Tabatha

The law is found in ( Deuteronomy 24:1-4 ) . In Moses day as well as in Jesus' day , the practice of marriage fell far short of God's intention. The same is true today. Jesus said that Moses gave this law only because of the people's hard hearts- permanent marriage was God's intention. But because sinful human nature made divorce inevitable. Moses instituted some laws to help the victims. These were civil laws designed especially to protect the women who, in that culture , were quite vulnerable when living alone . Because of Moses' law, a man could no longer just throw his wife out- he had to write a formal letter of dismissal. This was a sad step toward civil rights , for it made men think twice about divorce. God designed marraige to be indissoluble. Instead of looking for reasons to leave each other, married couples should concentrate on how to stay together. Although divorce was easy in Old Testament times ( 19:7 ) , it is not what God originally intended . Couples should decide against divorce from the start and build their marriage on mutual commitment . ( 19: 4 ) " Haven't you read , " Jesus replied , " that at the beginning the Creator 'Made them male and Female, (5) and said , 'For this reason a man will leave His Father and Mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' (6) So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not seperate. (8) Jesus replied , " Moses permitted you to divorced your wives because your heart were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. (9) I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultry." ( Gen. 1;27 Gen. 2: 24 )

God gave marriage as a gift to Adam and Eve. They were created perfect for each other. Marriage was not just for convenience, nor was it brought about by any culture. It was instituted by God and has three basic: (1 ) the man leaves his parents and, in a public act, promises to his wife; ( 2 ) the man and woman are joined together by taking responsibility for each other's welfare and by loving the mate above all others; ( 3 ) the two become one flesh in the intimacy and commitment of sexual union that is reserved for marriage. Strong marriages include all three of the aspects. God's creative work was not complete until He made woman. He could have made her from the dust of the ground, as He made man. God chose, however, to make her from the man's flesh and bone. In so doing, He illustrated for us that in marrage man and woman symbolically become one flesh. This is a mystical union of the couple's hearts and lives. Throughout the Bible, God treats this special partnership seriously. If you are married or planning to be married, are you willing to keep the commitment that makes the two of you one? The goal in marriage should be more than friendship; it should be oneness. Do people need to be Christians to be joined as one flesh? No! ( Ephesians 5:23, 32 ) Marriage is a living symbol of Christ and the church. Marriage is based on the principled practice of love, not on feelings. The making into one flesh can be accomplished by religious ceremony and by natural law. In different countries there are many different practices of performing the wedding. How ever it is done is still permanent for life until death do you part. The Pharisees hoped to trap Jesus, They were trying to trick Jesus by having Him choose sides in a i theological controversy. Two schools of thought represented two opposing views of divorce. One group supported divorce for almost any reason. The other believed that divorce could be allowed only for marital unfaithfulness. In Jesus answer, however, Jesus focused on marriage rather than divorce, He pointed out that God intended marriage to be permanent and gave four reasons for the importance of marriage ( 19; 4-6 ). God designed marriage to be indissoluble . Instead of looking for reasons to leave each other, married couples should concentrate on how to stay together. ( 19: 3-9 ).

