There are about 400 years between the last Old Testament writings and the arrival of Jesus. At best, God’s people were faithful to do what they could to live out the instruction given to them centuries while waiting for the One God promised to send to deliver His people. At worst, God’s Word was misused for personal gain and to the detriment of others. If there was anyone who could bring clarity to who God was, what His kingdom was about, and how His words were intended to be lived out, it was God’s own Son. One way Jesus did so was through the Sermon on the Mount, a collection of teachings given during His ministry to His disciples and the crowds who followed Him.
Jesus begins several of His teachings in Matthew 5 with, “You have heard that it was said…,” highlighting some well-known laws and sayings of the day. He pushes their previous understandings, saying, “But I tell you…” and upping the ante to address the deeper heart posture. The bottom line? God doesn’t just care about our outward actions; He cares about the state of our hearts.
For example, it’s not just about refraining from acting on our lust. It’s about not having lust in our hearts at all. It’s not just about refraining from killing others (easy enough). It’s about not having hateful feelings toward others at all.
To top it all off, Jesus opens these explanations by saying, “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished” (v.18). This is bad news for even the most pious religious leader. If we are to be judged not only by our actions but the state of our heart, what hope do we have?
The good news is that Jesus came, not to abolish, but to fulfill the law (v.17). God saw our helpless state to meet this standard of holiness, so He sent Jesus to live a sinless life both inside and out so that whoever believes and receives Jesus as Lord would themselves be considered blameless before God.
In Christ, there is no condemnation for having fallen short of the glory of God. In Christ, there is even freedom in the transformation through the Spirit so our hearts become more like His. Praise the Lord.
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62 thoughts on "Jesus Preaches the Sermon on the Mount"
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“The state of my heart” is what God looks at. Not my outward actions or intent. Because of Jesus being my Lord and Savior, even though I fall short daily and repent, I am made new and clean and my sins are forgiven.
Look to the Word, not man’s laws of today and old.
Not just our actions, but our intentions of the heart! ❤️ Jesus “ upped the ante” to help us become more like Him. He wanted us to be the most genuine believers. Truly be salt and light from the inside out!
Loved this chapter!
“You are the light of the world” always gives me shivers!! Such a beautiful sentiment. We are all capable of shining on others around us and granting them the mercy and love of our father even if they are not believers.
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“God cares about the state of our heart.”
God cares and loves us so much!! Praise Be To God!
Thank you Mercy for your lovely thoughts this morning. Actually, I’m reading the reading a few days late but I wanted to thank you for all the prayers that you’re sending for us and your beautiful heart.
Sermon on the Mount, one of the most notable discourses in the New Testament. In this chapter, Jesus Christ lays out the principles of kingdom living, redefining righteousness beyond religious law to include purity of heart, peacemaking, and love for others.
We are the salt of the earth! We are the light of the world!
He emphasizes the need for believers to maintain their ‘saltiness’ and let their ‘light’ shine before others through good deeds, so that people may glorify God.
Jesus Christ lays out the principles of kingdom living, redefining righteousness beyond religious law to include purity of heart, peacemaking, and love for others.
Thank you Lord!❤
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Love the last paragraph: in Christ there’s no condemnation and there is freedom in our transformation through His Spirit! His word truly does give us hope for each day. Thank you Jesus and the SRT sisters for your insights. I also appreciate the prayers and compassion shown by so many to those going through really tough situations. I am a rare commenter but a regular reader and prayer! God bless each one, He is faithful and is with us on our journey. Peace and love to all .
I cannot explain the depth that the Beatitudes have for me. I just feel lost in the vastness of God’s heart whenever I read the beatitudes. Reminded again of what’s beautiful to God. And the Chosen did it really well (kudos to such efforts of Dallas and his team, I remember they used a tall crane for the scene). God’s definition of “being blessed” are so different and presented here, plain and clear, yet so difficult to come to this level of Blessedness unless by Grace. When someone has a new car, they can take a picture with it, and hashtag blessed. It is a sweet moment, very sweet lol. We rarely see anyone does this when they are mourning, being insulted, persecuted by complex politics, to hashtag as blessed. But God! Our great God counts these incidents as OUR blessedness. The suffering of our afflictions for His sake are regarded as positive deposits in our accounts in Heaven. This changes everything. And it is the most incredible good/best news I’ve ever heard.
