Matthew 5 ends with Jesus saying, “Therefore you shall be perfect just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (v 48) He completely knocks the wind out of us who compare ourselves to others and feel like we’ve obtained some sort of religious superiority. For anytime my eyes turn to the Lord, as my standard,Continue reading “The “be perfect verse” and the freedom it actually gives!!”
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Christians should be the kindest people unbelievers know.
Jesus continues in his famous Sermon on the Mount to push us to a faith that is heart-deep and true and consistently lived out in our lives. Christians are not to look like this world. We are to live in a way that is eternally focused and notably different from the lost among us. InContinue reading “Christians should be the kindest people unbelievers know.”
Do THIS first….
Jesus knows as we live with others we will have trouble. We will encounter others with whom we disagree with and who disagree with us. We will have disputes and conflicts. We may feel we are right, but we have to be very careful about how we walk this out. As Jesus talks about heartContinue reading “Do THIS first….”
Hope for our TROUBLES
We’ve all seen the seeds of sin left to grow into a raging inferno that destroys people, and families, and communities. As a people, we’ve argued about just what laws we need as a society. As Christians, we believe those laws should be biblically based. But let’s remember, unless hearts change, laws can only everContinue reading “Hope for our TROUBLES”
Where Progressives Get It Wrong
Many, who like to think themselves progressive, suggest the New Testament is all about love not about rules or law. But in Matthew 5:17, Jesus made it clear that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. He asserted that God’s laws should be followed as evidence of a changed heart.Continue reading “Where Progressives Get It Wrong”
Sad and happy all at the same time—a Mom’s heart
My heart is sad and happy all at the same time. It’s a momma heart and it’s just apt to be like that. I’m so thrilled my kids are flying on their own. I’m sad they aren’t with me as much. We raise them to leave.I know that. We raise them to not need usContinue reading “Sad and happy all at the same time—a Mom’s heart”
We can be still. This helps me know that.
I wrote this two years a ago.It’s true again.I’m just so tired…. Maybe you are too. I wanted to study and write, but, instead, I felt the Lord asking me to just be still. To be still and know what I know… or rather …remember WHO I know. I love God’s Word, I love studyingContinue reading “We can be still. This helps me know that.”
Hold On! Encouragement for the Persecuted!
Matthew 5 records Jesus preaching the most famous sermon ever preached. It’s familiar-“Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the humble, ….those who are persecuted for righteousness” (Matt 5:2-10). But there’s something I never noticed before- He seems to pause to especially encourage those who are persecuted because of righteousness —not the poor,Continue reading “Hold On! Encouragement for the Persecuted!”
Do we walk past people with demons inside of them?
Matt 4:23-25 Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons and crowds began to follow Him. He healed the sick AND cast out demons Demons. And I wonder, I know we have the sick among us today, but what about the demon-possessed? Do we walk past those who are carrying demons inside of them? Are thoseContinue reading “Do we walk past people with demons inside of them?”
You ready?
Matthew records the calling of Peter and Andrew (Matt 4:18-20). Jesus tells them He will make them fishers of men and they immediately left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there, Jesus calls Zebedees sons, James and John, and they immediately left the boat and their father, and followed Jesus (Matt 4:21-22). TheyContinue reading “You ready?”
Societies who forsake righteousness are doomed. But there’s an even greater problem.
Jesus hears John the Baptist has been arrested and leaves Nazareth, to live in Capernaum (fulfilling yet more prophecy, see Matt 4:12-16). He then begins His earthly ministry with the word, “Repent.” “”And from then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, because the kingdom of Heaven has come near.”” (Matt 4:17) Let’s understand this —hisContinue reading “Societies who forsake righteousness are doomed. But there’s an even greater problem.”
The enemy promises freedom but delivers slavery. Test everything.
The enemy is always tempting us and sometimes he will even use God’s Word in his attempts to get us off track. The enemy tempted Jesus in the wilderness to take things in his own hands for his own satisfaction (you’re hungry, turn these stones to bread) (Matt 4:3) Jesus’ human belly was surely growlingContinue reading “The enemy promises freedom but delivers slavery. Test everything.”
Our assessment of any situation is always, ever limited.
“Allow it for now” (Matt 3:15, CSB) John the Baptist was protesting when he was asked to baptize Jesus, then Jesus tells him to “allow if for now” so prophecy could be fulfilled. John obeyed.Jesus was baptized.And God was fulfilling His plan. We are to obey the Lord even when we don’t understand just howContinue reading “Our assessment of any situation is always, ever limited.”
Weak men who did great things…
Just how much of what I do in this day will last for eternity? (Matt 3:8-12) As repented believers we are to produce fruit. Good fruit. Eternal, lasting fruit in keeping with the great gift we have been given. It occurred to me that C.S. Lewis, Charles Spurgeon, Elisabeth Elliot, Corrie Ten Boom, Amy Carmichael,Continue reading “Weak men who did great things…”
What if he said this?
“Brood of Vipers” …can you imagine being called that? Imagine the preacher walking up to the podium, looking the congregation square in the eye and saying, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We haveContinue reading “What if he said this?”
Is this on your list this week?
It’s Monday morning, I’ve got a list for the week. I bet you do too. But my early morning study tells me I’m to bear fruits in keeping with repentance. (Matt 3:7-10). One day, we will all give an account for what we’ve done with the life we’ve been given by the blood-bought sacrifice ofContinue reading “Is this on your list this week?”
Freedom from Dying
Matthew chapter 3 opens with the radical locust and wild honey-eating, camel hair clothed, John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness, and exclaiming- “Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” (Matt 3:2) Repent. Oh, that’s a word we seldom hear. Go ahead, tweet it or post it. I bet you won’t get tooContinue reading “Freedom from Dying”
Evil will not win!
I see it. Evil seems to be winning all around us. It’s hard. I don’t understand it. But it’s not something new with our culture. Evil has been with us for a long time. Matthew 2 details the fulfillment of the prophecy of “Rachel weeping for her children” as Herod slaughters countless male babies underContinue reading “Evil will not win!”
Just do the next right thing…
Something I notice as I read Matthew 1 and 2 is that God didn’t give Joseph all the steps at once—just the next one. But all the while, God was accomplishing His perfect will and working in ways Joseph couldn’t see. Joseph didn’t know the wise men were on their way with gifts. But theyContinue reading “Just do the next right thing…”
Just not THAT God…
Matthew’s gospel records the miraculous birth of the Savior. (Matt 1:18-25) The oh-so familiar story has been the subject of countless movies, books and church programs. And we often, breeze past these verses. But Jesus did come.Prophecy was fulfilled.God sent His Son to us! And if this were not true, there would be no pointContinue reading “Just not THAT God…”
Kim Jaggers Ministry 