Matthew 5

Verses1-12

What matters most is obedience from the heart, willing service that pleases our God. The humility that Jesus called for in God’s followers flew in the face of the Pharisees and Sadducees we met in earlier chapters. Just like then, we are to recognize our prideful spiritual poverty, are called to realize our need for a Savior. We are to mourn and be serious over sin in our lives and we will be comforted. We are to hunger and thirst after righteousness, be merciful, pure in heart, peaceful, and even suffer persecution for Jesus sake. By living with a heart in obedience to God we personify the heart of God to others, just as Jesus personified the heart of God in the flesh, (Only He did it perfectly), and don’t worry others will point out when you are not living perfectly.This kind of life may not always bring “happiness” but with our eyes on the eternal (the things that really matter we will blessed with hope and joy. For my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness! My hope as the Bride of Christ is in my Jesus and the work He accomplished on the cross, namely being the perfect sacrifice for my sin.

Verse 13-16

As a Christian…what is my motive for all my actions? Love for my Savior… and to glorify my Father in heaven, that others may see goods works and glorify my Father in heaven. In a world that does not know God, or His word, or that Jesus died for their sins, I am to live it out before them with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Verse 17-20

We are not to be like the Pharisees, obeying the law outwardly. God looks at the hidden man, the thoughts and intents of the heart. Our thoughts and attitudes are just as important to our Savior our Creator, as our actions.

Verse 21-48

In regards to the law, anger, lust, divorce, vows, revenge, and our enemies…The life of Jesus is our example for these matters in thought word and deed. We are not to compare ourselves to others and think we are doing well compared to them. Our standard is the perfection of Jesus Christ. Of course no one can live up to those standards and it reveals to our hearts like to the Pharisees that we need a Savior to redeem us from our own sins!

Blessings, Lady

Matthew 4

Verses 1-11 Jesus goes to the wilderness after the baptism and is tempted by Satan, and Jesus dismisses the temptation with scripture.

Verses 12-16 The news that John was put into prison made it’s way to Jesus. Jesus went to
Galilee where the people who were in darkness now saw a great light.

Verse 17 Jesus ministry begins

Verse 18-22 Jesus calls two sets of brothers, Peter and Andrew, James and John, all of whom were fishermen, to become fishers of men.

Verse 23-25 Jesus went around
Galilee teaching and preaching, and healing. Word of what Jesus was doing spread throughout the region and great multitudes followed Him. The same power that created the universe that created us, that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us through the Holy Spirit. The word of God shows us that times of testing will come into our lives, and Jesus shows us how to handle them. What do we need or turn to during these times of spiritual combat? Do we even recognize that it is spiritual battle? Eve listened to the temptation of our enemy, and he (satan) would love to steal kill and destroy our lives, ministries, witness, families and friends. How are we guarding our hearts from the enemy? Do you think John might have been tempted to think that Jesus, his own cousin, might have forgotten him? The news of his (John’s) imprisonment reached Jesus and yet He (Jesus) began to be in the public eye and became popular among the people. The Jews were looking for an Earthly leader and it looked as if he had arrived. Where do we seek our approval from, the eyes of man, or the heart of God? It’s interesting to think that Jesus called ordinary fishermen to follow him. By spending time with Jesus the fishermen’s lives were truly changed. Where should we find our example, and are we living as godly example’s to others? The Son of God, left glorious heaven, to come to earth to teach, preach and heal, be crucified, and resurrected, that we might repent and believe on Him. The message God had to give us was so important Jesus came willingly to share it in person, what an amazing love our Bridegroom Jesus has for us His Bride!

Blessings, Lady