Another point (not so easy) is to love our enemies. Love. Don’t retaliate. Bless and not curse. Speak well = bless in words. This is the grace of God that we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. Love the in-law family members who commit to misunderstand you. Pray for the coworkers who might have ignored your hello and smile all this time and possibly have gossiped behind your back. Love the ones who did you wrong, lift them up through your prayers that God will pursue and transform them. Whatever is beautiful…, dwell there. Don’t dwell on their wrongs, and our hurts. Mourn if we must, and we will be set free in the process. And that’s the true condition of blessedness.
@JESSICA H: may the transition be well for Isabelle, and more strength for her and the family.
@CARONLINE BRIDGES: that is the wrong doctrine /lie that you were told. I am so glad you are here. You have salvation (ticket to Heaven) by believing in Jesus the Son of God, and you are encouraged to cultivate a personal relationship with Him, through His word, fellowship with others, activities, bible groups, mission trips, volunteering activities, etc. And out of those experiences, and secret time in prayers, you will have a beautiful relationship with God, you will be motivated to do good works for Him, bringing the gospel to others out of your love for Him, and not out of fear or obligation. I love this quote from someone, “ Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where I found bread”. Jesus is that Bread.
@LYNN FROM ALABAMA: continued prayers for you and the caregiving journey, and baby Banks.
@RHONDA J: ❤️ love you!
@LAURA DIANE: ❤️ for your dear daughter to come back soon, and your tender mama heart.
@TERESA DONLEY: so sorry about your dad’s story and what your mom, your sister and you have gone through.
@KIMBERLY Z:❤️
@MIA FAITH: prayers for your family and healing, grace for the bereavement group you are running.
@CAT-TEE: good settling and much love for your mom and travel grace for you.
@TERRI BALDWIN: you have been in my thoughts lately. Thank you for your comments.
Thank you so much ladies for your joining prayers against suicide, mental illness and the complexity of it.
The Lord has sent sunshine to us, spiritually and physically. Thank you for your labour of Love alongside with me, travailing in prayers especially heavy topics.
Love you all so much.
Be blessed dear sisters.❤️
Praise God for His word that I keeping finding little nuggets of knowledge or a way of seeing it in a different way each time I read it. Grateful to keep learning about God’s loving character. ❤️
Hope all you SHES have a blessed day and also take time to rest in The Lord! Many Hugs and much Love to you all ❣️
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I was looking at the Sermon on the Mount a little more in-depth today. The Chosen depicts this as something He studied for, a large group of people where there, He had to basically yell to be heard. (And I LOVE the Chosen, but sometimes I think some of their interpretations are simply that – their interpretation) (and I don’t fault them for that at all). But as I dug in a little deeper and read some commentary on this passage, it would seem to me that Jesus, seeing the crowd, tried to get away from them and go up the mountain where there would be peace and quiet, and speak to His disciples in an intimate manner. I love the picture in my mind of that; a small gathering, maybe some fruit and nuts to snack on, Jesus looking the disciples in the eye as He spoke, using a tone of love and compassion. It seems that Jesus really wanted them to grasp what He was saying, He wanted to be sure they got it: Blessed are you who are poor in spirit, blessed are you who mourn, blessed are you who thirst after righteousness…. Jesus really wants us to sit down with Him, really “hear” what He is saying, not rush thru a bible reading or devotional so we can click that To-Do off our list. Intimacy. Closeness. Face to face. Looking deep into the eyes. That’s the relationship Jesus wants with us. When we have that closeness with Him, our hearts will be in the right state. We cannot be in His presence without being changed. He changes us as we spend intimate time with Him. Isn’t that what our devotional said today? God doesn’t care if we are wearing the right brand of clothing, He doesn’t care if our nails were done professionally at a salon, He doesn’t care if our house is the prettiest on the block….. He cares about our heart. You can’t have a heart change without spending close, intimate time with Jesus.
