Matthew Chapter 5

I know this is long, but this has been one of my favorite chapters out of Matthew. I'm not sure why it means so much to me, but it does. I hope you enjoy this post. May God Bless You!, L

Matthew 5 (King James Version)

1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
27Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
31It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
33Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
38Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Marks of the New Testament Church

If you have never heard of a book called "The Trail of Blood", by J.M. Carroll, you should look it up. There is a website called http://www.biblepreaching.com/, where you can print off a copy or it will give you an address where you can purchase as many copies as you want up to 24 for $2.00 each. This is church history from the first church of Jerusalem created by Christ. If you want to find a true church in the town in which you live, one that follows the teachings of Christ, these are the marks you take and compare the church you are considering to see if they are a true church. I will list the marks and the verses below. May God Bless you with your reading of God's word and your search for a true church.

1. Christ is the head and founder. His is the lawgiver and the church is the executive.

Matthew 16:18 (King James Version)
18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Colossians 1:18 (King James Version)
18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

2. The bible is its only rule of faith and practice.

2 Timothy 3:15-17 (King James Version)
15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

3. Its name: Church or Churches. Matt 16:18 (see Mark 1)

Revelation 22:16 (King James Version)
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

4. Its polity, Congregation - all members are equal.

Matthew 20:24-28 (King James Version)
24And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
25But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Matthew 23:5-12 (King James Version)
5But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
6And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

5. Members are only saved people.

Ephesians 2:21 (King James Version)
21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord

1 Peter 2:5 (King James Version)
5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ

6. Ordinances of the church - believer's baptism, followed by the Lord's supper.

Matthew 28:19-20 (King James Version)
19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen

These are only the first 6 Marks of The New Testament Church. There are 11 altogether. I will post the other 5 tomorrow. Please read the scriptures and check out the website. In these times, don't be lead astray by false prophets and churches, and teachers.

May God Bless you all and do so all the day long...L

Trust - Today's Bible Verse

2 Samuel 22:31

As for God, His way is perfect;The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

I've added this verse to my email signature today. I have issues with trust. I don't trust easily and in the past I have trusted people who violated that trust. It is hard for me to develop relationships because of my past experiences. Once my trust has been violated, it takes me a long time to trust that person again, and usually it is not to the same extent that it was in the beginning. I pray that God will help me with this issue. I trust in the Lord, He has never let me down, and although, we are going through tough times now, I know he is protecting us. May God bless you today! L

Back on Track - God's Word

Over the last three weeks I fell away from writing in my journal and going to God everyday. Not that it is an excuse, but with the schedule at the movie theater and trying to keep things going and taking care of my husband, I lost track and just didn't seem to have time. I know that was Satan, stepping in and trying to get me away from God. I do strive to live by the Will of God and in His word. I don't always succeed and I know not everyone does every day, every minute. If we did, we would live in a perfect world, and that is not possible. However, yesterday after an exhausting search to look for a place to live, and after an emotional realization that without God's help we are not going to find a place, I sat down and had a long talk with God and wrote in my journal. So today, here is my bible verse. My goal is to post a new verse everyday, learning the word of God as I go along. I know that He is leading us to where we need to go. I'm praying that He will strengthen the faith of my husband, Norman and myself as we go forward. May God Bless you in everything you do. Go to the Lord each day and thank Him for what He has provided. L

1 Thessalonians 5:17-19 (New King James Version)
17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit.

Directions - Bible Verse

I posted in my other blog "Which direct am I going?" Here is a bible verse that came up when I was reading. Hopefully it will give someone some inspiration and help some one along the way.

Hebrews 13:7 (New King James Version)
Concluding Religious Directions 7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

God's Masterpiece

My sister sent me an email this morning. She knows that I am trying very hard to learn to live in the word of God. In the email was the following bible verse:

Ephesians 2:10 (New King James Version)
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Also in the email was a link to a video by two guys who played out the verse above. I thought it was worth sharing and hopefully it will help some one. I've included the link below. May God Bless you all! L

"God's Chisel" by the Skit Guys:http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=849dc7c803281df74bb2&sp=1&SOURCE=DBV