In Matthew 19: 1-12) , the Pharisees are asking their questions about divorce "to test Him", trying to put Jesus on the spot, to force Him to take a controversial stand that would alienate people. The Pharisees themselves didn't even agree on the answer. The more lenient rabbinical school of Hillel interpreted Deuteronomy 24:1 as allowing divorce for any reason, even a wife spoiling her husband's dinner. As a result of this interpretation, divorce was widespread in Jesus day. (3) But this was still an issue of debate, since the stricter school of Shammai believed that the term in Deuteronomy referred only to unchastity. Matthew 5; 31,32 ) Divorce is as hurtful and destructive today as in Jesus day. God intends marriage to be a lifetime commiment ( Gensis 2:24 ). When entering into marriage. people should never consider divorce an option for solving problems or a way out of a relationship that seems dead . In these verse , Jesus is also attacking those who purposely abuse the marriage contract using divorce to satisty their lusty desire to marry someone else. Are your actions today helping your marriage grow stronger, or are you tearing it part. ( Matthew 5 : 32 ) Jesus said that divorce is not permissible except for unfaithfulnesss. This does not mean that divorce should automatically occur when a spouse commits adultry. The word translated " unfaithfulness" implies a sexually immoral life style, not a confessed and repented act of adultry. Those who discover that their partner has been unfaithful should first make every effort to forgive. reconcil and restore the marriage relationship rather than for excuses to leave it. ( Matthew 5:33 ff ) Here Jesus was emphasizing the importance of telling the truth. People were breaking promises and using sacred language casually and carelessly. Keeping oaths and promises is important, it builds trust and makes committed human relationships possible. The bible condemns maing vows or taking oaths casually, giving your word while knowing that you won't keep it, or swearing falsely in God's name. ( Deuteronomy 24: 1-4 ) Some think this passage supports divorce, but that is not the case, it simply recognizes a practice that already existed in Israel. All four verses must be read to understand the point of the passage; it certainly is not suggesting that a man divorce his wife on a whim. Divorce was a permanent and final act for the couple.Once divorced and remarried to others, they could never be remarried to each other ( 24:4 ) This restriction was to prevent casual remarriage after a frivolous seperation. The intention was to make people think twice before divorcing.

Your message really touched my heart thank you s8nfighter ( Tabatha )

That such looks and such dalliances are so very dangerous and destructive to the soul, that it is better to lose the eye and hand that thus offend then to give way to sin, and perish eternally in it. So many do not realize the giving in to fleshly desires causes not only destruction to the body, but also destruction to the mind and the heart. Self image is destroyed. It is hard for a person to know the difference between Love and **** once they have entered in to that free sex. They lose trust of a true relationship. Once a person has come into that marriage union. after sharing their body with so many, It is hard to know the difference of what real Godly love is. Jealously becomes a part of that relationship. So sad, what could be pure has become tarnished. **** is a tool of the devil to destroy something God meant to be so beautiful.

We are taught that there is such a thing as heart-adultry, adulterous thoughts and dispositions, which never proceed to the act or fornication; and perhaps the defilment which these give to the souls, that is here so clearly asserted, was not only included in the seventh commandment, but was signified and intened in many of those ceremonial pollutions under the law, for which they were to wash their clothers and bathe their fleshin water. Whosoever lookth on a woman ( not only another man's wife, as some would have it, but any woman), to **** after her has committed adultry with her in his heart, ( Math. 5-28 ) This command forbids not on the acts of fornication and adultry, but. ( 1 ) All appetites to them , all ******* after the forbidden object; this is the beginning of sin, **** conceiving ( James 1: 15 ) It is a bad step towards the sin; and where the **** is dwelt upon and approved, and the wanton desire is rolled under the tongue as a sweet morsel, It is the commission of sin, as far as the heart can do it;If it prevail not in what it says; All approaches toward them; feeeding the eye with the light of the forbidden fruit; not only looking for that end, that I may ****: but looking till I **** or looking to gratify the ****, where satisfaction cannot be obtained. The eye is both the outlet and the inlet Men sin but devils tempt to sin. I would turn away from those things that would tempt and ask the Holy Spirit to help me Also cover my mind with thr blood of Jesus. Stay away from movie, shut the internet off. Get rid of the TV> I can not get the Dots out where the word **** is! Counseling a brother or sister re: *****. I would pray with them and do deliverence.

