If we ask ourselves this question before we do anything things will improve and change the world around us. Jesus changes the world by changing me. Every thing we say and do effects our neighbor, our family, our enemy, and the world. Every thing we say and do creates a ripple effect like a pebble dropped on a lake the ripples continue and continue. We can create love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, self control, and patience or we can choose to do the opposite. What did Jesus do? What does Jesus us lead us to do? God is Love.
1 John 2:6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk as He walked.
The book of Matthew has much of Jesus teachings. Chapters 5-7 are really good place to start. God changes the world by changing each of us; our God is a personal God. God reaches for us wherever we are. Will you let Him change you, love you? I promise you will be glad you did.
Matthew 22:36-40 Teacher which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him,”You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first great commandment and the second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Who is our neighbor? See Luke 10:25-37.) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Matthew 5:43-45 You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy, But I say to you love your enemies, bless those that curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven for He makes the sun rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
Read this verse carefully: Matthew 6:12 and forgive us our debts as WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS. Do we forgive others the way we want God to forgive us?
Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 7:7 Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you.
Read Matthew again and again. Maybe read it every day for a week, maybe a month. See if the change God begins in you brings peace, love, joy, kindness, goodness faithfulness, self control, and patience. We all want these things let’s begin to give them. To receive a friend first we have to be a friend.
Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of Mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock. A solid foundation is strong.
Lord God we thank You so much and yet can never thank You enough for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to show us the way, the truth, and the life. To show us who You really are. That You love us and want what is best for us. Lord God in Jesus name increase in us a desire to follow Jesus, our Shepard, our King, and our Savior. To lead a life that is pleasing to You that we may truly be a light for You in this world. Help us through Your great power to reach those around us and truly let them see You in us. Lord God we know we stumble please help us to run to You and repent and make it right with others. David was a man after Your own heart. David still made mistakes but this we know David ran to You agreed he had sinned and fallen short and asked for Your forgiveness and You in your great mercy forgave him and restored him. Though David still faced the consequence of his sin he had peace knowing You were in control and loved him. Help us Lord to plant good seed so that it brings back the good fruit for which You send it. Thank You Lord God for we know You are Sovereign over all things. The world and all its fullness belongs to You.
Mighty, Counselor , Prince of Peace.
In Jesus name amen.
