Tag Archives: Sermon on the Mount

It Really IS All About Love

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But Jesus says to us…

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemies.’ But I say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you. If you do this, you will be true children of your Father in heaven. He causes the sun to rise on good people and on evil people, and he sends rain to those who do right and to those who do wrong. If you love only the people who love you, you will get no reward. Even the tax collectors do that. And if you are nice only to your friends, you are no better than other people. Even those who don’t know God are nice to their friends.” ~ from the sermon on the mount, Matthew 5:43-47

Jesus was teaching in this sermon not just how to treat others. I believe He was trying to get the message across that we are all loved by God, who created us all in His image. He recognizes evil. Nevertheless, He provides for us all.

I like to look a little further than what seems obvious because of what I’ve read in a Bible study or heard preached from a pulpit. The Holy Spirit, as Jesus promised, will teach us all things and remind us of what He has said.

How do you often see a little deeper than the obvious? In your experience, what passages of scripture lend themselves to this? Do you “read the white part?”

Be a blessing to someone today.

Don’t Melt…Down

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In the city where I live, there’s a busy road on which I travel often. And as I do, I nearly always catch the flashing message on a particular digital sign as I drive by. It says, “DON’T MELT… DOWN.”

The sign is for a jewelry store and I realize the rest of the message is about gold and silver jewelry and what the owners hope you’ll do with it. Nevertheless, “Don’t melt down,” is a reminder I need to hear now and then.

My lifestyle isn’t frustrated by busyness or a lot of noise. However, I’ve taken my turn at worrying. That’s when the reminder “Don’t melt down” comes in handy and my best reminders are from scripture.

Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount not to worry. He says our Father in heaven considers us more valuable than birds. Of course, Jesus is right. And why would I want to borrow trouble from tomorrow when I have today to deal with?

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Jesus originated the idea for taking life one day at a time.

For those of us who can’t slow down, Jesus says, “The Sabbath was made for man.” We all need to stop and take time to rest. King Solomon observed that we “stay up late, toiling for food to eat” echoing Jesus in regard to our need for rest. Apparently even in ancient times there were “workaholics” who needed a reminder to take it easy. Not doing so would even affect their sleep.

Because I can’t always stop the inner head chatter on my own, I’m glad I have God’s word to help me. I’m not always driving down that busy road with the blinking jewelry store sign to remind me.

Besides, His voice is a better reminder for me to not “melt down.”