Jesus was very up front about the difference in the worlds reality and God reality. Jesus repeatedly makes it clear that what they had been told by their religious tradition and leaders is, at best incomplete.--" You have heard that it was said... but I tell you the design of ths world is different than God's design. God is not fooled by the language we use or the front we display. Because we are completely transparent to God aor hearts are the reality. ( Matthew 5: 27-30 ) " You have heard that it was said, " Do not commit adultry.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultry with his or her heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. and if your right hand causes you to sin cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go to hell.pronography is a strong and effective helper in the destruction of many. It is not only men who connect with the power of and . If lustful looking is so grievous a sin, then those who dress and expose themselves with the desire to be looked at and lusted after... are not less but perhaps more guilty. In this matter it is only to often the case that men sin but women tempt them to do so-- ( A.W. Pink ) pronography is a tool that is used to reject Jesus' purpose' pornrgraphy turns women into objects of exploitation-it demeans women. trains men to think of women as having no intrinsic value other than- the value is in their capacity to.. pronography enslaves us: ( John 8:8-34 ) Jesus replied, " I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ( 2 peter 2: 19 ) '... a man ia a slave to whatever has mastered him." Going to prostitutes is let Satan tempt your flesh into committing a sinful act of distruction to your body and soul. Once you have committed this act you have become enslaved to sin of addiction. Also there are deseases of all nature. which has begun to lead you down a path of destruction. Who are the " victims" whom Satan deceives and pollutes through pronography? The women who pose. The men who view and become addicted despite their shame. Thewives who suffer isolation, shame, and assult. The children who are abused The women who are raped and eve some murdered The society that bears the cumulative pain of divorce, crime, disorder and rejection. Victims? We are all victims.

The command is here laid down ( Math. 5 : 27 ), Thou shalt not commit adultery; which includes a prohibition of all other acts of uncleanness, and the desire of them: but the Pharisees, in their expositions of this command, made it to extend no further than the act of adultery, suggesting, that if the iniquity was only regarded in the heart, and went no further, God could not hear it , would not regard it and therefore they thought it enough to be able to say that they were no adulterers. It is here explained in the strictness of it, in three things, which would seem new and strange to those who had been always governed by the tradition of the elders, and look all for oracular that they taught. We are hear taught, that there is such a thing as heart- adultery, adulterous thoughts and dispositions, which never proceed to the act of adultry or fornication; and perhaps the defilement which these give to the soul, that is here so clearly asserted, was not only included in the seventh commandment, but was signified and intended in many of those cermonial pollutions under the law, for which they wash their clothes, and bathe their flesh in water. Whosoever looketh on a woman not only another man's wife, as some would have it, but any woman, to after her, has committed adultery with her in his heart, ( Math. 5:28 ). This command forbids not only the acts of fornication and adultery, but, ( 1. ) All appetites to them, all after the forbidden object; this is the beginning of the sin, conceiving; it is a bad step towards the sin; and where the is dwelt upon and approved, and the wanton desire is rolled under the tongue as a sweet morsel, it is the commission of sin, as far as the heart can do it; there wants nothing but convenient opportunity for the sin itself. The mind is debauched. is conscience baffled or biassed: biassed, if it say nothing against the sin; baffled, if it prevail not in what it says. ( 2 ). All approaches toward them; feeding the eye with the sight of the forbidden fruit; not only looking for that end, that I may ; but looking till I do , or looking to gratify the , where further satisfaction cannot be obtained. The eye is both the inlet and outlet of a great deal of wickedness of this kind, What need have we, therefore, with Holy Job, to make a covenant with our eyes, to make this bargain with them that they should have the pleasure of beholding the light of the sun and the works of God, provided they would never fasten or dwell upon anything that might occasion impure imaginations or desires; and under this penalty, that if they did, they must smart for it in penitential tears ( Job 31: 1 ) What have we the covering of the eyes for, but to restrain corrupt glances, and to keep out of their defiling impressions? This forbids also the using of any other of our senses to stir up . If ensnaring looks are forbidden fruit, These precepts are hedges about the law of heart- purity, ( Math. 5:8 ). And if looking be , they who dress and deck, and expose themselves, with design to be looked at and lusted after are no less guilty. Men sin, but the Devil tempt to sin.

