“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” ~Jesus

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God is Good, God's Plan, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Matthew 12, Obedience

What does it take to be a part of God’s family?

The answer is very straight forward. Jesus doesn’t hold anything back from me. His challenge to me is to do what God wants. Obedience is the core of everything in God’s world.

It is not about my plan. It is all about God’s plan. He has one. Will I obey it? Jesus challenges me to do so.

Now here is some VERY good news. God’s plan is simple and straightforward.

In this day of complicated programs and books, simplicity rocks. The kids even have it on a bracelet. WWJD. “What would Jesus do”?

God’s plan is for me to do what He has in mind for me. All the time. That puts me in the family of God. Good news for sure.

For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.  (Matthew 12:50)

“On the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.” ~Jesus

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Accountability, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Judgement, Matthew 12, Words

Jesus knew the value of saying the right things. Jesus only said what He heard His Father saying.

That led Him to do what He saw His Father doing. Many things I say are pretty careless. I don’t think. I say things that hurt others. Sometimes I actually do it on purpose.

There is an accounting for what I say. There will come a time when I have to give an account of what I have said. I should spend more time talking about the way of God. That is what I want to be accountable for.

May I say what I hear God saying. May I speak the truth.

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:36-37

“The person who obeys my heavenly Father’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” ~Jesus

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Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Master, Matthew 12

Family

Family is important. We think it is the most important thing.

Jesus challenges me to understand that the most important thing is obedience to God’s goal for my life. God has something he wants me to do today. That is really all that matters.

This is shocking to me that family isn’t the most important thing. Jesus is clear however. Jesus should be our Master, not our family.

God supports Jesus in this message. God has given all authority to Jesus. I must get it in my soul to only desire to please my Master Jesus.

While he was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers showed up. They were outside trying to get a message to him. Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are out here, wanting to speak with you.”

Jesus didn’t respond directly, but said, “Who do you think my mother and brothers are?” He then stretched out his hand toward his disciples. “Look closely. These are my mother and brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys my heavenly Father’s will is my brother and sister and mother.

Source: Matthew 12:46-50

"The Son of Man is no lackey to the Sabbath. He’s in charge!" ~~Jesus

Tags

God is God, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Matthew 12, Religion

What is more important? Rules and regulations? Or the Ruler?

Jesus deals with the problem of “being religious” head on. The religious leaders were giving his disciples a hard time about breaking a rule. Jesus establishes that He is in charge. That is the central issue to be dealt with. Do I believe Jesus is in charge (the Master) and act on it? Will I believe it today or default to religious rules and procedures?

God is God. He is absolutely in control. He has given all authority to His son Jesus.

“The Son of Man is no lackey to the Sabbath. He’s in charge!” ~~Jesus Matthew 12:6-8 (The Message Bible)