconciled to your brother.” ~Jesus
I get angry. I say things I should not and clearly regret later on. I say them though. It isn’t …
“And when you pray …” ~Jesus
The Jesus Manifesto continues as Jesus teaches me how to pray. It is not about how much I say. …
Do I have an obligation to “fix” myself?
I am clear on the first part of this in the Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5-7). I’ve written on it. We’ve …
“Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” ~Jesus
Why this is important: Jesus continues His manifesto. I have a lot to learn here. Jesus is being clear, as …
Are we seeing with 20/20 vision?
In the Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7), Jesus draws a sharp contrast now between a blind person and a sighted …
“Do not be anxious!” ~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to not worry. God is God, in complete control and in a good mood. God will take care …
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save.” ~Zephaniah
Jesus challenges us to focus on what God is doing today, right now. That is all that Jesus did. He …
“For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” ~Jesus
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to …
“If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away.” ~Jesus
God’s goal for us is to make the right choice and choose the way of Jesus. Admit that doing God’s …
“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” ~Jesus
Why this is important: We say something we regret. We excuse it by saying, “I didn’t mean it”. That does …
“Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” ~Jesus
Jesus sets standards for us based on a whole different world. It is His Father’s world. It is a world …
“Be anxious for nothing.” ~Apostle Paul
We all need rest. It is essential. I am anxious about so many things. Anxiety is insidious. There is no …
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” ~Jesus
Jesus continues His Manifesto (aka The Sermon on the Mount). Jesus is getting close to wrapping it up. Jesus does …
“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” ~Jesus
We know we all do it. We “pretend” nothing is wrong. We pretend we are something we are not. We …
Will Jesus call us worthless goats and send us to hell?
Jesus has some goals in mind for us. Jesus is clear what they are. Jesus warns us that there will …
Why worry? Why are we so anxious about the least little things?
The list of things I can worry about is long. Give me a whole day and it grows enormously. My …
How radical is Jesus concept of love? Will it bring out the best in us?
Why this is important: There are people in our lives that simple challenge us. Many times, that challenge clearly brings …
Are we fortunate to be persecuted?
God’s people have always faced persecution. The prophets were reviled, tortured, and killed. History records that ten of Jesus’ disciples …
Are we trying to keep God a secret?
How often do I act like God is a secret? Unfortunately, more than I want to admit. I take credit …
Will we serve money and wealth?
Want to know what Jesus thinks? Here is Everything Jesus had to say about the homeless, wealth, prosperity, poverty, riches, the …
What should we do about manipulation in our lives?
We miss God’s goal when our goal is to get our own way. Jesus stops us dead in our track by …
Do spiritual riches more than compensate for material poverty?
The lack of spiritual riches and gifts is seen by Scripture as an especially distressing cause of poverty. Awareness of …
Why does Jesus want us to be pure in how we see sex?
Jesus challenges us to see how corrupt our heart can be, and it is about our heart. Jesus says do …
Is peacemaking a big goal given to us from Jesus?
Why this is important: Jesus continues on with his manifesto (aka sermon on the mountain). Jesus calls on us to …
Are we planning for the worst? What does Jesus think about that?
Why this is important: We often worry about what might happen. Conventional wisdom says “plan for the worst”. And so …
Is our goal to be perfect?
The word perfect in Matthew 5:48 does not imply sinlessly perfect, for that is impossible in this life. It suggests …
What is the main thing about the main thing?
Jesus is beginning to wrap up his Manifesto (aka the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7). Jesus now lays …
Is there a connection between what God does and what we do?
God wants us to act on what He is talking with us about. Jesus gets that. Jesus knows what the Father …
What should followers of Jesus do about abuse?
Why this is important: There is right and there is wrong. We all know the difference. We must remember to …
Are we praying like a hypocrite? Jesus wants to know.
Prayer essential in our relationship with God. One of the pillars in the Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7) is …
How can we be delivered from the evil one?
Why this is important: Jesus taught us to pray. Jesus gave us the template. The prayer is a part of …
How should we give to the needy?
Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and …
Is a true prophet’s godly life a reflection of his calling?
Why this is important: Jesus said, “a tree is recognized by its fruit”. When looking for “fruit,” here are specific …
What should we do about lust in our lives?