The Old Testament law said it is wrong for a person to have sex with some one other than his or her spouse. But Jesus said that the desire to have sex with someone other than your spose is mental adultery ( fornication ) and thus sin. Jesus emphasized that if the act is wrong, then so is the intention . To be faithful to your spouse with your body but not your mind is to break the trust so vital to a strong marriage. Jesus is not condeming natural interest in the opposite sex or even healthy sexual desire, but the deliberate and repeated filling of one's mind with fantasies that would be evil if acted out. ( Romans 12 : 2 ) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- His good , pleasing and perfect will. ) Some think that if lustful thoughts are sin, why shouldn't a person go ahead and do the lustful actions too? Acting out sinful desires is harmful in several ways: ( 1 ) it causes people to excuse sin rather than to stop sinning: ( 2 ) it destroys marrages : ( 3 ) it is deliberate rebellion against Gos's Word. (4 ) it always hurts someone else in addition to the sinner. Sinful action is more dangerous than sinful desire . and that is why desires should not be acted out. Nevertheless, sinful desires is just as damaging to righteousness. Left unchecked , wrong desires will result in wrong actions and turn people away from God. ( Exodus 20: 17 ) You shal not covet/ your neighbor's house.You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. ( Exodus 20 : 14 ) You shall not commit adultry. ( Math. 5 : 27 ) You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultry. ( 28 ) but I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultry with her in his heart. Sex outside of the marriage with a partner is lustful and considered fornication and a sinful act in the eyes of God. **** breaking the tenth commandment is desiring something that belongs to someone else. Remember David's lustful heart caused him to murder to get what he wanted.

It is easy to say we love God when that love doesn't cost us anything more than weekly attendance at a religious service. But the real test of our love for God is how we treat the people in front of us--- Our church brothers and sisters, how we deal with mistreatment or offenses from someone, How we deal with attitudes towards fellow believers. We cannot truly love God while neglecting to forgive and settle things peaceablely with out being angry. Anger is a sin the can put murder in our heart if we do not submitt our thoughts to The Holy Spirit. We must let our mind be transformed into the mind of Christ. I always ask myself what would Christ do, and then pray that the Holy Spirit will help me put the flesh under the Blood of Jesus Amen

Broken relationships can hinder our relationship with God. If we have a problem or grievance with a friend or believer, we should resolve the problem as soon as possible . We are hypocrites if we claim to love God while we hate others. Our attitudes toward others reflect our relationship with God ( 1 John 4; 20 ) In Jesus' day, someone who couldn't pay a debt was thrown into prison until the debt was paid. Unless someone came to pay the debt for the prisoner, he or she would probably die there. It is practical advice to resolve our differences with our enemies before their anger causes more trouble ( Proverbs 25: 8-10). You may not get into a disagreement that takes you to court,But even small conflicts mend more easily if you try to make peace right away . In a broader sense. These verses advise us to get things right with our brothers and sisters before we have to stand before God.

Broken relationship can hinder our relationship with God . If we have a problem or grievance with with a friend, we should resolve the problem as soon as possible. We are hypocrites if we claim to love God while we hate others. Our attitudes toward others reflect our relationships with God. ( 1 John 4: 20 ). ( Mark 11: 25 ) And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in Heaven may forgive you your sins. We must be sensitive to the situations these matters must be addressed quickly. To God, reconciling a relationship is important, it not only frees you but it frees the person in bondage to unforgiveness. Have the offender confess specifically to the offended what was done or said wrong caused the offense. ( 1 John 1:9 ), demonstrates to the party the offender's godly sorrow, the offender's knowlegge of the sin committed, and the offender's willingness to accept responsibility and consequences for their actions. They are willing to repent and forgive in order to restore the relationship. If at any time an offender is unwilling to listen to how the offended brother was sinned against, or if the offender is not willing to ask for forgiveness and be reconciled, the offender must be confronted with his unwillingness to change. If the offender persists in a wrong attitude, then you must proceed according to the biblical principles in ( Matthew 18: 15-20 ) If the offender is unwilling to listen or begin the forgiveness process and be reconciled. In that case, the offended must be confronted with his unwillingness to forgive. If the offended does not repent of an unforgiving heart, he must be taken through the next step in the ( Matthew 18: 15- 20 ), process. If the offender cannot state specifically what he did or said that was wrong, his confession is complete. If the offender finds he cannot remember enough of the facts of his offense, he should ask the offended, ( be sure the offender has the correct spiritual attitude to hear ) to help the offender recall from the offended's perspective, what was done or said wrongly. If not able to remember then best to leave it alone and pray the Holy Spirit will reveal what ever it was. If the offended is not willing to share how he was sinned against by the offense, he may be acting as a Pharisee ( Not really wronged, but only interested in being judgemental in a unbiblical way ( Matthew 7:1-5 ). Or, if the offended is not willing to seek reconciliation and is hanging on to his bitterness and resentment, the offended should be confronted with his " unspiritualness" and if unwilling to change, should be taken to the next step in the ( Matthew 18: 15-20 ) process.

