If God says it then it is true.

"You are the salt of the earth... 

you are the light of the world..."

Matthew 5:13

If God says this about you, then it is true.  You shine, you illuminate beauty, grace, and light, so show it off and 

BE YOU!

A new light dawns

"...the people living in the darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."

Matthew 4:16

God placed this verse on my heart this morning, and the more I read it, the more this makes sense:  Those of us that have been living in darkness (weary, down, depressed, hopeless, sad, lonely, fearful, etc.) need to look up, step out, lift our heads, open our hearts, and breath in the Word of God.  It is our time to make some choices by turning onto a new path, grasping hold of Jesus, and begin to live again.  There is no more time for darkness, dark people, dark hearts, or dark minds.  Our time is now!  Yes, our time is right now!!  

So get a grip, take a chance, and do something with this life - something like this:

LIVE!!!!!

Turn evil upside down

“… do not resist an evil person!  If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.  If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.  If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.”

Matthew 5:38-41

Tear an evil person down by doing exact opposite of what they are doing: love them to pieces.  Believe me, it’ll turn their lives upside down.

One day at a time

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself…”

Matthew 6:34

To worry is to waste life trying to control things that are beyond your control.

To trust is to live life and let God handle everything.

Live life!  Let God control everything!

Let it shine my friend

https://images.knowing-jesus.com/i/matthew-5-14-let-your-light-shine-before-men-black

Focus

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Matthew 6:33 NIV

If you have hopes, dreams, and desires, yet not seeking God to find them, then that is all they will ever be: hopes, dreams, and desires – period.  However, if you have hopes, dreams, and desires, and are seeking God, then not only will they be hopes, dreams, and desires, they will be yours for the taking: blessed, beautiful, with your name written all over them.

Be a light for Christ

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16 NIV

https://www.google.com/search?q=let+your+light+shine+for+christ&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:IE-Address&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiHraeDgfzZAhXBY98KHeobD4MQ_AUICigB&biw=1920&bih=888#imgrc=8_3I61aqqZbFKM:&spf=1521586950210

You are the light

http://carolinasnalc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Matthew-5_14.jpg

You are God's light.  You shine with his beautiful glory...
flaunt it for all to see.

Word of the day: APPROVED

You are approved!!

“If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust of your feet.”

-         Matthew 10:14 NIV

Who cares what man thinks of you because whether they approve of you or not;you are God-approved and that is what truly counts.  Therefore, kick the dust off your feet and turn away from those that turn away from you,  and continue on toward your God-given purpose for this amazing life he has granted you.

Step aside

"Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top.  Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.  Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage.  Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand." 

-Philippians 2:1-4 MSG

Step aside, put your ego below your feet, let those around you go ahead... for in doing so, your time will come, and it will be much greater than you could ever think, want, or hope for.  

As well, remember the fine, truth-filled, words: Those who are first will be last and those who are last will be first (Matthew 19:30).

https://i.pinimg.com/236x/4a/17/19/4a17194f8297537f93a6588647953650--selfishness-quotes-selfless-quotes.jpg

Challenge for believers in Christ

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

-Matthew25:40 (NIV)

Challenge for all believers in Christ:

Make a point to go out of your way to do at least one nice thing for someone that you normally wouldn't (words, gifts, actions, etc.).

I beleive as we do this, life as we know it now, will become more and more blessed every day.

Be prepared

“…The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them…

…But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived.

The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut…

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour…”

-Matthew 25: 3, 7, 10, 13 NIV

Ready or not, Jesus is coming back. 

Definitely be on the ready side!!

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiMsaPu5IfXAhUT84MKHTo6DjYQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DssQIkzgP2GY&psig=AOvVaw3AxGlNwB07lrHQSCwelCJ3&ust=1508883925880228

Our Courage, our Comforter

“… scared out of their wits.  Jesus was quick to comfort them:  “Courage!  It’s me.  Don’t be afraid…” 

Matthew 14:24-26, 27 MSG

Once you accept the courage and comfort of Jesus you will become fearless and bold in this crazy world in which we live.

When we seek God...

“…Then the righteous [those who seek the will of God] will shine forth [radiating the new life] like the sun in the kingdom of their Father…”

Matthew 13:43 AMP

When we seek God, we shine with his glory for all the world to see.

Faith of a mustard seed

“…For truly I say to you, if you have faith [that is living] like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to the mountain, Move from here to yonder place, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” Matthew 17:19-20 AMP

When it comes to impossible situations, do you think you can, or do you know you can?  When you think you can, you leave room for doubt; when you know you can, nothing will be able to stop you! However, please hear this: There is only one way to knowing, and it is by having all faith in Christ! It is Christ who gives you the faith to moves mountains, conquer overwhelming odds, battle any opponent, and love the unlovable.  

So, spend time with him and always remember this:
Without HIS strength within you, (through the Word and through prayer, through building a deep and meaningful relationship with Him), there is no strength, which means there will be no faith, hence, there will be no victory.

Lack of faith

“And He did not to many works of power there, because of their unbelief (their lack of faith in the divine mission of Jesus). 

-Matthew 13:58 AMP

Wherever there is lack of faith, there will be lack of blessings and miracles.  However, where there is an abundance of faith (undeterred by the circumstances surrounding you; in the dismal and the glorious times), there will be an abundance of blessings and miracles.

Friends, life is good when one has all faith in Jesus!!

The day our lives truly begin

" ... What do you want Me to do for you? They answered Him, Lord, we want our eyes to be opened! And Jesus, in pity, touched their eyes; and instantly they received their sight and followed Him." 
Matthew 20: 32-34 AMP

Call out to Jesus, ask Him to open your eyes - the eyes to your soul.  Ask Him to help you truly see!

Friends, today is a day to note somewhere in your books (journal, computer, calendar), because I believe, and trust, that the moment we call on Jesus to open the eyes of our soul, we will look back and say, This was the day that my life truly began!

Praise Jesus!!

Spread the love of God

"What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim up on the housetops." Matthew 10:27 AMP

When Jesus speaks to you, tell somebody, share his news.  You are a channel for Him to share his good news, his love, his kind words, his encouragement, and your faith.  

So speak when prompted by the Spirit... 
someone needs to hear it.

Faithful and trustworthy

“His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much…” 

~Matthew 25:23 AMP

You are blessed with talents and abundances in which you are to share and grow, bless and be blessed.  So, if we choose to hide our gifts and talents then we won’t ever be able to grow or enjoy full success - become all that God wants us to be.

My friend, you have natural abilities because God has given them to you - share them in order that they can become light and influence to the darkness that surrounds you, share them in order that you might grow and succeed; share them so that on the day the Lord comes to take you away, He smiles and says:

Well done, you upright and faithful servant!

 

Causing others to fall

But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble and sin would be better off having a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be sunk in the depth of the sea. 

- Adapted from Matthew 18:6 AMP

One who is evil, but is evil in his own self, is one thing.  However, one who is evil and entices a vulnerable, unknowing, innocent person,  is better off drowning himself in a swamp than letting God deal with him.  

Friends, God’s Word is very straightforward when it comes to this, therefore, make sure your plans for yourself and others are God-certified and God-approved because anything less will have dire consequences, to which you do not want to be a part of.