Some good home training.

Matthew 5:

 ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

⁵ Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth.

⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

⁷ Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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JESUS has called us to “follow HIM” and to do HIS will but how? How am I supposed to do HIS will when life is upside down or sideways or some other off direction?

HIS answer is simple:

• Be “poor in spirit” and stop fighting GOD’s will for a moment to see what HE will do.
• Be in a “mournful” state over the sins that easily gets to me and watch the FORGIVER work.
• Be “meek” instead of bragging about gifts and abilities so GOD can get the credit, not me.
• Be “hungry and thirsty for righteousness” wanting real and perfect worship of GOD instead of my sometimes worship attitude.
• Be “merciful” because my list of sins is long, wide and in need of GOD’s repair.
• Be “pure in heart” because lust is the opposite direction of love and poor motives are selfish.
• Be a “peacemaker” because people are repelled by hatred, prejudice and malice but drawn by GOD’s love for one another.
• Be “persecuted” and different than the world, proclaiming GOD’s SON as my savior even if friends, family or foes don’t bow to HIM.

• Do you feel you are at “odds” with GOD?
• Can you believe HE will forgive you even for “that” sin?
• Can you change your heart today?
• Will you bless someone with one of these words of comfort?

Looking for somebody?

Matthew 4: ¹⁹ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

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“Need a job? Network” I was told. “Want to grow your business? Network” I was told. “Want more out of life? Network” I am told. Networking has become this thing that seems great for the political and gross for the average person.

“You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” is a growing self-serving attitude that I don’t quite feel comfortable with. How can I be successful if that isn’t my personality?

• I can’t follow JESUS when I am arrogant.
• I can’t follow JESUS when I am fearful.
• I can’t follow JESUS when I am lustful.
• I can’t follow JESUS when I am doubtful.
• I can’t follow JESUS when I am lazy.

JESUS told HIS disciples to follow HIM meaning “Do what I do.” HE tirelessly gave of HIMSELF while keeping a peaceful attitude. HE had to show HIS disciples how to serve people and how to have the right attitude while doing so.

Humans are flawed. We are selfish even when we serve, BUT JESUS was pure in all of HIS intentions. HE showed me how to serve others just for the sake of serving HIM. Now when I do something “nice” for someone, I know it brings the person one more step closer to GOD.

• Networking for GOD always yields profit in my life.
• Networking for GOD always feels like the right thing to do.
• Networking for GOD always works when my motive is purely focused on HIM.

GOD doesn’t need me to manipulate, coerce, or entangle people to have a relationship with HIM. HE simply wants me to share the great news about the things HE has done for me over the years. That’s it. My net “heavenly worth” goes up each sincere moment I share. GOD will take care of my earthly needs when I focus on HIS heavenly kingdom.

• Why do you meet people?
• Is it difficult for you to “network?”
• Are you meeting people to serve yourself or to serve GOD?
• Can you serve someone today even if it is as little as a smile?

Words are very important.

Matthew 4: ¹ Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

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One word can make a huge difference in how I am perceived. Let me try an experiment on a short sentence. “I love you” or “I hate you.” It’s pretty obvious what the difference is in this simple sentence but it’s not always obvious to me when I goof and put my foot in my mouth.

In other words I make mistakes in the use of my words and so do others. Sometimes my words can escalate into small tiffs and enrage into huge battles of the will. Other times my words can bring peace and ignite the heart.

• I find it amazing that GOD has shackled HIMSELF to HIS own words written in the Bible that I can read.
• I find it amazing that words are more powerful than physical needs.
• I find it amazing that GOD’s words are supreme and there is no judge or jury higher than HIS words.

Fortunately there is a remedy for me and my sometimes awkward use of words.  I can use more words but they must be coupled with action.

• To show grace, I can make up first but my action needs to include forgetting the incident.
• To show mercy, I can tell the person the wrong but my action needs to include no punishment or retribution.
• To show faith in someone, I can say “I believe you” but my actions should be in a manner that follows that belief.

I can say “GOD I believe you will take care of my situation” but act like HE isn’t and I won’t like the result. I can say “LORD help me follow YOUR plan” and if I am open to the changes HE will make then I will be amazed at the wonderful adventure HE will take me on.

• Are you a man or woman of your words?
• Do you say stuff and not follow through on your promises?
• Can you try to understand GOD’s words by reading HIS Bible more often?

Is GOD pleased with me?

Matthew 3: ¹⁶ As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. ¹⁷ And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

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“Life is too short to walk around angry” I said to myself as I pouted for not getting my way. My rage had stirred up and its full fury was ready to be unleashed because “those” people were absolutely going crazy with their sneaky deceitful ways.

When I looked in the mirror I realized some of the sneaky, deceitful things I have done over the years. Maybe this time I should handle things differently. Maybe I should use “grace” instead of “gotcha.” GOD was definitely “pleased” with that decision.

This passage is written in the Bible a couple of times and is extremely special.  It documents three distinct beings of GOD yet somehow they are one. They are equal. They are together.

I don’t know how they operate. Are they one because they agree with each other or are they physically one? All I know is they hung their entire plan on the ONE who chose to become human, namely JESUS.

