"Love" is definitely an action word!

Matthew 5:43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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Competition is great for business but terrible for relationships. I am very competitive and driven and sometimes in my quest to win, I lose. Yes, I may win the battle, but lose in the long run by creating enemies. What happens when these jealous enemies retaliate? A mess happens!

As I dig my heels in ready to combat my enemies I see these words and get confused and conflicted. I want to win and I want my enemies to lose, BUT GOD wants my enemies to have grace and mercy.

What should I do? It's too late isn't it? I already made the enemy. GOD says start today and treat them with love. Well what if they started it? Surely I am justified in leaving them my enemy right? NO! GOD wants us to treat them with love too.

I don't like being the one to initiate love especially when the person is clearly in the wrong. Well, at least in my mind they are wrong. Now that I think about it, maybe it could be my actions that cause me to have enemies in the first place.

Yes there are small minded people who hate for no valid reason, but what about those who start off liking me and 'something' happens? I see that GOD wants me to love my enemies, because sometimes I may have wronged them and not realized what I have done.

I don't dwell on why the person doesn't like me, it would drive me crazy. I do understand GOD wants me to do a few things for the person.

• Forgive - GOD was my enemy and HE forgave me, now HE wants me to do the same.
• Pray - HE wants me to pray for both parties. Arguments have 2 sides.
• Let HIM have vengeance - HE wants me to throw my poison to the floor and HE will judge the guilty party. (I hope it wasn't me!)
• Do something HE would do - JESUS washed the feet and fed the person who would betray HIM. HE served those who hated HIM.

I guess I have to take this in baby steps. It would be hard to wash poop off the foot of my betrayer, but I can start with prayer. I can pray for a close exciting relationship with GOD that bears fruit in their life and mine.

When I think of the evil action, I can talk to my HEAVENLY FATHER and ask HIM for peace. Then I can say "do what YOU will to them and me."

• Do you have enemies?
• Did someone do something wrong to you or your family?
• Can you turn that bitterness into a prayer for the person at least once?
• Can you eventually get to the point where you want the "best" for them?

Keeping your "promises" is important to GOD.

Matthew 5:33"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' 34But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

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Promises today are thrown around as empty words. People make promises to get their way and when its time to be accountable they are no where to be found. How dare they! Wait, what about me? Do I make empty promises?

I thought about the times I was in trouble and I thought it was because of a sin that I had just committed. I remember saying to GOD, "LORD if YOU would just help me through this situation, I 'promise' I will NEVER do 'that' again!" Never is a long time.

GOD sees through my ploy to manipulate HIM and to get my way. HE doesn't want an empty promise made to HIM or "by" HIM to another person. GOD has to keep HIS promises. This is just who HE is. HE cannot lie and once a promise or law is set in motion, HE cannot and will not revoke it.

HE put some promises in place that HE will keep.

• Accept HIS SON and you will be saved.
• Reject HIS SON and you will be eternally separated from HIM.
• Love others and HE will bless you in heaven.

His promises ring true today as they were when the ink wasn't dry when they were first written. GOD doesn't want to lose one single human, but HE will not break HIS promise of the consequences set forth by rejecting HIS SON. That's taking promises seriously.

Now back to me. If HE takes promises this seriously, HE expects me to do the same. HE doesn't want me to try to make HIM a liar. HE wants me to be faithful to other humans when I say I will do something.

When people ask me to pray for them I have to admit I used to say OK, I will. It seems like the busy day would get in the way and I would forget. Broken promise. Now I simply pray for the person right away. I got that from my sister.

GOD takes HIS promises seriously and HE expects us to do the same. The great thing is, HE has forgiven us for the broken promises of the past, and HE rejoices our efforts to keep the promises we will make in the future.

• Have you broken a promise?
• Did you call 'that' person?
• Have you 'honored' your parents the way they should be honored?
• Are you refusing to hold up your end of the marriage vow because of how you feel?
• Are you stealing from work (even a paper clip)?

Sex is a subject we need to address.

Adultery
27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Divorce
31"It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' 32But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

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Wow... What can I say that won't take 200 pages to write? JESUS really does speak to the heart behind the words so I will be careful while being frank.

Humans are sexual beings. GOD created sexuality as one of the many physical pleasures humans can enjoy while waiting on HIS return. While HE forgives us for sins, HE still said that sex is for marriage.

I can only point to some issues today that need to be discussed.

• GOD loves marriage, yet divorce is at its highest in history.
• GOD hates adultery, yet this is at an all time high.
• GOD hates lust, yet TV lust and internet porn skyrocket.

OK, "this issue is huge", you say. What's the solution? With any big problem, the solution begins with me. I'm not going to condemn anyone for their past behavior, GOD has already forgiven those sins. What I will do is prepare us for serving GOD in a way that pleases HIM moving forward.

I have made many mistakes in the past, yet GOD wants me to serve HIM with purity.

• HE gets excited when I stay away from adultery.
• The HOLY SPIRIT jumps for joy when I choose purity instead of lust.
• GOD enjoys when I treat my wife as my one and only soul mate.