Well said❤️
*ISN’T too big for GOD! Good grief, my typing didn’t help my message did it?? haha
LAURA DIANE, I just want to say that I empathize with your heart so much. It may not be a child of mine (Lord willing, ever), but my oldest brother (10 years my senior) decided to “marry” his partner as soon as the Supreme Court Ruling of 2013 made it “legal.” He invited us all via text message (which was a bit bizarre) and we all (my whole immediate family and our spouses) prayed about it individually and all came to the same conviction: to not participate in the ceremony…that was 11 years ago. He immediately “unfriended” all of us on social media and blocked us. Haven’t heard from him since. He hasn’t met 3 of my 4 kids. Missed milestones, funerals, etc. Just calculating the time for this comment was the first time I had thought about how LONG it’s been. As time goes on it gets easier to “accept” and trust that we have placed him in God’s hands, it is too big for God, and there’s nothing stopping us from praying for him. But oh how painful it can be when we dwell on it. He’s in his 50s now and we all are still hoping for a repentance, a redemption, and a reunion. Our Father is progressing in his Parkinson’s and my heart aches most for my parents who raised us all well, definitely did their best and it was a good home. It’s one of the circumstances in my life that I am utterly dependent on God and His sovereignty and wisdom. Sorry, long winded in my processing. Just know my heart is wrapping yours in a hug and I am praying for you.
On a different note, RHONDA you are just a delight in your upbeat humility. Not sure if you will get this reference, but you remind me of DUCKY from LAND BEFORE TIME (it’s an animated movie from the 1990s for those who don’t know). She is always chipper and happy and encouraging. That’s you. Praying for you and thanking God for the humility you long for – may you be blessed in order to bring people to God and for Him to receive the glory!
Thank you Jesus! ❤️
@TRACI GENDRON – I love your comment about the state of our hearts vs. our actions. I often times struggle with what’s right and what’s in the best interest. Lucky for us we have God who forgives easy and understands our hearts better than we do.
I love these words, and like others, have memorized the Beatitudes by using music. My son’s homeschool curriculum has scripture set to music and I’ve memorized so much since we started homeschooling 6 years ago! I’m thankful for that!
Praying for all the requests. An update on my niece, Isabelle… She is finally stable enough to be transferred from the hospital to the eating disorder clinic in the next day or two. It’s going to be so difficult for her mom to leave her there and be 10 hours away, but Izzy needs the help they can provide. Thank you for any prayers that are offered up for her and the family.
Oh, the joy that comes from knowing that when God looks at me, He doesn’t see the sins, but sees the perfect redemption of Jesus.
JOY is my word for this year.
I have been challenged to work as hard as possible to get into heaven. If you commit a crime then you’re going to hell.
We’ve all committed “crimes” (sin), as the Bible says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. But thanks to Jesus, we don’t have to work hard to get into heaven. We are saved from hell by Jesus’ death on the cross–He took the punishment so we don’t have to! “It is by faith that you are saved, not by works”. ❤️ I am so thankful for this truth, because I could never work hard enough to make up for my sins!
I need more of His light in my heart and mind.
Tina Amen!
May His light shine from us wherever we are this day. Prayers for healing, peace, jobs , families, caretakers, and whatever is on your hearts sisters today.❤️
God doesn’t just care about our actions; He cares about the state of our hearts. That statement makes a whole lot of difference in how we truly look at ourselves. It is easy to think that I had bad behavior and I need to work on it. BUT to really look at the state of our hearts…that is big. It gets to the meat of our being. We can’t hide from what is in our hearts when we truly decide to take a look.
Oh but God. He sent His only son to take those sins away so we can be considered blameless.
Rhonda, He’s got you and you’ve got this.❤️
As I read the beatitudes it brought back the episode of the Chosen where he speaks to the crowds.
