Tag Archive for: Matthew

A Call to Completeness

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Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)

This verse can be quite intimidating, if you do not know the meaning of the word “perfect”.  I mean how many people do you know that have achieved perfection on this earth.  Yikes, I have to say I haven’t found any and I myself have quite a few imperfections.  That’s why it is so important to look into what the word perfect means.  What is the context of this verse?  What is Jesus calling us to when He calls us to a life of perfection?  Well, let’s take a look into the Greek meaning of the word “perfect”.

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Wardrobe Plan

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Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)

Do you know what an honor it is to be loved by God?  It’s a privilege beyond any this world can offer you.  I pray you are experiencing His love daily, as you read His Word and enjoy His creation all around you.  We must clothe ourselves with five things:  compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Clothe yourself with the fruit of the Holy Spirit!

Clothe yourself with the fruit of the Spirit!

The Greek word for “to clothe” is enduo, which means to sink into, to put on, to wear, or be dressed in.  In the context of this scripture it simply means to sink oneself into the very characteristics of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  The Scripture passage is telling us that we must actually put on these qualities in our lives.  We must let Christ wrap us up with the qualities that are found in this verse.  Our identity in Christ becomes stronger every day, as we live our lives out for God.  We can’t believe that these qualities will simply exist just because we call ourselves Christians.  No, they are a product of being in the Word daily and spending time with God in various ways.

Here is the break down of all five characteristics and how we can apply them to our own lives!  Your daily wardrobe should look a little like this:

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DOW ~ No Bankruptcy Here!

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Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 

This passage of scripture is often used when discussing missions.  It’s a familiar passage to many.  There is one thing that I want to make a little more familiar to you.  Let’s discuss two words in this passage and what they mean in our lives.

“Therefore go!”

What did Jesus mean when He said go?  Was He talking to all of us?  Where are we supposed to go?

First of all, yes, Jesus was talking to all of us.  Each one of us has the ability to go and make disciples when we go in His name.

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Treasured Words ~ Psalm 119 Part 2

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How can a young person stay pure?  By obeying your word.  I have tried hard to find you– don’t let me wander from your commands.  I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.  I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees.  I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us.  I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches.  I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.  I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word. (Psalm 119:9-16, NLT)

Yesterday, we learned the importance of walking with integrity for God and following the instructions of His Word.  May our actions always reflect His heart and His desires for our lives.  We can’t enter in to the next section of Psalm 119 without truly committing to walk uprightly before the Lord in every action of our daily routine.  I know I want to reflect righteousness.  I want to live a life of faithfulness for God and follow His commands of Love.  When you can commit to this, then you will be ready for phase 2.

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