Philippians 3:13 Forget ABOUT it!!!

Prayer for Today

Father, I worship you and give YOUR Name the praise. For you alone are worthy of all the praise. I invite you to step in this place and take control. I submit to Your will, Your Word and Way. Holy Spirit direct my steps and guide me on my way. What is it that I can do for You, the Body of Christ and the Kingdom today.

Father, I pray today, "MORE OF YOU and less of me." I forget about everything behind me and press in toward the goal in Christ Jesus. All things that I once perceived as gain, I see them as loss. For to die is to live; loss is to prosper and to become none (nothing) is to look to the ONE (Heavenly Father). I submit wholeheartedly to Your hand, giving you all of me for your Glory and use. In this season, all I want is MORE OF YOU and less of me.

Today's Key to Walking in the Spirit

Forget about it. By it, I mean everything that you learned in the earthly (physical realm). The plain truth is we had not gone the way of the spirit. Therefore, we don't comprehend the things of the spirit. We have not embraced the truth--we are spiritual beings having a human experience not human beings experiencing spiritual experiences.  A mass confusion that has beset us. WE must, individually and collectively except the truth. WE need to forget (everything) we learned and study how to activate and live unto God. Until comprehend and apprehend this principle we will remain separated from HIM.

Thought for Today

Today is December 28, 2011, 3:25 a.m. and I am wide awake. These days I awake 2:00 a.m. I find that I am mediating on the Word of God day and night (Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2). It is not intentional, but rather like recalling (remembering). It is as if, in my unconscious state, I have had an outer body experience and have been transplanted in another dimension. I am able to comprehend who I truly am in that dimension. I am awaken with the knowledge, wisdom and understanding that there is an increase coming as I decrease.  If you are confused don't worry just step over in here in the spirit with me and then you will comprehend. 

Let me use an ABC television series to demonstrate what I mean. The series is entitled, "Once Upon a Time." In it all the characters are familiar to us because they are from the fairy tales we read as kids. The shows' writers depict the familiar fairy tale characters with a deeper, darker and more prolific story line. Their lives are all intertwined. However, their "storybook happy endings" are undone by The Evil Queen and her cohort Rumpelstiltskin. The Evil Queen and Rumpelstiltskin use evil magic to transplanted all to the fairy tale characters to another dimension, a place called Storybrooke, in modern time. In the modern day dimension, no one except the evil queen and Rumpelstiltskin know the truth. Every person living Storybrooke has forgotten their true identity, where they originated from, who they are connected to, how they come to be there, and why they are there. They are all unaware Storybrooke is not their real home. Yet there they are living the lie contently thinking all is well; but in truth there is more only they don't know it. In order for them to break the evil spell they must remember the truth. However, remember may cost them their natural life. One day, a young boy receives a book containing all the fairy tales and discovers the truth. He embarks on a journey outside of Storybrooke to find his natural mother who is one person that can free the captives of the evil magic. With childlike faith, courage and truth on his side, he goes about shedding light in the dark places.

I feel we like the people trapped in Storybrooke have forgotten our true identity, origins and purpose. We have been deceived into believing all is well and go about content to live the lie. It is until we encounter the redeemer, that we remember-the truth. When I say, "forget about it," I mean that literally. Forgot the things that bind you to the lie. Wake up from your slumber, open your spiritual eyes, ears and gain understanding of your true identity. You are not a human being having spiritual encounters. You are a spirit having a human experience. To break the cycle of generational curses over our lives and our loved ones' lives we have to present the body we live in as a living sacrifice. We have to be holy as our Heavenly Father  is HOLY!!!

Today's Scripture Reading Philippians 3

¹ Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. ² Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. ³ For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴ though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. ¹⁰ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

 ¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. ¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

¹⁷ Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. ¹⁸ For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Ephesians 4 & 1 Corinthians 12 It Ain't Yours

Prayer for Today
Father, I worship you and give YOUR Name the praise. For you alone are worthy of all the praise. 

I invite you to step in this place and take control. I submit to Your will, Your Word and Way. Direct my steps and guide me on my way. What is it that I can do for You, Body of Christ and Kingdom today.

