How easy is it for us to love those who hate us? What about just someone who wronged us. I was having dinner with my husband and he said something quite mean. In fact it was so mean and hurtful and so very out of character for him that I had to get up and walk upstairs to our bedroom with tears streaming down my face. He did not realize that what he said cut me to the core. I was hurt and I was mad. With each step I took as I headed up the stairs I felt the Holy Spirit tugging at me. “Bless your husband.” That is all I heard in my head over and over again with each step until I reached the landing. I had a choice. I could drown out the Holy Spirit with my own selfish anger, or I could simply obey. I am glad I decided on the latter. I cleaned his side of the room, folding clothing and dusting his dresser. In doing so it was I who obtained the blessing. My heart changed. My hurt changed. My perspective changed.

Even though my husband is not my enemy, by a long shot, those who are closest to us have the unique ability to hurt us the deepest. Has anyone hurt you recently? Have you been wronged by someone? Flip your normal reaction on its head and think about how you can bless them. Really bless them in an outwardly palpable way.

See Matthew 5:43-48

Salt and light. That is what we are to be. Light draws people in and salt makes things taste better. The pros. But have you considered the cons? Light exposes and salt stings. We are to be both salt and light in both of its uses. Your light (living righteously in your actions) will irritate the eyes of those living in darkness. Your salt (speaking words of truth) will burn and sting the souls of those living in sin. We must remember to act in love towards others but never shy away from the truth when the Holy Spirit presents us with the opportunity to do so.

Matthew 5:13-16

John the Baptist did not mince words. “You brood of vipers!” was his cry. Consider who he was accusing. They were the most respected theologians of his day. They were respected and revered among men. They were the Pharisees and Sadducees. But John is refuting them to bear fruit in keeping with repentance since clearly they were not. Let us not only bear fruit in keeping with repentance, but also resolve to be “John the Baptist Bold.”

Matthew 3:7-8

How interesting it is that the wise men brought Jesus as birthday presents frankincense and myrrh. Those were burial oils and spices. It would be like bringing a baby present of embalming chemicals such as formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde and phenol. Gross! But think this through. The birth of Jesus was for one sole purpose, his death. He came to die. These gifts were not only appropriate but prophetic! Incredible!

Matthew 2:11

I don’t know about you, but when I am hungry look out. I’m moody and impatient. It would be the absolute WORST time for me to try to withstand any temptation let alone ALL forms of temptation. To say Jesus was hungry in Matthew 4: 2 would be an understatement. He had not eaten anything for 40 days and 40 nights and THEN he was tempted by Satan himself. Yikes! Let’s remember Matthew 4 when we get tempted. We are lightweights in comparison.

Matthew 4:2

Immanuel, God with us. Think about that for a second. God with US! That tiny helpless baby was God in the flesh. Fully God. Fully man. Amazing. He left everything that was lovely, pure, right, holy, true, and perfect; he left EVERYTHING to come to our broken fallen earth to be amongst broken fallen man. He came to everything that was detestable, impure, wrong, unholy, false, and imperfect to make things right again. What a blessing and honor it is to call Jesus our perfect holy God!

Matthew 1:23