Tag Archives: matthew 5

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Be Thou Enlightened, Reminded & Encouraged

As we move along our walk in Christ, we cannot soon forget that Satan and his minions never sleep like men do, nor do they require substance to exist. So while their mission is to defeat you by placing stumbling blocks in your christian walk, they do not rest or take vacations. For their sole purpose is delay your understanding and purpose with God. They do not give up on their quest. This way we have to be aware of the Devil and his minions tricks, and antics. The Word of God 2 Corinthians 2:11 says 
“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” Let us not forget to stand strong and be not dismayed at the things we’re going through. It is the trying of our faith and the hardening of our resolve to never give up nor surrender to the systematic attacks of the devil and his minions. 

It seems like when it rains it pours. In our life when we go through one thing, it seems like a succession. Don’t think it abnormal because Satan is attacking us constantly. We ask the Lord “Why?!” But think about this, when you know that you can go through and get through the other end of the test, you know that you are going to succeed and be victorious, because your faith outweighs you being scared. Know this, the trying of your faith makes you have patience to hang in there. When your patience is secure and strong, no matter what people do to you, those individuals who are used by Satan don’t know that they are being used. Don’t get mad at them, the only time you should get mad is at yourself is when you fall for what they’re doing, via Satan. 

Matthew 4:1-11 

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Matthew 4:1-11

It says in the Word that He was hungry; He was fasting for so long, and in the process of being hungry Satan came. What does that mean? Satan won’t attack you at your strongest point because he’ll have a battle on his hands. He’ll attack you at your weakest point. He comes like the snake that he is, slithering in, whether through people, situations, or through your mind. He attacks, and attacks you at your weak state, and begins to consume you. Satan knew the state Christ was in. Satan knows the state you’re in. His minions are constantly watching, knowing what state you’re in. So Satan is looking at Christ, knowing who He was, the Son of God. Satan wanted Jesus to use His authority to change stones into bread. To change something for His flesh. But Jesus said man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. If you think that going to work everyday so you can go buy groceries to eat is living, then you don’t even know what you are or who you are, or aware of what you can be because you’re caught up in the cares of this life. You are not in tune to who God wants you to be. The only way to do that is to look for your life in Christ, not your flesh and the world. Its by the Word of God that you have life. Out of His mouth He’ll give you things of understanding, direction, focus; its when we get at that cross roads, one to the right and one to the left, and you’re at the fork of it, and you ask “where do I go from here?” At the crossroads of life is where Satan appears. That crossroads doesn’t mean life is over, but comes down to the point of making a decision or situation in your life.

Satan comes and show you a short term picture, not the long term. We who move in society today, we don’t want to wait for anything. Satan knows that, that is why he shows you a short term, glorious picture of what can be or could be, but he never shows you the consequences until after the fact. Satan took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple. Satan will show you some good things. Take a little time from your prayer life; take a little time from going out to help others; take a little time from doing Church work, and you will have all the things you want. But what opportunities will you miss? The opportunity to witness to a soul who was just about to take its life, or the next move of God. But Satan won’t show you these things, he only wants to show you what will please your flesh. Jesus threw the Word of God to that temptation and that is what we should do. Satan always reminded Jesus He was the Son of God. Satan will do that to you too. You are a Child of God, so its like an indictment. So whatever you do from this point on, you already know the consequence of your actions. So Satan says “whenever I go before your Father, I will accuse you.” Satan wants to openly shame you before your God. 

Satan usually attacks, one after another. You’re so tired after one test, that you stumble into the next test, and you ask the Lord what you’ve done to get the next test. Satan thought that because God was in flesh form that He was tempted easily by the things of this world. So what does that tell you? As long as your mind is locked on the flesh things of this world, then Satan can tempt you. God keeps those in perfect peace who’s mind is stayed on Him. If your mind is to be something in the world, and with other people, then Satan has you in his back pocket. If your desires are for this world and the things of this world, Satan has you, and you will fail every test that Christ allows to be placed on you. Satan roams about this world seeking whom he will devour. He can only do so to those whose mind is not set on Christ. The cares of this life are not my concern. I pray for this world and the leaders in this world, but the cares of this life are not my concern. 

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.


Matthew 5:1-16

We are suppose to exemplify Christ upon this Earth. It is not for our glory but for His glory. When people look at you and you exemplify Christ, people see Christ through you, and glorify God, not you. When you get a bottle of water do you look more for the water or the bottle? We are the bottle, and the water is Christ within us. People can see Christ through you and they will glorify God. 

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.


Matthew 5:17-20

You are representing Christ, because you should be doing more than what other religions of the world are doing because you belong to Him. All things are possible if you believe. If you don’t believe then things will not be done in His name for what you asked. Except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of everyone else who isn’t under Christ, you won’t go to Heaven. Well what have you done to bring someone else to Jesus? We didn’t have time, we didn’t have money; Did you ask? Yes. But with what intention did you ask? To satisfy your flesh to impress. 

21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. 27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. 33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.


Matthew 5:21-48

As we go about our daily walk in our Christian walk, we should always remember to be mindful of what we say, do, how we act; this is what we have to give an account for at the time of an offence or situation. However, more than that, what is your attitude in your time of testing and trial? Are you in a prayerful state, or are you complaining and whining through the whole thing? Did the Lord at one time complain and whine when He was being whipped for us? What is your attitude in your test? If the Lord allows you to go through, know this, He will bring you through because He won’t put anymore on you than you can bear without giving you a way of escape. As children of God going forth in Him, we are too emotional. We have a central mindset on us. Our cenergy, is focused more on how we feel and how we’re being treated. Very few people care about really how they’re hurting others. Its always “what they’ve done to me” or “what they’re doing to me.” As Children of God, we can’t have a selfish nature, because that leaves us open to the tricks and antics of Satan. It makes opportunity for him to defeat you. 