Father help us to fix our gazed like Abraham, to move into the unknown path which you direct. Let us seek to be the Body of Christ fitting rightly in function and moving jointly together as one. Purify us again and use us for Your glory. Forgive us for every thought, word and deed that opposes the purpose and design you have for us. As we submit, help to decrease so increase will come and over take us. Help us to invite with love and kindness those who do not know or perhaps fear walking in the spirit of liberty. Help us to be patient with ourselves and others praying in the spirit with groaning and uttering of travail that bring about true manifestation of miracles, signs and wonders as we come forward in greater works and life more abundant.

Today's Key to Walking in the Spirit

Praying and walking in the spirit unleashes the promises of God not only in our lives but in the lives of others as well. There a great need to be disciplined in the spirit and in the area of prayer. It is imperative that both praying and walking in the spirit be made manifest (shown) in the lives of the children of God. The key is to uniting and maturing in the Body of Christ is to become disciples of pray and learn how to walk in the spirit. How do you do this...you ask, and you begin moving toward the unseen.

Thought for Today

Today is Saturday, December 17, 2011 7:07 am and I am wide awake and full of wonder. I am so excited about the things God is about release in the earth in each of us. Are you ready to let go and be used? Have realized the life you live is ain't yours? We are more together than we are apart. God wants to increase you right where you are. I want you consider Abraham and the promise God made to him. Abraham had two sons but only one was of the promise. Issac, Abraham's son, had twin sons but only one recognized the value of the birthright and the promises. Jacob, Issac's son, fought to be transformed,and from his loins came twelve sons and only one became a wise leader. God needs us to tap into the promises, but we can only do that when we are willing to live a life in Him.  When you examine each of these men's lives you will discover they were thrust into but thrive in the unknown and unseen. 

There is an unspeakable joy on the inside of me that I cannot explain but I wish you could feel it to. If you look around you today you will see things that look bleak and without hope. I happen to believe it the precise place we need to be in order to grow up and move out in faith.  I believe that out darkness will come the light. I believe also that neccesity will bring about creation and innovation such as has never been seen. 

Allow me to enlighten for a moment, we need to get real comfortable with the unknown. I will break it down. In order to tap into the kind of joy, peace and prosperity that comes from above you will need do things very differently. It is not busy as usual. The enemy doesn't care about you going to church, in fact he will meet you there. The enemy doesn't want you to realize you are a part of the Body of Christ. He is doing everything in his limited power to prevent you from grabbing hold of this knowledge and operating in unity. He knows if attacks or even in some instances touches your stuff you will fall to pieces. For some all it takes is losing a job, home or love one and you mind is messed up. The things that we treasure have our heart. But until you are willing to recognized your heart ain't yours you will be stuck on the outskirts of the Body of Christ. We are good with going to church but have not gone through the process of fitting rightly into the Body of Christ. 

The real victory is uniting and fitting together in the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ is more than the church. The church or those buildings made by hands do not hold the answers you need. There is a dynamic and dimension that we have not tapped because we are going in the wrong direction. We want to go where we can see. We need to have control of things, thoughts, words and actions in our lives. The reason for that stance is because we have not submitted and conforming to Word and Will of God. We settle into conforming to the world. The world is enmity with God and His Word. We cannot serve two masters. If you work to fit into the world you are not working to fit into the Body of Christ. It easy to tell. If your holding on things that ain't yours you still serving the world but if you have released your stuff for the common use of all that your serving the Body of Christ. 

Today's Scripture Reading Ephesians 4:14-16; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 NIV

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:14-16)

⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

  ¹² Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For we were all baptized by^[c]one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴ Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

 ¹⁵ Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. ¹⁹ If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

 ²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,²⁴ while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,²⁵ so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. (1 Corinthians 12:12-26)

Luke 10: Shake it Off!!!

Prayer for Today
Father, I worship you and give YOUR Name the praise. For you alone are worthy of all the praise. 

I invite you to step in this place and take control. I submit to Your will, Your Word and Way. Direct my steps and guide me on my way. What is it that I can do for You, Body of Christ and Kingdom today. 

Father, help your children to keep it simple and sweet. Teach us to be humble in all that we do and acknowledge and understand that is all because of YOU. Allow us to focus, and to be sure that YOU are leading and guiding us every step of the way. Things that are beyond our control we get up, move on and shake it off!

Today's Key to Walking in the Spirit

You must realized that you have been sent and you are a laborer. You will encounter those who will hear, those who won't, those who challenge, those who are busy, and those who want to sit at your feet. As a laborer understand this those who receive you are receiving God who sent you. It is not about you, but about your obedience to the One who sends. The Good News is not always good news to all. The key is to know that you have been given authority, the peace that passes all understand will remain with you and chose that which is best and leave the rest.

