Let Your Light Shine

In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matt 5:16

Everyone faces good times and bad but our reactions to those situations is what others notice. When we live a life that is centered on Christ it reflects in our actions, especially in the face of challenging trials. With Christ living in us our reaction is quite different from that of the world. As Christians we tend to be humble, accepting, gracious, and compassionate but most noticeable is our ability to have peace. It is this reaction that causes many people to take notice and wonder how we manage to have peace especially in the wake of difficulties.

When Jesus’ light shines through us it allows us to see people with a kindness and respect that would not necessarily be seen by people living for this world. We have the ability to see past the short falls (sin) in others and see them the way Christ does to offer them a hand or word of encouragement that demonstrates the love Jesus had (and still has) for all of us when he died on the cross.

When others see us acting according to the example given to us by Jesus they will notice, wonder, and hopefully ask, how we do it; this is where we have the opportunity to share Christ with them. When we confess that is not our own doing but the power of Christ living in us we give the glory to our Heavenly Father because he gave us His son Jesus to die for us so that we might have a relationship with our Creator. We can maintain this way of life because our Heavenly Father has also given us the Holy Spirit to guide us and comfort us in all circumstances. Therefore when others see our behavior it reveals the love that is freely given and readily available for all and our Father in Heaven is glorified!

- Val Rives

Settle Matters Quickly

Matthew 5:25   “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison."

 If we are reluctant to act upon a situation while  it is still in its early state we give opportunity  for things to fester and build into something that can get so blown up out of proportion. The truth of the matter is, as a Christian, we are being observed by those around us on our conduct and how we deal with everyday situations. How are we different from anyone else? If we do all we can to make restitution with our adversary, we have the opportunity to show Christ to them in our actions.  The word “together” in this verse tells me that you’re still communicating with each other.  You are still on speaking terms and things have not yet escalated to the point of no return. Take every opportunity to clear things up before they get out of hand.  The only delay would be to make it a matter of prayer and take it to the Lord prior to going to them. God is the Judge. He is the One who is watching and weighs out what we do. It is when we don’t heed what He tells us that we might find ourselves being “handed over” to the judge and the officer and imprisoned.

- Dion Bursch

Turning from Sin, Turning to God

Matthew 4:17     From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

In this scripture, Jesus was telling people to turn from their ways of sin and turn to God.  Sin is living apart from God-choosing to live our own way and making wrong choices. Sin is destructive and leads to death. God, because He loves us so much and wants us to live forever with Him, sent His only Son, Jesus, to take the penalty of our sins. The kingdom of heaven came near by Jesus coming to earth, living a perfect sinless life, dying on the cross for our sins, and resurrecting from the dead.  He bridged the gap that sin caused between God and man.  When He ascended into Heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit, who would empower us and live in us.  Because of what Jesus did, God is not only near, but He lives in us.

 I repented of my sins and asked Jesus to forgive me, make me new, come and live in me and take control of my life.  Because He lives in me, I am able to choose not to sin because the Holy Spirit gives me the strength I need to do what is right.  I feel convicted if I do sin, which causes me to repent, turn around and follow what He wants me to do.  I read His Word, the Bible, which shows me not only what He wants me to do and not do, it also tells me how much He loves me and what an awesome God He is. He has so many good things for those who choose to turn from their ways and turn to Him.  The longer I live for Him, the more I love Him and want to do what He wants me to do rather than what I want to do. He loves each one of us and wants to have a relationship with us, showing us His love, His goodness, and giving us His strength and His blessings.  All we have to do is repent!

--Heather Bursch

Rejoicing While Persecuted

Jesus commanded us to rejoice when we are persecuted.

Matthew 5: ¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Dan Wingert is getting ready to take a missions trip to India and contributed this thought:

It is possible that I could face persecution while I am on the mission field but I know that the Lord will be with me and I know that I will have a great reward for serving Him.  This would also prepare me for what could happen in this country.

Matthew 4 and 5

Beginning in Matthew, we don't find any commands in the first three chapters.  Here are His commands in chapters 4 and 5.  We will be writing about them in the coming days.

Matthew 4:

¹⁷ From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

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

Matthew 5:

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

²³ “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

²⁵ “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.

²⁹ If your right eye causes you to stumble, 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. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to stumble, 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.

³³ “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ ³⁴ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. ³⁶ And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. ³⁷ All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ ³⁹ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. ⁴⁰ And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

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 children 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.

⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.