03/13 Matthew 5:20
“But I warn you — unless you obey God better than the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees do, you can’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven at all!
CHRIST
Christ is the righteousness of God. We need to make sure that we are not following the Pharisees footsteps as we live for Jesus. The law is used to show us our sin, to show us our sinfulness and to show and show us the great need we have for a Savior.

03/12 Matthew 5:17-19
“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the Law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them. 18 I assure you, until heaven and earth disappear, even the smallest detail of God’s law will remain until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you break the smallest commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
JESUS
Jesus reveals how we are to interpret His Word and actions. Do the next right thing. Listen as the Lord speaks to us in His Word. People count with Jesus therefore we should make people count in our lives. Serve the Lord with gladness. Obey God’s Word. Teach others to follow Jesus.

03/11 Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world — like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. 15 Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
LIGHT
There is nothing more useful than salt and light. (Ancient Roman saying) Light is a symbol of radiance, of openness, of joy compatible with the BE ATTITUDES. A Christian commitment is never secret-the world will know. If we follow Jesus and serve as He directs we will reflect Jesus in us to everyone we meet. We point the way to Christ. We follow Jesus and are a lighthouse that equips people to navigate from evil to righteousness. Let the Lord Jesus shine through you.

03/10 Matthew 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
SALT
Salt suggests purity, preservation and flavor. We bring that to the world. We are called to be pure. Jesus preserves us. We are different than the world. We will lose ourselves in service to others. We are always in opposition to evil. The world will react against you. When you are identified with Jesus you will be persecuted. Stand close to Jesus. He will protect you and go with you through every trial. You will feel the pain the world inflicts on the powerless. You will see the evil at work in the lives of friends and even family. Pray for them. Pray for the people of God. Pray for the hurting. Act like Jesus.

03/09 Matthew 5:11-12
“God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too.
BLESSED
When you affirm that Christ is the only way to the Father you will be persecuted. The exclusiveness of this claim will cause the world to abuse you. This is our message (Acts 4:12) “There is no other name under heaven given among me, whereby we must be saved.”

03/08 Matthew 5:10
God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
PAIN
We will suffer for our Christian lifestyle. Others will attempt to harm us socially, physically or mentally. If you will God’s will you are different than the world that only wills its will. God’s will cuts across the will of humanity. Humanity’s response is either repentance and faith or rejection and persecution. There is a price to pay for following Jesus. Are you paying that price today?

03/07 Matthew 5:9
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
PEACE
Founders of peace are filled with the Lord Jesus. He is our peace and without Him we cannot have peace nor can we seek peace for others. Peace is not just the absence of evil but includes seeking the highest good for another. Being a peacemaker is to work for right relations between people, all people.

03/06 Matthew 5:8
God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
SEE
Pure means unmixed or without alloy: integrity. Those of integrity deal with the world transparently. There is no hidden reason, no underlying motive. What you see is what you get. No one can serve two masters and the pure of heart serve only the Lord Jesus Christ. The pure of heart seek only the will of God.

03/05 Matthew 5:7
God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
MERCY
You have been given mercy now you are a channel of mercy. Everyone that has experienced God’s grace is now used of the Lord to dispense mercy in the world. We identify with the struggle of others. We know their struggle and we care for them. This takes change and change involves suffering therefore I will, you will, suffer with those you live with.

03/04 Matthew 5:6
God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice, for they will receive it in full.
UNJUST
We live in a world that is unjust. So many face unfair, disappointing situations every day. The poor are often only guilty of being poor and society discards them. Jesus calls us to live a life that is sensitive to the needs of the mistreated. Seek His face and He will give you a heart for change. We are change agents in the world. Be about the Master’s business. Help the helpless and work for justice in our your world.