• JESUS was baptized to show HIS agreement with the plan of dying for my sins.
• GOD the HOLY SPIRIT descended on JESUS showing HIS agreement with the plan to live inside my filthy body.
• GOD the FATHER said to HIS SON “YOU can do it” by stating “I am well pleased.”

I truly don’t know what is/was at stake when JESUS volunteered to become a human and walk in a way to never sin during HIS humanity. Did the FATHER bet HIS throne and put all of HIS trust in JESUS? Well… the Bible doesn’t say that, but it must be something so significant that the devil will stop at nothing to thwart their holy plan.

• The FATHER is pleased with JESUS and by my belief HE is pleased with me.
• The HOLY SPIRIT is pleased with JESUS, lives inside of me and begs the FATHER for forgiveness for me daily.
• JESUS is pleased with me because in the middle of the act of my sin, HE died for me.

No human can take me away from JESUS, not even myself. HE is with me always.

• Is GOD pleased with you?
• What are you trying to hide?
• Can you focus a small part of your life for GOD today?

I am special.

Matthew 2: ⁵ “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

⁶ “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for out of you will come a ruler

who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

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Our neighborhood was typical in the big city. Houses, families, dogs and a car was what you would find for block and blocks. I was oblivious to the future and never really thought about “what I would become.”  I was just a kid in a neighborhood going to and from school.

I never would have imagined the adventure GOD had for me in the ride called life. With uncombed hair and tattered clothes I just never thought I would be someone special. BUT GOD thought differently.

• It doesn’t matter to GOD what neighborhood I lived in, I am special to HIM.
• It doesn’t matter to GOD what social status I’m in, I am special to HIM.
• It doesn’t matter to GOD what clothes I wear, car I drive or gadget I use, I am special to HIM.

More and more I see people who consider themselves special by their job titles, social standing or cumulative wealth. When any of these things get out of whack, they don’t feel as special, I know I felt this way. GOD on the other hand started me off special as a child.

I had no possessions entering the world and will leave with nothing. What makes me special is GOD has placed HIS HOLY SPIRIT inside me and now I am able to speak about HIS SON in generous amounts without guilt of yesterday’s sin.

• JESUS entered the world as a humble servant.
• JESUS came from a modest town.
• JESUS walked the earth with no wealth.

GOD knows human wealth and human titles are no match for HIS wealth or HIS title. When HE declares something special, no one can change that decree. HE has declared you and I special, that’s all that matters!

• Do you believe GOD made you special?
• Do you think GOD has a bigger plan for you?
• Can you drop your fears and follow GOD’s leading?

GOD has a better plan.

Matthew 1: ¹⁹ Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

 ²⁰ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

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“Excuse me” I said in an irritated tone towards the waitress. She had given bad service all morning and in my mind I thought about skipping the “tip” that day. Then “that voice” popped in my head. “Be generous.” “Aw man why should I be generous to someone who clearly doesn’t deserve it?” I thought to myself.

I grudgingly gave a nice tip and I could see the waitresses face tear up a little. Maybe I didn’t know as much as I thought.

• Things are not always what they seem.
• My thoughts are not GOD’s thoughts.
• My ways are sinful.

Joseph saw a circumstance from his selfish perspective and I did the same when I looked at the situation from a “serve me” mindset. Yes, bad service should not be excused however there are times when I must consider the person rather than the situation. I’m glad I listened to GOD.

• Listening to GOD means doing something to help the other person even when I don’t feel like it.
• Listening to GOD means seeing a messed up situation and knowing GOD has a plan.
• Listening to GOD means treating GOD’s humans with love in spite of their actions.

GOD has a great plan for me, unfortunately I try to run and hide from HIM instead of waiting and listening. I guess my maturity level needs to be adjusted and with GOD’s help I will be more accepting of HIS plan.

• Can you stop worrying, venting or pouting a moment to see GOD at work in your life?
• Will you ask GOD “what do YOU want me to do?”
• Have you considered that GOD is working in “that” person’s life as well as yours?

Help me focus on the right person.

Revelation 22: ¹² “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

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One shot was all it took to take down a notorious villain is what the news boasted this morning. They had chased the leader of a terrorist group for the past ten years and now people are celebrating in the streets. I say celebrate, but not for too long.

• Israel celebrated when they left Egypt and complained months later.
• GOD’s people celebrated when Goliath was taken down yet sinned by not following GOD’s ways shortly after.
• “Hosanna” was the shout of victory when JESUS entered the city but no one could be found a week later.

People need to celebrate because there has been so much bad news so I say take a moment and do so, but do not take your eye off the true prize which is JESUS.

• JESUS says vengeance is mine I will repay.
• JESUS says come to me all who are burdened and I will give you rest.
• JESUS says confess to me any sin and I will cleanse you of all unrighteousness.

HE is the Alpha, Omega, First, Last, Beginning and the End. There is no argument, no arbitration, or repudiation that JESUS is the head of everything. I now have a true reason to celebrate and that is HE has rewards for me in spite of my sins!

• Are you looking at someone else’s demise as a reason to celebrate?
• Can you shed the ‘someone has to “win” and someone has to “lose” attitude?’
• Will you take a moment to recognize who is in control and celebrate HIM?