Good morning, sweet SRT sisters! Thank you for your kind words Tina! I assure you that I am here each and every morning, reading with all of you and praying for all your requests. I even go back and catch the comments/requests that I missed the day before. Caregiving is so time consuming that I don’t usually have time to comment (even though I always have something to say )! I do everything that gets done around here. My heart breaks for so many of you and what you are going through. I wish I could give you a hug! Just know that Jesus is holding you in His arms and all of us are praying for you! ❤️
Kelly (NEO)—Sorry I am so late on the update about Banks! He and his twin sister just turned nine months old. He is developmentally way behind his sister because of all the time he has been in the hospital. His brain tumor is shrinking and he is finally able to eat normally (without a feeding tube). He still has a long way to go. Please keep praying for him and his sweet family. ❤️
Have a blessed day! ❤️
The Sermon on the Mount was definitely a heart check for me this morning!
Psalm 40:8 truly resonates with me as I prepare for an upcoming job interview. My prayer has been that God would make it clear on which way I should go. That he close doors that are not for me and open doors that are for me.
I always enjoy reading everyone’s thoughts on our reading! You give such great insight.
I am so thankful for Jesus and what He did for us. I can’t imagine trying to remember everything that God told the Israelites to do! The Ten Commandments would be enough but all the other rules about when you are clean and unclean, what sacrifices to bring. It would be overwhelming.
Jesus, the final sacrifice made a way for us. When our hearts get out of alignment with the God’s Word, the Holy Spirit convicts us.
God is good! So thankful that He does not change.
”Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.“
James 1:17 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/jas.1.17.NIV
Our actions flow from our hearts ❤️
I want mine to align with Gods
GM She’s!
There is just so much in the Matthew portion today (well, all of Matthew! ) and the book is a favorite of mine. Last year I memorized the Beatitudes! It was quite the challenge since I can’t memorize two sentences! But there is a song by Elevation Worship ft. Pat Barrett that’s called “Kingdom of Heaven” that sings these lyrics! I love it. And thank you to who it was that said yesterday’s scripture in Isaiah is in the song “Lion” by Elevation as well! I love songs that repeat scripture! Those are the ones I sing myself to sleep at night!
I am so thankful we come here together each morning over our cup of java, and read and meditate on scripture, encourage and lift up each other. It is truly a gift.
My leader in jail ministry asked if I wanted to lead today and I said an enthusiastic Yes! This is the first time she has asked me to lead without her being absent. I know I will be nervous because I hope I do well, and she doesn’t say…oh boy, she’s not so good at this!!! haha. Because I KNOW I am not so refined at teaching, never have been as far as standing up front and teaching (and praying aloud!!)..yet when I can sit amongst people and just talk about what I love it is easier and I get in the flow. I guess the fear of speaking is universal! You would think…after my 3 groups are going on for a year I would be comfortable, but I don’t want to be without seeking the Lord to help and guide me each time!! Lord I need you, to do your will, to align me heart, to hear your tender voice speak to me. To share your goodness, your precepts, you perfect love. (May I add that all these groups are like 15 people at most, and usually only 8 or 9, hahahahaha. I’m so silly, but fear is real!!) God, you got this, you give me you power and wisdom!! I have the Holy Ghost that is inside me!! How can I fear….My verse for this year thus far
Isaiah 55:10
“Do not fear, for I am with you.
Do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will help you.
I will uphold you will my righteous right hand.” Amen and Amen!
(I bet your prayers are doing more than we know until we get to heaven. Thank you she’s for praying for the little and big things that our sisters here request!)
I like the phrase that Alice uses when she says, “heart posture”. We can make anyone believe what we want them to believe about us by our outward appearance, actions, and even our words – but it is God alone who sees and knows our heart posture and that is who I should be striving to obey and please – not my fellow man.
A loud “amen” to Romans 8:1 – “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”!
@Laura Diane – I am so sorry for what you are going through with your daughter. That must hurt your heart so much. Praying for you and that your daughter will find it in her heart to forgive and be reconciled to you and your husband.
@Mia Faith – and all who have lost someone to suicide, may God continue to give you strength for each day as you remember your loved ones…What a great ministry you have Mia to others who have felt the same pain as you. Praise God He has used your loss to help others. ❤️
SO grateful for you ladies!! Praying for you everyday!! May you see God mightily at work!! Amen.
