Is God pleased with the good works of his people?
How am I doing with being selfless on behalf of others? It is a pretty telling question if I answer it …
Tag Archives: Jesus Manifesto
Is an “eye for an eye” the way to live?
It happens all the time. Someone uses us for their own advantage. We get upset. It’s just not right. We …
Does our yes mean yes? Does our no mean no?
Jesus challenges us to mean what we say. Religious jargon and trite sayings are useless. It is the power of …
What is so special about a city on the hill? Does Jesus know?
There are times Jesus will do things and suggest that it not be shared with others. It is a God …
What is peace? How do we make peacemaking real? What is the promise of Jesus?
Jesus says: “Happy [blessed] are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” The commendation of peacemakers – …
God is God. His word is always true. Can we count on it?
God means what He says. What God says is important. What He says is not to be trivialized in any …
Will God betray us? Why should we trust Him?
I can trust God. While others may betray me, God will not. God is to be trusted. Now that is …
Who would take a light and hide it? Yet, isn’t that what we do some days?
Jesus doesn’t want us to play a game of hide and go seek. Now think about it. God is light. …
Does it takes supernatural courage to love the way God loves?
This is tough stuff. It doesn’t feel right. Our natural reactions, in relationships, can get us in trouble. Jesus has …
God’s goal for us to grow up and live the Life of Jesus, doing everything His way.
Jesus challenges us to be the person God wants us to be. Jesus challenges us to grow up. Grow up! …
Jesus is radical and demands that we live in a radical way.
In listening to Jesus, much of what He is saying goes against the grain of what I have thought brings …
Did Jesus finish it? Is it complete?
Jesus, God’s Son, shows how He completes what was started in the Old Covenant (Testament). Jesus is the completer in …
How does God prove His love for us?
God takes our salvation and relationship with Him seriously. We know that God loves us because He sent His Son …
“Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court.” ~Jesus
Jesus is clear what love looks like. My words need to reflect His love in me. This is a core …
“Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” ~Jesus
When I was a young man, we used the phrase “just suck it up”. We used it a lot. We …
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” ~Jesus
The Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5-7) continues with Jesus teaching us how to pray. I must learn how to forgive. How …
“Give us this day our daily bread.” ~Jesus
Jesus continues the Jesus Manifesto and the model prayer. I have needs on a daily basis. We all do. Jesus …
“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” ~Jesus
The Jesus manifesto continues. Jesus takes on oaths and swearing. Jesus is clear on this. I am to say yes …
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” ~Jesus
I need to get on board with what God wants. It is never about me. It is always about God. …
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.” ~Jesus
Jesus warns us in the Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7) where we hear Him say “Beware of the false prophets, who come …
“Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy.” ~Jesus
I have a Father in heaven. That is some very good news. I am ecstatic over that. I need to …
“I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” ~Jesus
Full disclosure. I have been divorced and have remarried. Jesus has some very clear instructions on marriage and divorce. This …
“I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.” ~Jesus
I get angry. I say things I shouldn’t and clearly regret later on. I say them though. It isn’t pretty. …
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” ~Jesus
The Jesus Manifesto continues as Jesus teaches me how to pray. It is not about how much I say. It …
“You hypocrite first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” ~Jesus
I am clear on the first part of this in the Jesus Manifesto. I’ve written on it. We’ve all heard …
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” ~Jesus
Jesus continues His manifesto. I have a lot to learn here. Jesus is being clear, as He always is. …
“The eye is the lamp of the body.” ~Jesus
In the Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7), Jesus draws a sharp contrast now between a blind person and a sighted …
“I give out good and get back evil from God-haters who can’t stand a God-lover.” ~King David
I sure feel like this some days. I do good (or at least I think I do). What do I …
Should we forgive our enemies and persecutors?