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Do You Need the Validation of Others?

Matthew 6:1-6

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

 

Do you need the famous work “ok,” do you need to hear that word often to make you fit in your surrounds? Do you need a pat on the back after you’ve finished that job or task you were assigned to do? Do you surround yourself with people who always give you compliments? Are you constantly in need of encouragement? Do you really care about what people say about you? If you were able to answer yes to any of these questions, then its time for you be self built up in your most holy faith, without the need or the “ok” or the validation of anyone in your life to make you feel secure about you in you Christian walk, without you having the need to lift you up or give you praise.

 

Matthew 5:13-16

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

You are the salt of the earth. Salt is to make something better, taste better more palatable. When you look at that understanding, God has made you the salt of the earth. If you are the salt of the earth, what does He expect from you? It only takes a little salt to change something from what it used to taste like to make it better. It is a savory taste used to enhance, change or preserve something after being changed. Once it has been placed in the food or seasoning, that salt will preserve what was changed from one taste to the other. When you see that, understand this when the Lord said you are the salt of the earth. We were sent here to changed the direction things were going and preserve it. Once Christ gave us walking in the good news of what HE came to bring, He has placed that inside of you. You don’t need to be validated by any man, child, woman, or thing. He has made you the head and not the tail of somebody. If you’re not made the tail of somebody and you are the head, then why does the head need to talk to someone else other than Christ who is the head? You don’t need to go to any other individual to get God’s will of what He promised He said He’d do for you. Can you not count on other people? He will send you pastors after His own heart for you, leading and guiding to individuals in your own life, there to support you and keep your mind focused on the purpose that God has given you for your walk in Christ, mission in Christ and more than that for you to stay strong in His will.

God has not given us the spirit of fear. Some of us go around allow fear to dominate what God has placed into our lives to help us go forth in ministry so that we can do our part, touch the hearts minds and lives of individuals to bring them into the understanding of who Christ is. So when you allow salt to be the structure that you form yourself after, and do what it does, it will change the taste of, or change the heart of, it will make every change and preserve the change that is made earlier because of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that keeps us and gives us purpose.

If you don’t know your purpose in Christ, taking advice from men, without consulting God first, then you will be lead down a false road of security until you run into that first bump in the road. If you don’t believe in something, you will fall for anything. That is why its so important that you fail not to assemble yourself together, because someone may be going through the same thing you are. God has not given us the spirit of fear but of a sound mind. You can’t have a sound mind if you are listening to every individual who you think may have a word from God. If you’re not aware of how you are affecting your surroundings by your stability in who you are, and what purpose Christ has for you if you’re not aware of that, and you have no focus, how will you be an effective child of God?

The Bible says an unstable person is unstable in all his ways. If you don’t have focus and balance in your life, everything around you will not have focus and balance. What purpose do you have and serve, what good are you for? You are not up to par on being a Child of God. How can you be the salt of the earth? If you are allowing individuals to esteem you, validate and extol you, praise you and pat you on the back, that becoming your lifestyle looking forward to those things, then how effective of a Christian would you be? You’re waiting for validation from things around you. No, no, no. Christ can not use you because you need something other than Christ, other than the Holy Ghost, that strengthens you and guides you. If you have no stability what kind of example are you setting in your own house? If you are not sure what God’s perfect will or purpose for your life is, how can you be an example for those in your own home? Do you want everybody in your house to look up to you, and you go looking for someone else to check your validation of what you are doing and saying is correct? That has been the problem with a lot of people in this day, they look so much of what people are saying about them, looking at them, and they are allowing that to control what they say, do, and how they act.

As a Christian, you can not allow individuals to guide you or lead you for their own purpose. You have to make sure that it is coming from the Holy Ghost. The Word said it will lead you and guide you into all truth (John 16:13). Its time out for waiting to hear from a prophet, from an apostle, from a pastor, from a Bishop, from a friend, from a boss, from a loved one, its time to listen and read your word because God said He will lead and guide you. No don’t get it wrong, I’m not trying to say don’t get away from the leaders, if they are men of God, they are going to enhance and encourage and push you forward in what God has ordained for your life. If you have a mentor, whether Bishop, Pastor, friend or loved one, always check what they tell you with the Word of God, and the Holy Ghost that is in you will lead you to the right understanding. The Word of God says lean not to your own understanding, acknowledge Him and he shall direct your path (Proverbs 3:5-6). Don’t look for anyone else, to your own understanding, but lean to the Word of God, through prayer and supplication, God will give you the answer, and to every answer, He gives there will be a witness to that answer.

Don’t show yourself off to the world to validate that you are a Christian. You need not be on national tv with a banner in your hand or any such thing alike declaring that you are against this and you are a Christian, so others will see you and say “oh that is a Christian.” The world doesn’t know what a Christian is, all they know is what a Christian does. So when you have an issue with a particular thing, take it to God and pray about it, or get together corporately with a group of baptized believers where you are all standing in agreement. Where there are two or three touching and agreeing on a thing, He is in the midst (Matthew 18:19).

 

Romans 6:12

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

 

By us operating and doing things using our hands, ears, nose, arms, legs, for the purpose of Christ, he said remember you should act as though you’ve just risen from the dead. Before when you were in the world, you were dying. Now you are alive in Christ, and if so, don’t exemplify the deeds of someone who was dead, but exemplify yourself and one being alive from the dead of the world, alive in Christ. Behold you are a new creature old things have passed away.