Romans 8:1-19
*Amen and Amen!!! I needed these verses this morning!! Thank You God!!
**Also wanted to define the difference between condemnation and conviction.
And found this: “Condemnation leads to death. Conviction leads to life.
One main difference between condemnation and conviction is where they will lead you. Condemnation leads you further away from God towards death. Conviction leads you closer to God and towards life.
Biblical condemnation is more than a feeling. It is a state of being that defines your relationship with God. When you stand before God condemned, it means your current eternal home is away from God in hell. To be condemned means you have been found guilty and have been sentenced to death.
Conviction, on the other hand, is when our wrongs have been identified and revealed. The Bible explains that Christians can be convicted of sin while not condemned. We can be found guilty of sin and yet not be sentenced to the just judgment for those sins.
In love, God makes Christians aware of sin (conviction) without giving us the sentence (condemnation) for that sin. He sent his Holy Spirit to bring conviction and to allow humans to escape condemnation. God doesn’t just remove the penalty of our sins without bringing conviction. Rather, through a loving conviction of sin God draws us to himself, causes us to repent, and leads us towards life.” -Mark Ballenger
Thank You Lord for this clarity and for always drawing us closer to You!! SO grateful!!
Psalm 40:8
*Lord, thank you so much for this scripture.. this is my heart and my desire!! Help me to live for You alone!! Amen.
Mathew 5:37
*Amen!! There is no “grey” area with God, He is “black & white”. We are either for Him or against Him!! Let that sink in… very convicting!! Let us be the same.. following, listening, waiting and obeying God, nothing more and nothing less. Help me Lord in this!! And thank You for the conviction!!
Mathew 5:48
*reflect and represent God in ALL that I do & say!! Help me Lord to do this!! Amen.
Have a beautiful day filled with His Life and Light!! ❤️
Thank you for sharing this!! I needed that clarity!!! ❤️
Matthew 5:16! Letting our lights shine glorifies God not ourselves!
400 years if silence shows us how important it was for God’s people to follow the command of ‘preparation’ from Deut. 6 (shared yesterday). That was to be their ‘hearing from God’.
On the blood – like SEARCHING, seeing the letters in red reminded me of the blood of Jesus as I read His words.
Praise God, we no longer need a blood sacrifice! Thanks to Jesus’ blood which was shed for us, we are covered with GRACE!
John MacArthur says this about Matthew 5:48- Christ sets an unattainable standard. This sums up what the law itself demanded (James 2:10). Though this standard is impossible to meet, God could not lower it without compromising His own perfection. He who is perfect could not set an imperfect standard of righteousness. The marvelous truth of the gospel is that Christ has met this standard on our behalf (see note on 2 Cor. 5:21).
ADRIENNE
SEARCHING – Two verses dear to my heart along with Ezekiel 36:26- And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.
SEARCHING – Praying with you that we may all turn to Jesus first when problems, challenges, and tempations arise❤️
MEREDITH ABRAHAM – Thank you for making the distinction between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law.
KRISTINE LOUGHMAN – 400 years of waiting…It reminded me of something else I read this morning: the last word of the OT is “curse” and the first word of Jesus’ sermon on the mount is “Blessed”.
MARIA BAER – “Are you with me?” Yes and amen! Thank you for this reminder! Also praying for your job interview today. May it be successful.
TERESA DONLEY – I am sorry to hear about your dad’s suicide and the comments you received. Hiding things is not helpful. May we bring everything to our loving God.
GWINETH52 – Continued prayers for the healing of your insomnia.
MIA FAITH – Thinking of you. May you be a light to others as you help people facing the death of loved ones.
JACI ROBINSON – Nice to meet you!
KRIS – Thank you for the reminder yesterday that just like Jesus, we need “preparation” and that this is NOT unproductive.
LAURA DIANNE – Praying for reconciliation for your daughter – both with God and with you and your husbands.
TINA – “He considered all this in preparation for our much needed saving.. Jesus lived, but quietly until the time came for Him to seen, known and to bring the good news of salvation by his grace..❤️ May He prepare us as well!