Thought for Today

As I studied and prayed this morning, the thought came to me that I want to choice the best for me. Everything less that is not fruitful, hinders and does not edify me--I am shaking off!!! This means I won't be fixated on worry, fear and even my own agendas because I am intending to get the things or thing that I need to be the servant in God's Kingdom that He has chosen me to be. 

I want to be like Martha's sister, Mary. In essence, I recognized I must come to a place of knowing I have chosen what is needed at that moment in my life. I have to be comfortable enough in my own spirit to go for it. In Luke 10, Jesus lays a fundamental truth for me to understand there are levels in serving the Kingdom of God. Every one will not be at the same level nor will they be inclined to serve the same way. He also explains not every one will be served on the same level. There are many who will be as well as some who won't be served by the Kingdom at all. As a laborer, my duty is to understand and work at the my level of service and go into the places that I am being sent to serve. That time of service  may vary in duration. You know a reason and a season. The season may or may not come around again. 

I believe I am a server like Mary, settled and at peace; content to be serving at the Master's feet, gleaning what is needed and then going forth to feed others. The fact of the matter is both Martha and Mary were serving the Kingdom of God, Martha was simply a different kind of servant, she chose to be a busy bee, and  Mary chose to be hungry one.

In this text of scripture, there where 72 laborers dispatched and they encountered those who received and those who rejected the message they brought. When the returned with their praise reports they were excited that demons fled at the name Jesus. Jesus told them it was more important that they rejoice because their names written in Heaven. Can you get that in your spirit. You may be conducting kingdom work but are you rejoicing more about the work you do or the place in which you will ultimately retired? It will make difference in the long run. Check out what Jesus tells the "expert in the law," in Luke 10:25-37. He was a servant too but the real deal was he didn't know gaining eternal life was an act of  Mercy. Jesus had to break it down to him, then the light went on. Love your neighbor. Be a neighbor. He was a servant that had the law but he didn't have love or mercy.

Today's Scripture Reading Luke 10

¹ After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. ² He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. ³ Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. ⁴ Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

   ⁵ “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ ⁶ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. ⁷ Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

   ⁸ “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. ⁹ Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ ¹⁰ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ¹¹ ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ ¹² I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

   ¹³ “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. ¹⁴ But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. ¹⁵ And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.

   ¹⁶ “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

 ¹⁷ The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

 ¹⁸ He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. ²⁰However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

 ²¹ At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

   ²² “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

 ²³ Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. ²⁴ For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

 ²⁵ On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

   ²⁶ “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

 ²⁷ He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

   ²⁸ “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

 ²⁹ But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

 ³⁰ In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹ A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ³² So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴ He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

   ³⁶ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

 ³⁷ The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

   Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

At the Home of Martha and Mary

 ³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

   ⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Matthew 4 Don't turn the Light Out and Stay Salty

Prayer for Today
Father, I worship you and give YOUR Name the praise. For you alone are worthy of all the praise. 

I invite you to step in this place and take control. I submit to Your will, Your Word and Way. Direct my steps and guide me on my way. What is it that I can do for You, Body of Christ and Kingdom today. 

Father, I stand in the gap for my brothers and sisters asking You on their behalf to send ministering angels to each of them who are  poor in spirit, mourning, meek and lowly, hunger and thirsty after righteousness. peacemakers, those who are persecuted and those who are broken-hearted. They need You and they need a Word. Show them that You got them and they won't fail because You have never failed us. Help them not to lose their flavor (salt) and zest for living holy, help them not hide and tremble with fear of the circumstances and situation that appear bleak. If they candle or light has grow dim or perhaps gone out re-ignite them with Your fire from on high In Jesus Name I pray. Amen

Today's Walking in the Spirit Key

Draw on your ability to love. Love makes room for forgiveness. To forgive yourself and others is essential to unlocking God's blessings in our lives. Here's how I remember to love, I focus on how God loves me in spite of my ways, actions, and at times my character defects. Love everybody as you love yourself. 

