“I’m desperate for you. I’m lost without you.” ~Michael W. Smith
Am I desperate for God? Fortunate [Blessed] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. …
Tag Archives: Matthew 5
Should we “just suck it up”?
But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn …
How do we gain the rule of God in our lives?
Fortunate [Blessed] are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [1] Matthew 5:3 When there …
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 …
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?
Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall …
“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 false prophets, …
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 …
“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 …
“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 …
“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 …
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 …
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 …
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 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 …
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 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 …
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 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 …
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 …
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 …
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 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. …
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 …
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 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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
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 …
Are we subjects of the Kingdom of God and mighty King Jesus?
Why it matters: Wow. Jesus is direct. Grow up!! OK, that makes sense. We can be very childish. We live in God’s …
Are we just pretending to be righteous? Is it because we love to be rule followers?
What matters the most: Jesus challenges us to look at whether meeting the “letter of the law” means we are …
What does Jesus think about retribution?
Why this matters to God: This is tough stuff. It doesn’t feel right. Our natural reactions, in relationships, can get us …
Is it time for us to grow up and be mature in our walk with Jesus?
Jesus [Yeshua] challenges us to be the person God wants us to be. Jesus challenges us to grow up. Grow …
Why does Jesus demand we live a radical life?
In listening to Yeshua [Jesus] , much of what He is saying goes against the grain of what I have …
Are God’s people called on to do good works and exhibit goodness?
How am I doing with being selfless on behalf of others? It is a pretty telling question if I answer …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Who is applauding when we speak the truth about Jesus? Will we get in trouble?
All heaven is applauding when I get in trouble for speaking the truth of the government of God. God is …
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. …
Where will an “eye for eye” get us? What is the way of Jesus?
Jesus loves the word of God. He also knows the legalism can be taken to the extreme. I certainly have …
What does Jesus think about retaliation?
Jesus challenges us to not retaliate. It is in our core, when someone hurts us, to strike back. Some, famously, …
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 …
Do we make our words true by embellishing them with religious lace?
Jesus challenges us to make sure our words are clear and genuine. They should reflect all of His love. Embellishing …
Am I pretending to be righteous just because I am acting legally?
Jesus challenges us to look at whether meeting the “letter of the law” means we are living right in God. …
“Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.” ~ Jesus
There is no doubt that poverty’s reach is both widespread and devastating. God’s people cannot be indifferent toward those in …
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 …
God is God. His word is always true. We can count on it.
God means what He says. What God says is important. What He says is not to be trivialized in any …
“What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.” ~Jesus
All heaven is applauding when I get in trouble for speaking the truth of the government of God. God is …
“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” ~Jesus
My mission, given to me by God, is to love. In order to love, I need to learn how to …
“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 …
“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 …
“Pray for those who persecute you.” ~Jesus
I can trust God. While others may betray me, God will not. God is to be trusted. Now that is …
“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. …
“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. …
“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 …
Merciful – What should disciples do? Can I pass the mercy test?
Can I pass the test? Let’s call it the mercy test. Jesus orders me to be merciful. Am I? Jesus …
Joy – Is it promised to me from Jesus the Messiah?
We have a great promise from Jesus the Messiah. It is joy and happiness. Jesus wants me to have joy. …
Judging – How should we deal with sinning disciples of Jesus?
There was a pastor who became involved immorally with a married woman in his congregation. They each divorced their respective …
Sanctification — Is a lack of faith an obstacle?
I avoid some things because they sound very geeky and smack of theology. Jesus talks about sanctification. Maybe I need …
“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 …
Law — Is there a conflict between grace and the law?
The purpose of the Law was, basically, to bring us to the Messiah. It is essential to start here. Once …
“But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” ~Apostle John
Jesus is clear. His apostle John is clear. My heart testifies to me what I ought to do. There …
Self-Denial — Is it a requirement of following Jesus the Messiah?
There is much to be said about self denial and the scripture repeats this theme over and over. Jesus is …
Persecution — Are religious authorities and elites an agency of it? Does this include the Religion of Secular Humanism and Atheists?
There is no doubt that persecution is a stark reality of living for a disciple of Jesus. For a disciple …
Jesus Quotes and God Thoughts 