When Jesus said, " But I tell you" he was not doing away with the law or adding His own beliefs. Rather, He was giving a fuller understanding of why God made that law in the first place. For example , Moses said, " You shall not murder" ( exodus 20:13 ) Jesus taught that we should not even become angry enough to murder, for then we have already committed murder in our heart The Pharisees read this law and , not having literally murdered any-one, felt righteous. Yet they were angry enough with Jesus that they would soon plot His death, though they would not do the dirty work themselves. We miss the intent of God's Word when we read His rules for living without trying to understand why He made them. When do you keep God's rules but close your eyes to His intent? Killing is a terrible sin, but anger is a great sin too be-cause it also violates God's command to love. Anger in the case refers to a seething brooding bitterness against someone. It is a dangerous emotion that always threaten to leap out of control leading to violence emotional hurt, increased mental stress, and spiritual damage. Anger keeps us from developing a spirit pleasing to God Have you ever been proud that you didn't strike out and say what was really on your mind? Self-control is good., but Christ wants us to practice thought- control as well, jesus said that we will be held accountable even for angry attitudes.

If Jesus did not come to abolish the law, does that mean all the Old Testament laws still apply to us today? In the Old Testament there were three categories of law: ceremonial civil, and moral. (1) The ceremonial law related specifically to Israel's worship ( Leviticus 1: 2,3 for example ). Its primary purpose was to point toward to Jesus Christ: these laws, therefore, were no longer, necessary after Jesus ' death and resurrection. While we are no longer bound by ceremonial laws, the principles behind them-- to worship and love a Holy God-- still apply. Jesus was often accused by the Pharisees of violating ceremonial law. ( 2 ) The civil law applied to daily living in Israel ( Deuteronomy 24: 10,11 for example). Because modern society and culture are so radically different from that time and setting, all of these guidelines cannot be followed specifically. But the principles behind the commands are timeless and should guide our conduct, Jesus demonstrated these principles by example. ( 3) The moral law ( such as the Ten Commandments ) is the direct command of God, and it requires strict obedience ( Exodus 20: 20 : 13 for example ) The moral law reveals the nature and will of God, and it still applies today. Jesus obeyed the law completely. In a church where the Old Testament is abolished from our Christian Faith there is no Spirit of God. Man has taken control and their laws are pre- domanant In a church where it is filled with legalism The Holy Spirit is not allowed to move in the gifting and the prophetic is not allowed. It is a sin filled church full of fleshly control.. It is not God's church it is ruled by man. And the people make their own rules. There fore there is a lot of disobedience. I would consider it a very carnal church. Much like the Corinthian church. Many of todays churches are so full of man building his own kingdom. You hardly find the Holy Spirit there. Lots of self.

Jesus said to rejoice when we're persecuted. Persecution can be good because ( 1 ) It takes our eyes off the earthly rewards, ( 2 ) It strips away superficial belief, ( 3 ) it strengthens the faith of those who endures, And ( 4 ) our attitude through it serves as an example to follow. The fact that we are being persecuted proves we have been faithful. If we are to much like the world we are worthless. Christians should not blend in with everyone else, Instead , we should affect others positively, just as salt brings out the best flavor in food. Much as how salt adds flavor to food, so I believe we as " salt of the earth" should make a difference in other people's lives, be it through good works, witnessing to them, or simply being a friend in their time of need. During Jesus ministry on earth, the sick were healed, the lame walked and Jesus even befriended and dined with those thrown out and seen as outcasts. What further examples do we need as a guide to living a life like Christ. Just as only a pinch of salt is enough to make any dish taste much much better. If we live for Christ, we will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like. Be a beacon of truth, Don't shut your light off from the rest of the world. ( Mathew 5:14 Isaiah 60:1 ) Arise shine, for your light has come, and the Glory of the Lord rises upon you". We are to be salt for the world and light for the world--- to the Glory of God. If we suffer in a positive and Joyful attitude it brings Glory to Christ. Praise God for all things and continue to do good deeds and be a blessing to those that are hurting and have nothing. Let Christ always be seen through us. Was Jesus suffering necessary? Yes, because He was an example for us. He was showing us that what ever we would go through and suffer He had already gone through those things before us. Yes our suffering is necessary It builds charcater and strengthens our faith to endure to the end. When Christ calls His Bride unto Him We will be overcomers in all things. ( Romans 12:2 ) God has good, pleasing and perfect plans for His children. He wants us to be transformed people with renewed minds, living to honor and obey Him. Because He wants only what is best for us, and because He gave His Son to make our new life possible, we should joyfully give ourselves as living sacrifices for His service. It must be firmly planted in our minds to " be transformed by the renewing of your mind. ' ' Only when the Holy Spirit renews, re- educates and redirects our minds, are we truly transformed.