Thought for Today

It is not business as usual, things have definitely turned and shifted in atmosphere.  We are not familiar with this particular detour in road. Many of things we see happening today are things that God is exposing, tearing up and it is He who has the final say in what will stay and what will go. Reading the newspaper or watching the news reports it appears the world has gone to hell. Everywhere you turn there is murder, mayhem and disaster. You may be experiencing first-hand the murder, mayhem or disaster but I want to tell you do lose your flavor-stay salty. 

When Jesus began his ministry in the earth it was a similar time and very similar things were going on then. It appeared the world had gone to hell. But Jesus caused turning and shifting in the atmosphere. He told the multitudes (masses) "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." Matthew 5:17-18 NIV In a nutshell, we must go through it. What God has spoken will come to pass. There are blessings, curses, and judgments to be fulfilled and they are attached to us. 

In Matthew 5, we see Jesus began preaching (sharing the Good News) and teaching (instructing in the   Law, and oracles of God). The first part of His message is that of hope and blessings on those who were facing trying circumstances but were maintaining (keeping) their saltiness (flavor). Yes, they were poor, mourning, oppressed (meek), pure in heart, peacemaker (those trying to keep the peace), and those that were being (persecuted--talk about, lied on). In short, they looked us and were facing messed up situations. But notice, after Jesus told them how blessed they were he preached another Word to them that said, stay salty and keep the lights on!  

You maybe experiencing all hell breaking lose all around you but don't you turn the Lights out and don't lose your saltiness. God put a light (hope, blessings, peace, love, joy, and talent) in us--the world didn't give those things to us and the world can't take them away. I don't know if you know this but everything good, bad or indifferent has occurred in your life; shaped your life; given you your flavor (character, identity). I had a job once that I knew I had been blessed with to stretch me and help develop my character. Working in an environment that is not easy and among clicks of folk who test your character can be well I say--trying. I walked by faith, refused to hide my light, I did experience frustrations and vexations but I also grew. I grew in my walk with God, I learned to pray more and walk in the spirit more. God's grace was sufficient for me.  But, when I no longer had the grace for that place it was time to move on. 

God will grant you favor and grace to endure whatever you are going through right now and bless you in the midst of your storm,  And guess what? (say what!) Even though it is dark, deary and the rains are torrential the sun will shine again and we can come outside. Be encouraged.

Today's Scripture Reading Matthew 5 NIV

¹ Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

    He said:

   ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
   for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
   for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
   for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
   for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
   for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
   for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

   ¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Salt and Light 

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The Fulfillment of the Law

¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Murder

²¹ “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. ²³ “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.²⁵ “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. ²⁶ Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Adultery

 ²⁷ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ²⁸ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ If your right eye causes you to stumble, 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. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to stumble, 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 into hell.

Divorce

³¹ “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ ³² But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths

³³ “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ ³⁴ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. ³⁶ And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. ³⁷ All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Eye for Eye

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ ³⁹ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. ⁴⁰ And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Jasmin's Business by the Bible Tips and Strategies

Do you not know that you have forget everything you have been taught about the world's economy. The Kingdom of God and God's economic strategies are totally opposite to that which you have come to see and know in the world. As you are already witnessing unprecedented changes are occurring in our financial infrastructure. It is no longer business as usual. Today you will need to be armed with more than the stuff they taught you in business school, because there is a shift that has already taken place and if you don't prepare you will not make it.

1st Strategic Lesson

Deuteronomy 8:18 (NIV)

But remember the LORD you God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors as it is today.

Question

What do you remember? 

Your ability to produce wealth doesn't come from a natural order, it is a spiritual covenant that was established long before you were born. We can see many schemes and plans that have been erected by the wicked and we should not be amazed at what the world equates to being successful because it is a vapor.

I would refer to the long history of banking, land and medical scandals. For every economic recession, downturn and debacle we can readily identify a highly organized ban of corruption. Today we are experiencing a great magnitude of corruption through large corporation and government agencies. The systems are cracking and crumbling fast. 

It is vitally important for the Body of Christ to walk out Deuteronomy 8:18, and Deuteronomy 28:1-14 (NIV)

Blessings for Obedience

 ¹ If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. ² All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:

 ³ You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.

 ⁴ The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.

 ⁵ Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.

 ⁶ You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

 ⁷ The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.

 ⁸ The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.

 ⁹ The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in obedience to him. ¹⁰ Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. ¹¹ The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you.

 ¹² The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. ¹³The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. ¹⁴ Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.

Jasmin's Master Key: Obedience unlocks the blessings of God on you and those attached to you for generations to come as long as they obey.