The Jesus Manifesto is radical. Jesus changes the way things work in the new covenant (aka contract, agreement or testament). …
Are we asking, knocking and seeking? Will we persist?
Why it matters: Jesus continues the lessons from His Manifest (Matthew 5-7). This one is very important. It is the …
Are we learning how to be gentle and meek?
Jesus is a kind, loving King. Jesus is not angry with me. Jesus wants me to be kind and gentle. …
What is the outcome of mourning?
Jesus is ushering in the Kingdom of God. I like to think of Matthew 5 to 7 as his manifesto …
Can we predict how hard it will be for us in following Jesus?
This Jesus saying is a part of what I call the Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7) aka the Sermon …
All this time and money wasted — do we think it makes that much difference?
Jesus knows how to ask questions. He forces us to get clear. What is important? Perhaps the question is rhetorical …
What is competing with our loyalty to Jesus?
Loyalty to Jesus, the Messiah, has lots of competition. God doesn’t just want to be first. God wants to be …
Will we let our light shine?
Why it is important: Jesus makes a declaration about His followers in the Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7). We …
What relieves our anxiety in life?
The main thing: Jesus is now at the core issue as He lays out His manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7). …
When should it be ASAP?
Today is the day to start. Let’s redefine ASAP. A = Always S = Say A = A P = …
Why were the crowds so astonished at how Jesus taught?
Jesus wrapped up His Manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7). The teaching is over. What He has said is amazing. The …
Are we so preoccupied with getting that we can’t respond to God’s giving?
God is in an amazing mood. He has so much He wants to give us. Are we ready? Jesus challenges …
What should we think about good works?
The big picture: Goodness and good works are acts designed specifically to benefit others, which are characteristic of God. We …
Are we no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet?
The Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5-7) continues with Jesus laying out for us what we need to be like in this …
How do we achieve right standing with God?
How much of what we do “for Jesus” is done to be seen by others? Probably too much. Jesus is …
Did Jesus come to abolish the Law?
Jesus continues His manifesto (found in Matthew 5-7). There is a lot to learn here. Jesus is being clear, as …
Do we see how much God cares?
The big deal: We need to see how much God cares. It is just who He is. We don’t need …
What are we working for?
What am I working for? Jesus wants to know. Jesus has some commands for me on this. I must act …
How much mercy and compassion do we need from Jesus?
‘Mercy’ is compassion for people in need. We can distinguish it from ‘grace’. The Greek noun eleos (mercy) … always …
Do we know God and how He works?
Jesus challenges us: The challenge is to not worry and live for what God wants to accomplish today. God takes …
What should I do when someone is begging for money?
It is a challenge. I see the homeless. Do I give them some money? Won’t they just use it to …
How is my spirit doing? Is it poor or rich?
What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”? Poor in spirit means that you feel you have no moral riches …
What does it take to be happy?
Jesus didn’t call me to be a Christian. He called me to be His disciple. Jesus is my Master. I …
Will we happy if we are obedient to Jesus?
Jesus asks very penetrating questions of us. Jesus is patient. Jesus is waiting for our answer. What will we say? …
Is sin a cancellation of a debt?
What matters the most: Sin is pictured as a debt, and the sinner as a debtor. Accordingly, the word represents sin …
What should we hunger and thirst after?
Jesus continues with His radical Manifesto (Matthew 5-7). We all know what it is like to be hungry or thirsty. …
Can we feed our mind daily with purity and goodness?
Is it positive? God wants us to be positive. Jesus challenges us to see what God is doing right now. …
How is the evaluation of ministries commended by Jesus?
What we know: Jesus warns about false prophets. He does this many times. Jesus is clear that not every minister or …
Is mercifulness an attitude of compassion and care?
Mercifulness is an attitude of compassion and care, grounded in the nature of God himself, made manifest in the life …
How should we act knowing that hell is real?
Can we choose not to go to hell? The answer is yes. Hell is real. What matters the most: The punishment of …
Will Jesus the Messiah rule the nations with justice?
