Can I bargain with God?
My on my how we love to bargain. Even with God. “If you do X … then I will do …
Tag Archives: Matthew 7
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him.” ~Jesus
I will admit it. I have evil desires. There is evil in my heart. Evil is a lack of goodness. …
“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 …
“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 …
“If you know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” ~Jesus
God is good. God alone is good. God only has good things in mind for me. Jesus wants me to …
“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 …
Does lack of self examination lead to pride and self-delusion?
There was a problem among the early group of disciples in Corinth. It still continues among believers today. I need …
What does God expect when I talk with Him?
So what is prayer? The most basic definition of prayer is “talking with God.” Prayer is not meditation or passive reflection; …
“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 …
Hypocrisy — What happens when my deeds do not match my words?
Jesus is clear. Jesus detests hypocrites. Jesus calls it out all the time. My contempt allows me to ignore its …
Hell — The reality of hell should affect the way people live. — The importance of making the right choice.
Can I choose not to go to hell? The punishment of the wicked in hell is as never ending as the …
“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 …
Judging Others – Some Examples of Jesus the Messiah refusing
Jesus famously said “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will …
“Blessed be God — He heard me praying.” ~King David
I need to see how much God cares. It is just who He is. I don’t need to look around. …
Peace — Through the Father’s provision for the believer
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there …
“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 …
“Then he will turn to the ‘goats,’ the ones on his left, and say, ‘Get out, worthless goats! You’re good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why?” ~Jesus
Jesus has some goals in mind for me. Jesus is clear what they are. Jesus warns me that there will …
False Doctrine — It contradicts the good news of Jesus the Messiah
Jesus, the Son of God, is the Messiah. God sent him to live among us, die for our missing God’s …
“The one who listens to you, listens to me. The one who rejects you, rejects me. And rejecting me is the same as rejecting God, who sent me.” ~Jesus
What am I to do? It all starts with listening. From there, as a follower of Jesus, I am to …
“My kingdom, doesn’t consist of what you see around you.” ~Jesus
Pilate said, “Do I look like a Jew? Your people and your high priests turned you over to me. What …
“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 …
“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 …
“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 …
“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need.” ~Jesus
Is this a game to be played like cat-and-mouse or hide-and-seek? When I need something, should I try to bargain …
“Don’t look for shortcuts to God.” ~Jesus
We live in a world of shortcuts. We are always looking for the easy way, the quick way, things that …
“Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them.” ~Jesus
Jesus guidance to me is so simple and straightforward. He frames the issue clearly. How should I behave? Be proactive. …
Living in a culture of criticism. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” ~Jesus
We pay people to be critics. They make a living doing it. They sometimes even get fancy titles like consultants …
“This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in.” ~Jesus
First of all, God conceived us in love. That is the starting point and is amazing in and of itself. …
““I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking.” ~Jesus
Powerful message from Francis Chan. Jesus, the Messiah and our Master, requires pretty much one thing. We must be obedient God. …
“The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.” ~~Jesus
What does it take to get my attention and to keep me focused? Hard to say some days. There are …
“Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do.” ~Apostle Paul
News flash. God can handle things with out my help!! God doesn’t need me to correct believers. This can be very …
“In trying to be relevant, you’re only being cute and inviting sacrilege.” ~Jesus
King Jesus, the Messiah, could nail it. And nail it he did. All of life should be about doing what …
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment.” ~Jesus
Oh my goodness. We live in a world where a critical spirit is par for the course 24/7. It is …
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize faults-unless, of course, you want the same treatment.” ~Jesus
How do I want to be treated? With respect. With understanding. I like to be given the benefit of the …
"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
God sees our heart and looks into our soul. God knows our intent. Jesus challenges to focus on who we …
“Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character.” ~Jesus
I can’t impress God. Some ministers are trying to impress us though. Jesus called it straight. Jesus knows the real …
Should I be the judge?
This theme seems very clear. There isn’t too much to be added here. 8 very specific references citing Jesus, Peter …
“Judge not, that you be not judged.” ~~Jesus
Jesus can be very straightforward and direct. His suggestion on criticizing is to not do it. Period. End of story. …
“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need.” ~~Jesus
My on my how we love to bargain. Even with God. “If you do X … then I will do …