GOD wants me to love those who have fallen in these areas and to say to them HE forgives you as HE has forgiven me.

• Can you forget focusing on the sin and focus on the forgiver today?
• Is there someone in your life you are mistreating with sex?
• Do you think you have committed adultery before?
• Can you forgive yourself, because GOD has already forgiven you?

You are made to "change" others, not have others "change" you!

Matthew 5:13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

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I went to a party at work once and there were people telling foul jokes after getting drunk out of their minds. I was conflicted because at that time, years ago, I had just returned to serving CHRIST. I didn't know much about the Bible and I avoided church because of the hypocrisy.

There I was not knowing what to do. Join in as I have in the past or stand firm. I chose to stand firm while not judging. "How 'bout a drink?" they would ask. "No thanks", I replied. Then the question would come out. "Why not?" Now, there is nothing wrong with drinking, but I had just made a promise to GOD that "I" would no longer drink.

What was I going to say? Should I tell then I turned over a new leaf for CHRIST? Should I tell them I am a new creation? This is my chance to shine some light into the world! So I muttered "I stopped drinking" and before I went into why someone interrupted us and my words about CHRIST never came out.

I wonder what I would have said then. Now I know. After many encounters similar to this one I would say the "right" thing to the crowd I am speaking to. What's the right thing?

Well, on occasion I blurted out "it's because of CHRIST that I don't drink any longer." Of course my statement was full of pride and judgment so the crowd slowly crept away from me.

Another occasion I tried to be sly and 'slip JESUS in' by saying "I just started going to church" as weird as I felt, a couple of people complimented me and resumed their conversation. Wow, that was anticlimactic. Where were the pats on the back and the angels singing?

"Salt and light" are not "pride and judgment."
"Salt and light" does not expect fan fair.
"Salt and light" does things to celebrate what GOD has done for them. HE did everything for us now we are to be salt and light to celebrate CHRIST. "
"Salt and light" points people to CHRIST and does not focus people on our actions.
"Salt and light" leads people and does not blame them.

• Are you ashamed to admit you are a Christian to that person or group?
• Have you hidden your light just to fit in?
• Are you blaming someone for your situation?
• Do people around you praise GOD because of your life or are they running away from you?

Your "Attitude" is important!

Matthew 5
The Sermon on the Mount
1Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.The Beatitudes
2And 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 those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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When I read this I realize JESUS is telling me to pay attention to my attitude. Attitude is more important than the action. JESUS sets the tone for one of the most impactful sermons anyone has ever given. HE teaches HIS disciples to deal with other humans from the heart.

HE tells them and me what excites HIM.

• Poor in SPIRIT - Selfless nature.
• Morning - Looking forward to being in GOD's total comfort.
• Hunger and thirst for righteousness - Not a friend to sin.
• Merciful - Knowing someone is wrong and not judging.
• Pure in heart - Believing JESUS is GOD and HIS death / resurrection saves.
• Peacemakers - Focused on winning souls not arguments.
• Persecuted for righteousness' sake - Follows what GOD says no matter what.

I can see JESUS wants me to focus on others and the big picture. I like winning arguments and competitive events. The world would never call me a loser! BUT GOD says, let the world think one way about me and HE will see me as a winner.

I feared reducing my winning competitive nature would enable people to run all over me. Now I see that GOD would not let this happen. HE promises that if I reduce my will, HE would be able to bless me. That's right, my will can get in the way of GOD.

• HE said I would be part of the kingdom of heaven.
• HE said I would be comforted.
• HE said I would inherit my portion of the earth.
• HE said I would be satisfied.
• HE said I would receive mercy.
• HE said I would see HIM.
• HE said I would be HIS Son.
• HE said I would be part of the kingdom (yes HE said it twice).
• HE said I would have great rewards in heaven.

Now it's up to me to believe what HE said. I can walk around miserable on this planet or I can believe HE promiosed all of this for me and focus my attitude on what HE wants me to be.

• How is your attitude today?
• Are you drawing people towards GOD or away from HIM?
• Are you having more arguments and conflict with people?
• Do you feel you need to be heard all the time?

IF (by Rudyard Kipling)

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!

Start the year off right, "follow HIM!"

Matthew 4:18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

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I love the response of the people JESUS called. They were so sure they had found the Messiah that they dropped everything to follow HIM.

I love when I see people who are zealous for the LORD. It seems like they are contagious. It seems like whatever they face they seem to "know" they will be alright. I wonder what it is about these people. Why are they so positive?

I see that JESUS gives a purpose and that answers my question. HE says "follow ME and I will make you fishers of men." JESUS knows the importance of having a purpose. A life without purpose is a life without meaning or direction.

HE gave HIS disciples a solid purpose for their life. They weren't perfect yet their message is still the one you and I preach today. I get amazed by that!

• Can you be excited about the purpose GOD has given you?
• Do you believe GOD has chosen you for a special task that only you can do?
• Can you be excited this year about following CHRIST?