In the New Testament, Yeshua [Jesus] extends the Torah even further in terms of justice. He states, “Do not think …
Mourning
Here is a guest article from Mandy Sweigart-Quinn. Mandy is known as the Blue Collar Theologian (www.bluecollartheologian.blog)! She loves Jesus, His …
Is our life steep in God and His reality?
We all have the same amount of time every day. Jesus challenges us to use it to focus on it …
Is sexual sin driven by covetousness?
What matters the most: Whereas several of the commandments of God prohibit certain actions, such as murder and theft, covetousness …
Can we have a pure heart?
Jesus calls on us to be pure of heart: We need His regenerating Spirit and the blood of His sacrifice …
Does God have a plan when reconciliation doesn’t work?
God’s Plan: The Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5-7) continues. It may seem strange that Jesus should pass from peacemaking to persecution, from …
Is hell a real place? What does Jesus say?
What matters the most: According to Yeshua [Jesus] hell is just as real as heaven. The Bible clearly and explicitly …
Is materialism transitory and elusive?
It matters: We could translate this verse: “We brought nothing into this world because we can carry nothing out” (Job …
Jesus fasted … should you?
Why it matters: Fasting can be an empty ritual and is condemned. Did not people come to Jesus and ask: …
How can a good tree produce bad fruit?
Jesus is beginning to wrap up His manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7). Jesus changed his brief metaphor from sheep and …
Are we happy that we can be pure in our heart?
Is my heart pure? That is an essential issue to address. Jesus lays it out in His manifesto (Matthew 5 …
Is our light shining for all to see?
Jesus clearly calls us to do good works! The purpose of our good works is to glorify our amazing and …
How does Jesus wrap things up in His Manifesto?
Jesus is about to wrap His Manifesto (Matthew 5-7). There is one final parable to lay it all out. There …
Is Jesus challenging us? Why should we love our enemies?
Jesus challenges us to go beyond what the rules say. He knows we focus on “what the rule says” and then …
Does our critical spirit have a way of boomeranging on us?
Jesus has a requirement for me as I stand before Him, confessing I have missed God’s goal, I am a …
What should we do when someone drags us into court and sues for the shirt off our back?
Jesus challenges us to have a GOD World (Kingdom) approach to retaliation. Our normal approach to being sued is to …
Where should we keep our money?
Where is our treasure? What is important to us? Is Jesus our Master? Why it matters: Jesus told us to …
What is the alternative to anxiety?
There are a lot of details to life. What to eat. What to wear. Which way to drive to work. …
Is tit-for-tat retaliation the way to go?
Our culture tends to be one of retaliation. Someone hurts us, we envision a way to get them back. There …
Are we fortunate when we are persecuted for Jesus?
How does Jesus expect us to react under persecution? Rejoice and be glad! That is right. Can we jump up and down …
Is peacemaking a big deal to Jesus? Can we do it?
Why this is important: We can’t make peace if we don’t have peace ourselves. That is the first task, …
Is Jesus clear about what He expects from us?
Why this is important: Jesus has just finished talking about not judging and hypocrisy in the Jesus Manifesto. At first …
Are we hiding our light?
Why this is important: Jesus doesn’t want us to play a game of hide and go seek. Now think …
If we refuse to do our part, do we cut ourselves off from God’s part?
Jesus challenges us to forgive others. It is a clear command and unambiguous. That is our part to do. When …
Are we really, really happy? Are we sure?
Why this is important: I am happy. Jesus promises me that I will be. Happiness is a state of pleasure …
How can we deal with the impulse to retaliate?
Jesus challenges us to not retaliate in the Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5-7). It is in our core, when someone hurts …
Is being angry helpful? What does God think about that?
What is our mission? Our mission, given to us by Jesus, is to love. That is it. That should …
“No one can pray and worry at the same time.” ~Max Lucado | What is prayer?
God’s goal is for us to talk with Him, trust Him and obey Him. Our alignment with God takes the anxiety …
What is worry? Do we know God? Do we know how God works?
Why do we worry? What produces that anxiety in our gut? Because we don’t know what a good mood God, our …
Are there examples where Jesus didn’t judge?
Jesus famously said in the Jesus Manifesto “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way …
Should we judge others or not?
Jesus can be very straightforward and direct. His suggestion on criticizing and judging others is to not do it if we …
Jesus Quotes and God Thoughts 