Tag: Good

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The Good Guys, Right?

MARCH 8

MATTHEW 5:20_But I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees…

Scribes interpreted the Law and copied it into writings. If anyone knew the laws – from the greatest precept to the least – it was the Scribes. They were not politicians, but did possess great power and expected respect from their students in the synagogues. Because of their knowledge, they would most likely be the first to cringe if a jot or a tittle of the Law were violated.

The Pharisees, also learned in the Law, took more of a legal approach to the keeping of it. They were strong segregationists. They wanted no part of non-Jewish mixing.

These two sects were the primary religious leaders of Jesus’ day. Religious leaders are supposed to be the good guys, right?  If you can’t depend upon them to lead in the right direction, who can you depend upon?

There were some among the Pharisees who listened to and developed a heart for Jesus. But oh my goodness, what a sad place to be if you went to most of them for love, joy, or peace. They followed the letter of the Law rather than the spirit.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, I want to live in the spirit of Your Law. Please show me when I am living more in the letter than the spirit.  In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ is true righteousness—He will help me gain that!

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An Innumerable Amount of People

MARCH 6

MATTHEW 5:19_and teach them…

Again, Jesus’ emphasis to keep the commandments includes and teach them. Jon Donne’s phrase “no man is an island” is true. There is nothing you can do in life which only involves you. Any decision you make will directly, or indirectly, affect the people God places in your life.

Sometimes those decisions will affect people you don’t even know. If you make the decision to drink and drive, and have no passengers, you may feel that decision only involves you. But if you are involved in an accident with one or more vehicles, suddenly other people are involved in your decision.

Any time you decide to do what is right or wrong, you affect the welfare and safety of an innumerable amount of people. If you make decisions in your heart not to steal, not to kill, not to commit immoral acts – your decisions make the world a safer and better place.

You teach others to do right either directly by words, or indirectly by influence.

The same is true about wrong. Genesis 3:17 (KJV), “And unto Adam he [God] said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it….” Not only were Eve, Adam, and the Serpent punished, but everyone who has lived since that day reaps the consequences of their disobedience.

PRAYER

King of Kings, I want my example in life to be for good. I want to make right choices for myself and help others make them as well. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                          

Christ is my example for good—He wants me to follow!

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A Natural Byproduct

MARCH 3

MATTHEW 5:19_and shall teach men so…

Jesus knows to live outside of Biblical principles brings heartbreaking consequences. He wants to protect you, not punish you. The punishment comes on its own – a natural byproduct when you make your own decisions of right and wrong. 

Jesus knows the world is too hard, too difficult, too deceiving for you to take on by yourself – so He gives you commandments to live by. These commandments are taught in the Old Testament by God’s chosen leaders and in the New Testament by Jesus and His disciples. Jesus knows even the least commandment is for your good. 

Jesus sees every tear you shed, hears every sigh of your heart, and knows every pain disappointments bring. He tries to save you as much pain as possible.

Suffering comes with life – period.  God’s commandments are a true safety to keep you from experiencing suffering unnecessarily. 

It is enough to bear the pain of having broken God’s commandment, but far worse is the guilt of having led others astray with you. 

PRAYER

Holy Lord, I don’t want to make my own suffering by breaking even Your least commandment. Let Your Word teach me. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ knows all my pain—He wants to help me!

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The No-Goods

FEBRUARY 19

MATTHEW 5:16_glorify your Father which is in Heaven.

The fact that we are not good is the reason we need a savior. Eternal life cannot be purchased in any way, shape, or fashion. It is a free gift to no-good people – amazing, huh?

The final piece of Jesus’ teaching on light is the foundation not only of the light principle, but of the very purpose of life – to glorify God. That is the good work!

Every time no-good people feed the hungry (physically and spiritually), visit the sick (physically and spiritually), minister to the captive (physically and spiritually), and welcome the stranger, they do good works.

Every time no-good people do something good, God is glorified. Why? Because those works show God is The God of the Impossible. They show God’s purpose for no-good lives is to transform and use them – for good.

A power-packed light is shining – God’s amazing love. He gives love to the no-goods. This astounds people who are around us and involved in our lives. After all, they remember we were no-good! When they not only see us do good works, but may themselves be the recipients, they are amazed. They are overwhelmed with wonder, not of who we are but of who God is. And of what He can do in the life of a no-good!

  PRAYER

Holy Lord, I know I am not good, but I praise You that You can transform me to do good! In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ’s love is for no-good people—His love is for me!

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You Are Not God

FEBRUARY 18

MATTHEW 5:16_that they may see your good works and…

Never feel your candle is too small. Just because you do not have some kind of world-wide ministry does not lessen your ability to shine.

First off, you are not God (whew!). You do not know the beginning and the end. You do not know the fullness of God’s plan. He always works on your behalf. God’s love for you has no boundaries. He is using your light in ways you have no knowledge of, or ability to see.

He is working while you are sleeping.

As long as you are not ashamed or afraid to shine,  you are doing a good work. That work is seen by people you know, and by some you may never know.

You may feel you have shed light for only a few, but upon who have those few shined with the light they received from your candle? Are you getting the picture? You do not always have to hold on to your light. The light your candle gives off leaves you and settles on another.

Good works are living out Jesus’ teachings through the Holy Spirit’s power by loving people. In Mark 10:18, Jesus says, “… there is none good but one, that is, God.“

I am not a good person, but my transformation allows me to do good by shining the love of God and serving others.

PRAYER

Precious Jesus, Help me trust You to shine through me. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ’s light is seen in love—His love can shine in me!