Can you hide a city that is sitting on top of a hill? Its light at night can be seen for mile. If we live for Christ, we will glow like lights , showing others what Christ is like, We hide our light by (1) being quiet when we speak, ( 2 ) going along with the crowd .( 3 ) denying the light. ( 4 ) letting sin dim our light. ( 5 ) not explaining our light to others, or ( 6 ) ignoring the needs of others. Be a beacon of truth-- don't shut your light off from the rest of the world. Many Judean cities were founded on the summits or sides of mountains, and travelers could see them afar. Perhaps Jesus pointed out such a city, telling His disciples that they were like it. The city built on a important location can be seen by many eyes over a wide area, representing a disciple's far ranging and widespread exposure to others. Jesus' illustration of a shining lamp illuminating the home suggests a disciple's more intimate influnce. By design, a Christian's action cannot be hidden from the eyes of either our families or the world at large. This being the case, he must live a righteous, Holy, humble, and pure life, letting his 'light' so shine before men ( and thus )........glorify your Father in Heaven. We Glorify the Father by bearing the fruit of the Spirit and doing good works. by correctly praising and honoring Him, and by being led to worship Him properly in obedience. We provide a witness to the world when they see in our lives excellence of God's way and the power and purity of the truth. We learn five principles in this parable. (1) God's truth cannot be concealed. (2 ) Where light is not manifest in our lives, we make no witness. ( 3 ) Those who profess Christianity yet live worldly people prove that they are truly not converted. (4 ) Attempting to hide our Christianity betrays God's trust, injures the cause of goodness, and renders our lives useless. ( 5 ) Good actions will be seen, leading people to honor God. No sincere and humble Christian lives in vain, for at midnight even the feeblest light is of use.

If a seasoning has no flavor, It has no value. If Christians make no effort to affect the world around them. they are of little value to God. If we are too much like the world, we are worthless. Christians should not blend in with everyone else. In stead, we should affect others positively, just as seasoning brings out the best flavor in food. We should be bringing out flavor in the lost and dying world. Our witness should be of Christ dying on the cross. Our testamony should be He died for all mankind. Yes, it is possible for a believer to detect such symptoms in himself or herself through the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Secular people would call us hypocrates if we are a"de-saltified"Christian. Other Christians notice we are being false and not true to God's word and His commandments. We can "resaltify" our life through repentence, turn from our wicked ways and never live like the world again.

