Love your Enemy

 

What Jesus Said - The Sermon on the Mount

Seeing evil persons prosper galls everyone, but Jesus said misfortune and good things come to all - good and evil alike.  Anyone can dislike another, even with just cause, but Jesus asks you to rise to a new level of respectfulness. Pray for all who mistreat you and ask God to bless them.

Matthew 5:43-47 (TLB) 43 “There is a saying, ‘Love your friends and hate your enemies.’ 44 But I say: Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way you will be acting as true sons of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust too. 46 If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even scoundrels do that much. 47 If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even the heathen do that.

10/26/2025

Go the Extra Mile

 

What Jesus Said - The Sermon on the Mount

Jesus said to have a generous spirit even in contentious situations.  Go the extra mile (as he did). If you must go to prison, be a positive person in that population. If you are asked to give, be a giver (as well as you are able) and know that all humans are weak vessels.

Matthew 5:40-42 (TLB) 40 If you are ordered to court, and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat too. 41 If the military demand that you carry their gear for a mile, carry it two. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.

10/19/2025

Turn the Other Cheek

What Jesus Said - The Sermon on the Mount

A “slap in the face” in Bible times meant a verbal insult, not a physical assault. To turn the other cheek symbolized talking your differences out face-to-face, if you could. If you want to move toward resolution, your ego must be kept in check. Returning insults won’t get you there. 

Matthew 5:38-39 (TLB) 38 “The law of Moses says, ‘If a man gouges out another’s eye, he must pay with his own eye. If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the one who did it.’ 39 But I say: Don’t resist violence! If you are slapped on one cheek, turn the other too.

10/12/2025

Say Yes or Say No Only

What Jesus Said - The Sermon on the Mount

Don’t promise or do anything you know God will not bless. God’s desire is that you be trustworthy, just as he is. When you live in this way, you will have what you need to follow through on your promises. Keep it simple, as God does, and you will be a trustworthy person.

Matthew 5:33-37 (TLB) 33 “Again, the law of Moses says, ‘You shall not break your vows to God but must fulfill them all.’ 34 But I say: Don’t make any vows! And even to say ‘By heavens!’ is a sacred vow to God, for the heavens are God’s throne. 35 And if you say ‘By the earth!’ it is a sacred vow, for the earth is his footstool. And don’t swear ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the capital of the great King. 36 Don’t even swear ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. 37 Say just a simple ‘Yes, I will’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Your word is enough. To strengthen your promise with a vow shows that something is wrong.

10/5/2025