“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.  For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.” v. 1-2 (NLT)

Jesus tells us to examine or own motives and conduct intead of judging others.  The traits that bother us in others are often the habits we have ourselves.  Our bad habits and behavior patterns are the very ones that we most want to change in others.  Do you find it easy to magnify others’ faults while excusing your own?  If you are ready to criticize someone, check to see if you deserve the same criticism.  Judge yourself first, and then lovingly forgive and help your neighbor.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” v. 33-34

It is easy to get consumed by the things of this world!  We turn on the TV and see reality shows that put people in unrealistic environments and assume that that is the way life is supposed to be.  Sadly we begin to look down on ourselves because we haven’t kept up with the Jones.

Jesus gives hard but to the point teaching here about money.  When you persue money as the primary nessity in life, you become controlled by the lack or abundance of money.  However, money is only temporary.  Situation change so fast, and money can be lost very quickly, thus causing you to compete in the rat race to always have more.

Today, instead of thinking about money, lets think about all the things God has blessed us with.  Lets cast our cares on him and not worry about today, but pray about the things going on and see if results don’t change!  Father help us to live in a different mindset!

“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.” v. 1 (NLT)

Let’s be honest, we all want recognition for doing things well.  We wan to know that we met a standard or surpassed it.  In this passage today, Jesus addresses 3 things that we should do (giving, prayer, and fasting), not for the applause of people, but to please God.  When we get these out of place we no longer do them to please God, but to have people look at us and applaud.  Jesus isn’t saying that at times people won’t hear us pray, or find out that we fasted or gave, He is simply saying that it should happen in our secret place with God first.

When we have that special time alone with God “our secret place” He begins to transform us from the inside out.  He begins to change the way we pray, give, and fast.  We begin to pray as the Lord leads, we give as the Lord leads, and we fast not for others to know, but that God would see that we have a burden and desire for change to happen.  We do it, out of our Love for the Father.  This is what is pleasing to Him.

Let’s learn from Jesus Words and find a secret place to meet with God!

“If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” v. 47-48 (NLT)

There is so much stuff in these to chapters of the Bible.  I could spend all year reading Matthew chapters 5-7 and learn something more everyday.  Really these are, “Life Lessons with Jesus.”  If I am wanting to be more like Christ, then why not look at what he says?  In these verses, He teaches about divorce (something the world really needs), revenge (ouch), promises/commitments (saying yes and saying no), Loving People (even your enemies.)

This is quite the list, I find myself falling short in some of these respects do to fear, business, selfishness, and pride.  To be honest, sometimes it is just much easier to avoid, than to open ourselves up for potential hurt and pain.  But the good news, we become more like Christ the more we do these things.  Isn’t that our gaol as Christ Followers?