12-30-20 THOUGHTS

Let’s end our year where Jesus began his teaching.  I’m convinced that our Lord said what he said by design and not chance.  This is the BEGINNING of WHO WE ARE TO BE!
Here’s the CHARACTER OF THE CHRISTIAN so that  he can be LIGHT and SALT!

Matt 5:1-16    When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2  He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
3  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4  "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5  "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6  "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7  "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8  "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9  "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10  "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11  "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
12  "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13  "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 14  "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15  nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16  "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

I see John 12:24 in Jesus’ teaching above.  
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
Eph 4:23-24    and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,  24  and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
2Cor 5:17   Therefore if anyone is in Christ, [he is] a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.    
As we look to NEW THINGS COMING, let’s make sure they HAPPEN IN US!  
Each day, DIE, LIVE...  BEAR FRUIT!  BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND!

My Prayer:
We praise you, and love you and lift you up Oh God.   Help us to live for you Oh Lord and not for ourselves.  Teach us to die that we might learn to truly live.  Help us to bear fruit!  As the redeemed, help us to say so!  Light a fire within us that we may joyfully glorify you and raise up the name of Jesus                It’s ever in his name that we pray          Amen

We’ll take a break until the fourth of January 2021.  Love you each!