MERCY – Joining you in prayer for men and women in a depression. May they open our hearts to and for God, and may they receive His Peace. May we be good listeners and point them to God. Hold on, sister ❤️
MICHELLE ADAMS – Hope to see more of you in the comments!
KRIS – Thank you for your testimony on Day 1 of this study. God sees, hears, knows, and loves ❤️
RHONDA J. – Praying for a successful removal of your skin cancer.
MARIA BAER – Joining you in prayer for the young women in college who are anxious. Prayers for you as you faithfully serve in the prayer team of your church.
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* “Some of us”…. I need to proofread better! Can you relate?
I was listening to the end of the podcast yesterday, where Rachael & Amanda were talking about His sermon on the mount, and I was, like, “YES!!” Some of did that study recently as part of our “Grace Weeks” hiatus. (The SRT community did it a few years ago.) I would encourage you to go back and search for the beatitudes study. It was. so. good.
What is the state of my heart? Keep me and my sweet sisters’ hearts in check, Lord.
As I read Jesus’ words today, those letters in red ❤️, I thought about how I face the challenges/temptations each day. Pride drives me to try and resist the lure on my own, to come up with a solution or worse – a compromise of what I know the truth is :/ Why, why why don’t I turn to Jesus first?! I’m reminded of the mindset I’ve had and still have many times, and hear others say – well, I can’t come up with anything else so all I can do is pray … backward thinking!
Ps 51:10 & Micah 6:8 come to mind
LAURA DIANNE – praying with you for your daughter. I’ve seen hearts change in ways that I thought were nearly impossible, BUT GOD (TINA ❤️), praying the same for your daughter in God’s timing.
JACI ROBINSON – welcome!
CEE GEE ❤️
MARIA BAER – praying for the interview
Praying for requests, sisters.
Just to know because of Jesus’s life and death, we have hope. We are in Him and when God sees us, He sees Jesus! Hallelujah! We are free. All those laws and rules have been summarized in loving God and loving His people. We can complete these by His Spirit living inside us and His help. Thank You, Jesus!
The letter of the law vs the spirit of the law. The letter is easy to follow and likewise boast about. But the heart is what Jesus is talking about and what only he and I know what’s going on in there. It is so easy to put on that outward show and hide those dark places. Jesus shine your light within me. search and know my heart.
Such a beautiful take-away! Thank you for sharing!
Amen! Thank you Jesus! Blessings sweet “shes”!
Oh Jesus thank You for the salvation gift! I am so undeserving and grateful for Your Grace! Amen
There were 400 years between the Old Testament and Jesus’s arrival. Wow. Thats a lot of radio silence. A lot of waiting and wondering and forgetting and remembering. And I get impatient just waiting through traffic, ha! Thinking of those generations that never saw their faith come to fruition, yet kept faith all the same. And thinking of the people who lived alongside Jesus – what a time to be alive! And finally thinking of us, continuing to walk in Jesus’s footsteps.
God is so good to us. ❤️
I never really felt that the sermon on the Mount is an incendiary part of Jesus timeline until recently was it was pointed out to me. Theologians seem to have many opinions about it. But to me, as a simple woman, it is a beautiful reminder that walking with Jesus is not about perfection, but about the posture of our hearts, in an imperfect world, understanding that a heart that follows Jesus has changed its identity to be more like Jesus. Therefore, our actions should be aligned with that.posture.
I read a wonderful commentary on the sermon on the mount and there was a phrase that summed this portion of Jesus’ ministry beautifully— “Walking in the way of the Sermon on the Mount means walking close to Jesus. The relentless subplot to this entire sermon comes in the form of this question: Are you with me?” Phew— that is the question for all of us, Jesus lovers. Are we with Him?
Be blessed sisters! PS— I have my second interview today, pray that I do a good job, if it’s God’s will that I get it. Have a great day.
Praying that you will get the job! ❤️
Thank you Jesus for being “in the gap” for me. I pray you use me today and may I glorify You in my work. Tina, thank you for your insights. I look for your comments each day. You point us to Jesus each day. I miss Churchmouse and her insights too. I hope she is well. Happy Wednesday to all! It is going to be a great day!!
