Month: February 2012

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Bridled Emotions

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God’s Word:  Matthew 5:29,30:  Jesus said, “Let’s not pretend this is easier than it really is.  If you want to live a morally pure life, here’s what you have to do: You have to blind your right eye the moment you catch it in a lustful leer.  You have to choose to live one-eyed or else be dumped on a moral trash pile.  And you have to chop off your right hand the moment you notice it raised threateningly.  Better a bloody stump than your entire being discarded for good in the dump.”  Jesus’ Message to Me: (My interpretation of … Continue reading Bridled Emotions

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For Adults Only

ellenlandreth

God’s Word:  Matthew 5:27, 28: Jesus said, “You know the next commandment pretty well, too: ‘Don’t go to bed with another’s spouse.’  But don’t think you’ve preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed.  Your heart can be corrupted to lust even quicker than you body.  Those leering looks you think nobody notices—they also corrupt.” Jesus’ Message to Me: (My interpretation of what Jesus is saying to me through these verses) My best advice for you concerning this matter is “don’t even go there.”  The world you are living in has strayed so very far from God’s righteousness.  Sin … Continue reading For Adults Only

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Pro-Active at Peace

ellenlandreth

God’s Word:  Matthew 5: 25,26  Jesus said “Or say you’re out on the street and an old enemy accost you.  Don’t lose a minute.  Make the first move; make things right with him.  After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you’re likely to end up in court, maybe even jail.  If that happens, you won’t get out without a stiff fine.” Jesus’ Message to Me: (My interpretation of what Jesus is saying to me through these verses) My life was an example of how enemies arise often through no fault of your own.  … Continue reading Pro-Active at Peace

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No Peace–Know Peace

ellenlandreth

God’s Word:  Matthew 5: 23, 24  Jesus said, “This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters.  If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right.  Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.” Jesus’ Message to Me: (My interpretation of what Jesus is saying to me through these verses) Peace with God comes only after peace with others. Do you understand what I am saying … Continue reading No Peace–Know Peace

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Controlling Anger

ellenlandreth

God’s Word:  Matthew 5: 21-22  Jesus said, “You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you than anyone who so much is angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder.  Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court.  Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire.  The simple moral fact is that words kill.  Jesus’ Message to Me: (My interpretation of what Jesus is saying to me through these verses) The seed-bed of murder is hate.  That is the reason I … Continue reading Controlling Anger

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Clean up Your Act

ellenlandreth

God’s Word:  Matthew 5:19-20 Jesus said, “Trivialize even the smallest item in God’s Law and you will have trivialized yourself.  But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom.  Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won’t know the first thing about entering the kingdom.” Jesus’ Message to Me: (My interpretation of what Jesus is saying to me through these verses) The world is full of books that are full of many good ideas of how to better yourself.  You read them and pick … Continue reading Clean up Your Act

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Beyond the Stars

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God’s Word:  Matthew 5:17, 18, Jesus said “Don’t suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures—either God’s Law or the Prophets.  I’m not here to demolish but to complete.  I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama.  God’s Law is more real and lasting that the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet.  Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working.” Jesus’ Message to Me: (My interpretation of what Jesus is saying to me through these verses) The … Continue reading Beyond the Stars

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Let it SHINE!

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God’s Word:  Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus said “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.  God is not a secret to be kept.  We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.  If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you?  I’m putting you on a light stand.  Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—SHINE!  Keep open house; be generous with your lives.  By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to … Continue reading Let it SHINE!

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Get Out of the Salt-Shaker!

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God’s Word:  Matthew 5:13 Jesus said “Let me tell you why you are here.  You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth.  If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?  You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.” Jesus’ Message to Me: (My interpretation of what Jesus is saying to me through these verses) Look at your world!  What kind of morals are being lived out?  What kind of morals are you watching on TV?  Are they ones you wish your children or grandchildren to adopt?  Whose influence is being … Continue reading Get Out of the Salt-Shaker!

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The Applause of Heaven

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God’s Word:  Matthew 5:10-12  Jesus said, “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution.  The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom. Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me.  What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.  Be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for thought they don’t like it, I DO!  All heaven applauds.  And know that you are in good company.  My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of … Continue reading The Applause of Heaven