Jesus is all about forgiveness. That is the reason God sent him to us. I need forgiveness and the good …
“You are the light of the world.” ~Jesus
Jesus makes a declaration about His followers in the Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7). We are the light of …
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” ~Jesus
Jesus is now at the core issue as He lays out His manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7). God has a …
“And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their religious elitist leaders.” ~Apostle Matthew
Jesus wrapped up His Manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7). The teaching is over. What He has said is amazing. The …
“Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the religious elites, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” ~Jesus
Jesus continues His manifesto. I have a lot to learn here. Jesus is being clear, as He always is. This …
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?” ~Jesus
The Jesus Manifesto continues with Jesus laying out for me what I need to be like in this world. I …
“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” ~Jesus
What am I working for? Jesus wants to know. Jesus has some commands for me on this. I must act …
Happiness — Who is it for?
I am happy. Jesus promises me that I will be. A state of pleasure or joy experienced both by people …
“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” ~Jesus
Jesus has just finished talking about not judging and hypocrisy in the Jesus Manifesto. At first sight and hearing, this is …
“Happy are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad!” ~Jesus
How did Jesus expect me to react under persecution? Rejoice and be glad! That is right. I’m jump up and down for …
“Happy are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” ~Jesus
Is my heart pure? That is an essential issue to address. Jesus lays it out in His manifesto (Matthew 5 — …
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life.” ~Jesus
There are a lot of details to life. What to eat. What to wear. Which way to drive to work. …
“Happy are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” ~Jesus
The Jesus Manifesto continues. It may seem strange that Jesus should pass from peacemaking to persecution, from the work of reconciliation …
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” ~Jesus
Jesus is about to wrap His Manifesto. There is one final parable to lay it all out. There is a contrast …
“A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” ~Jesus
Jesus is beginning to wrap up His manifesto. Jesus changed his brief metaphor from sheep and wolves to trees and …
“If you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” ~Jesus
Jesus continues the Manifesto. Jesus is teaching me how to pray. After the model prayer, Jesus emphasizes the importance of …
“Happy are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” ~Jesus
I want mercy in my life. Compassion is a wonderful gift from God. I am challenged by Jesus to replicate …
“But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret.” ~Jesus
I am thinking this part of the Jesus Manifesto has been ripped out of most Evangelical and Protestant bibles. I …
“Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” ~Jesus
Jesus continues with His radical Manifesto. We all know what it is like to be hungry or thirsty. We can’t …
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” ~Jesus
Jesus continues His Manifesto (aka The Sermon on the Mount). Jesus is getting close to wrapping it up. Jesus doesn’t …
“You cannot serve God and wealth.” ~Jesus
The Jesus Manifest continues (Matthew 5-7). This is a critical teaching of Jesus. What should I think about money and …
“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” ~Jesus
The backdrop to this is the feeding of the five thousand. It is a truly stunning miracle. Jesus was moved …
“Happy are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.” ~Jesus
Jesus is a kind, loving King. Jesus is not angry with me. Jesus wants me to be kind and gentle. …
I saw Jesus last night …
I saw Jesus last night. Of course, it was not the Jesus I was expecting. He was delivering the “Jesus …
“Happy are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” ~Jesus
“Happy (aka Blessed) are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” ~Jesus Source: Matthew 5:9 (NASB) Jesus continues on with his …
What is peace, how do we make peacemaking real and what is the promise of Jesus?
Jesus says “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” The commendation of peacemakers – It …
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” ~Jesus
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Enter …
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites.” ~Jesus
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues …
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” ~Jesus
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” ~Jesus Source: Matthew 6:13 (ESV) Jesus taught us to pray. Jesus …
“When you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others.” ~Jesus
“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and …
“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
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a …
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” ~Jesus
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who …
“Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” ~Jesus
Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. | Matthew 5:4 (ESV) Jesus is ushering in the Kingdom of …
“For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” ~Jesus
So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. “Enter …
“Judge not, that you be not judged.” ~Jesus
Should I judge others? Jesus is clear. I have plenty of my own issues. I should look in the mirror …
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” ~Jesus
How much of what I do “for Jesus” is done to be seen by others? Probably too much. Jesus is …
“Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” ~Jesus
It is a challenge. I see the homeless. Do I give them some money? Won’t they just use it to …
“Happy are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” ~Jesus
Happy (aka Blessed) are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” ~Jesus Source: Matthew 5:3 (English Standard Version) …