From today’s HRT:
“Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law or show up as a plan B to remove unfair rules and arbitrary regulations. Rather, in His own words, He came to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). . . .
Jesus re-calibrat[ed] His listeners’ understanding of the law. Where there was so much emphasis on outward piety, Jesus drills down and applies God’s principles to the heart. . . .
Through His fulfillment, Jesus offers release and reprieve for the heavy-laden. He offers rest for the weary. He brings grace and restoration for those who need it most: us. . . .
His love for us is one of the reasons that He didn’t abolish the law. Truthfully, the law was not the problem—our sinfulness, selfishness, and disobedience was. He walked this life all the way through, perfectly and righteously on our behalf. And in His victory, He frees us from the law to be made co-victors with Him.”
LAURA DIANNE – agreeing with you that your daughter will have her eyes opened and want reconciliation.
JESSICA H – continued prayers for Isabelle
TERESA DONLEY – continued prayers for Karen.
THERESA – continued prayers for Arlo’s recovery
Dear God, thank you for sending “Jesus to live a sinless life both inside and out” for my redemption. Let me always receive and keep Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Amen
Flying home today after bringing Mom back to her home and getting her settled. Please pray for her maintain a level of independence and safe travels for me.
“If we are to be judged not only by our actions but the state of our heart, what hope do we have? The good news is that Jesus came, not to abolish, but to fulfill the law (v.17).”
Thank you, ALICE MATAGORA
—
Dear Father,
We are nothing without You.
You look deeper than our outward actions, right into the state of our hearts. And if salvation would depend on us, we all fall short. We are all poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3).
But fortunately, it all starts with You: You came down to earth to personally take care of the mess we made (and are still making).
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin in death”. (Romans 8:1-2)
Through Jesus, we have been given a new identity, and therefore we can “Be perfect, as our heavenly father is perfect”. (Matthew 5:48).
“We are called to be who we are with all our cracks and imperfections, knowing that Your glory will shine through those cracks into the world around us. The gold of Your love will mend our brokenness into something far more beautiful than it was before”. (Paula Gooder)
It starts with You and it ends with You.
Give us the humility to recognize that we are nothing without You.
Examine our hearts and take out everything that occupies Your place.
Turn us into the salt and light of the earth and may we give You all the glory.
AMEN.
Thank you Lord for the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and your Love for us.
Thank you Jesus!
GRAMSIESUE, VICTORIA E, ANGIE, CHURCHMOUSE, LYNNE FROM ALABAMA, BLESSED BETH, MARTHA HIX, GAYLE CRAIK, ALEIDA, CATHRINE MCVEY, JENNIFER ANAPOL, ERIN K, BU.TTONBERRY, FOSTER MAMA, LINDA K, LINDA NY, CHERIE BREWER and many many more.. I miss you. We miss you. Prayerful ALL is well with y on and that the Spirit of the Lord, is with you in all you do and are… Blessings and prayers covered in much love from across the pond.❤
..so He sent Jesus to live a sinless life both inside and out so that whoever believes and receives Jesus as Lord would themselves be considered blameless before God.
This right here, has my heart skipping..
We used to have a program/show here in England, I forget what it was called, but basically the candidates had good singing voices that may have sounded like an original singer, they come in stage looking like themselves, and on going through the mist, they come back, transformed, looking like the person whose song they will sing. (Go on looking like me, (Come back looking like Ms Turner, singing Nutbush city. I wish, but I’m sure you get the drift)
I wonder, as a thought or analogy, would Jesus be our ‘mist’ through believing and receiving Him in our hearts as Lord, would transform/change/alter us in God’s eyes as blameless.?
I find that amazing! Jesus in the gap, by my believing and receiving Him, makes me look innocent of wrongdoing/faultless/perfect/ spotless/pure ( I looked up the meaning of blameless) before God..
Lord, may I always have Jesus in My heart, not because He is an easy way out, but that He IS the Way, the Truth and the Life..
BUT GOD..
AMEN.❤
A tad chilly here, with frost, so sending some warming love and blanket worthy hugs, covered in prayers for all requested and silent ones too.❤