Salt was used as a preservative up till the time when cold storage in the form of refrigerators was available to the masses, Sat is the basic condiment that adds flavor to food. WE ARE PRESERVATIVES: In much of the ancient world where the preservation of bodies after death was a religious significance salt was very much necessary ingredient. The same applies to the preservation of food where salt was used to preserve food for the winter months, or help keep food past their natural expiration dates. Just as salt is a preservative, so are we Christians! We don't help preserve dead bodies or food, but we each are to observe and preserve or keep the teachings of God. Dictionary.com defines the word "preserve" as #1 to keep alive or in existence #2 to keep safe from harm or injury #3 To keep up; maintain Therefore. in very much the same way, we who love God are to preserve, to keep up and maintain His will and commandments. For is it not said: "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" ( James 2: 20 ) KJV. BEING CHRISTIANS WHO ARE WORTH OUR SALT! How does this aspect of salt apply to us Christians? Basically, the question is " are we worth our salt"? In other words , are we able stewards of God's work that our Lord Jesus Christ entrusted to us? Remember the parable of the servants who were given talents when their master was going away? In much the same way, God gives each of us talents that we are to use for His Glory! And in much the same way that servants who made good their talents were praised by the master on His return, so shall we receive our just rewards when our Lord returns if we are "worth our salt" with the gifts He bestowed upon us. Being Salty The works mentioned above refer to the keeping of and obedience to God's commandments as being necessary in addition to faith. There's another kind of works--- good deeds--- that will never be sufficient for us to be saved, are what will make us "salty" When was the last time we did something nice for a stranger just because we want to, never expecting anything in return? Much as how salt add flavor to food, so I believe we as the"salt of the earth" should be making a difference in other people's lives, be it through good works, witnessing to them, or simply being a friend in their time of need. Today, we are quick to judge and all to busy to do these little things that might require perhaps just an hour of our time. However, have we ever thought that these seemingly little gestures can actually mean a big world of difference to those whom we help? Just as only a pinch of salt is enough to make any dish taste much much better.

Hi, I am Tabatha ( Christine ) I live in Grass Valley Ca. ( MOUNTAINS ) I do so enjoy Pastor Ralphs bible studies. They are so challanging. They make me search my heart and do a lot of repenting. Also brings back a lot I have set aside. I am an evanglist and do a lot of traveling. I am finding all those sermons I am preaching God is requiring me to start living them. It is a good thing to be a Christian in these days. Jesus is coming soon, I want to be ready. God.s Blessings on all.

In this beatitude Christ pronounces a blessing on those who are being persecuted. But the persecution that they are suffering is not for misdeeds or evil acts, their persecution is for doing righteouness. No. not for any crimes they have done, and not for being unrighteous and committing the acts of those who practice evil such as murders, thieves, and all other acts of wickedness, but on account of their righteous and Godly conversation and Godly actions which in turn brings upon them the hatred and enmity of the men of the world. For by living righteously the believers seperate themselves from the world and profess themselves not to belong to the world. The Godly life of true believers places a brand upon them that distinguishes them from the rest of the world. Persecution in the United States at this time, frequently comes verbally, via the tongue, usually in the form of cruel mockings and reproachful language, or by deeds such as confiscation of goods, banishment from a group, or even in the work place where one may be fired, demoted, or spoken against because of one's Christian Faith. In today's society to tell others that you are a born again Christian who has put His entire faith and trust in Jesus Christ, is to bring on smirks and laughs, rude and disgusting comments, and alienation and retaliation. But why is their such persecution in the world, and why is God so offensive to so many? Because the word of God is a stumbling block to ungodly people. The unbelievers that don't know Jesus enjoy sinning, in fact they revel in it. They enjoy partaking in as many sins, is because of the spirit that the creator has placed within each one of us. When the unbeliever sins, The Holy Spirit is convicting the spirit of that sinner and this cause the sinner to know that he is doing wrong and that his actions are against the laws of God. If you are not being perscuted, you should ask, "Why" And the answer just my be that you are not living a Godly life. It is our Godly life that causes the other person to get heated up, upset and unhappy. The truth is, everyone who lives a Godly life in Christ will be persecuted. If no one is persecuting you. It is because you are not living the Christian life and shing as lights in the world!

(Psalm 119:9) " How can a believer keep his heart pure? By keeping it according to The Word of God " Therefore, one of the most important questions that we can ask is how can we be truly pure in our hearts and clean of filth and sin? How can we be pure in our imaginations, in our thoughts, in our words,in , in our decision making, and in our desires?How can we think what God thinks.will what God wills, desires, desire what God desires, hate what God hates, and love what God loves? In other words how can our hearts be pure hearts, free from sins like pride and envy, free from evil thoughts and evil deeds? The truth is we can't do any of these things on our own. We can't reform ourselves. We can't self clean ourselves. Many people have tried to clean themselves. Some have tried to do this through as leading a life of complete self denial, or by other methods such as by going away from the world and living in solitude. or permanent silence. They have tried to cleanse themselves through celibacy. fasting, and prayers. But such asceticism is not biblical and it will not result in purity of heart.! So the first point we must be aware of is this. The path to a pure heart begins with the realization that we have impure hearts. The entire Bible revolves around the central theme that the Lord looks at the heart of the person and not at the external appearance, their behavior, or their achievements. The Lord does not acclaim education, intellect, businesss success, or social position, as the world does. The Second point we must b aware of is God must clean us. God alone is able to make rotten people pure in their imaginationas, thoughts, words, deeds, and desires. The pure heart are those who are free from evil desires and evil purposes. So if God is the only one who can cleanse us,then how does He do it? Well, the bible tells us that God has a plan to deal with the problem of sin infected hearts. God has a plan to save us and make us Holy in thought and deed. And the plan is found in many places such as ( Romans 8:29 ) Here God tells us He wants " to conform us to the image and likeness of His Son" Thus God's plan is to make us like His own Son, like Jesus. His purpose is nothing less than that we be pure in heart just like Jesus Christ ! This Beatitude tell us if we are pure in heart then we will see God. The reward for this beatitude is truly marvelous because when the believer becomes pure in heart, not only will they see God as they pass into heaven immediately upon death,But they will see God right now, not with their natural eyes, but through their spiritual vision, through their faith in Jesus Christ. For the pure in heart will see God in all His Glory in every single thing that they see. To the pure in heart. God will become extremely visible!

To help us understand this beatitude we first have to ask ourselves, what is meant by righteousness? And righteousness means being in complete accordance with what is just, honorable, and Godly. Righteousness are those things that are upright, virtuous, noble, morally right, and ethical. You could say that righteousness is a life style that is in complete conformity to the will of God. It is a lifestyle that Jesus not only finds pleasing, but one that He approves. For the true believer, righteousness saturates every single aspect of his life. And every Godly belierver knows that he has Jesus Christ living on the inside of him leading and guiding him ( Psalm 11:7 ) " For the Lord is righteous: He loves righteousness; And the upright will behold His face." When a believer hungers and thrists after righteousness he becomes a new man and this new man now bears the image of God.The world does not want any part of this kind of life. This new man greatly desires to do the will of God for he now has great interest in Christ and all that Christ said and promised, For those who hunger and thirst will be filled. To Hunger and Thirst after righteousness can only be perceived by persons spiritually enlightened and who have our Lord Jesus Christ living and dwelling within them. This child of God not only has an earnest desire to fervently seek righteousness and thus lead a Godly life on a second to second basis, but he wants to be possessed by righteousness. He wants to constantly live in it, to be totally absorbed into it, to be completely saturated in righteousness, for he knows that this way of life is the Godly way of life, and a righteous life is what also is what fills the true believer with peace and joy. And because of their spiritual enlightenment they realize that nothing can be more perfect, more pure, and more pleasing to Our Heavenly Father then living a life that He totally approves of!

A Meek person is the one who by faith sees God as great, and hinself as nothing. And because of that, He submits to the righteous will of God. A meek person is the one who proclaims , "Not my will but thine be done," He submits to the will of His Heavenly Father and does not argue with the Holy Scriptures where God's will is clearly revealed. Therefore, the meek believer that is being led by God is having this Christlike quality of meekness and humility constantly being produced within him. He is a gentle person In Psalm 37:3 it says, " Trust in the Lord and do good." Faith is trust. The meek person trusts the Lord, meaning he rests in God by entrusting his whole life to Him. His whole being is resting upon the sure foundation of the almighty God. The meek man knows that his past, present, and future rests in God. He has heard the gospel proclamation which says, " Come unto me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." The meek person who comes to Christ and trusts in Him for His salvation is always at rest in God. Jesus Christ is His rest. No matter what circumstances he is facing.He is at rest and peace, Because he submits to the Spirit of Christ, the importance of humility will show forth. The world does not understand this kind of gentleness and humility.