Insight and Instruction

There are many people who claim to have insight and instruct on how we should live and act. It is a slippery slope leading to paths unknown following blindly on the words of someone else without testing it through scripture.  It is not that what they are saying may be right or wrong but rather the reason why we are following the insight and instruction.  How would our lives be different if we not only listened but then followed up by reading God’s word to see what He is saying to our heart.  Our purpose is to live and act, by faith, to bring honor and glory to God. Our foundation must be in and through God’s word and then use it with discernment to test the insight/instruction of others.

 

Matthew 5:19
Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven18:4

Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea

1 Corinthians 3:12
Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done

1 Peter 1:5
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ

Salt and Light of the Earth

Do you ever wonder what it would be like not to have salt or light? In correct amounts salt adds flavor to what would be bland. Without light can you imagine what all you would walk into. On the other hand too much salt and too much light at the wrong time are of no value and do as much, or more, harm as good. We should learn how to season those around us, in life, with the word of God and be the light that shines in the darkness. When I thing about Salt and Light these words come to mind: Love, Joy, Gentleness, Compassion, Hope, Faith, Kindness, Grace, Mercy, Generous, and Humbleness. Opportunities are around us every day, let us discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
Matthew 5:13

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden”

Luke 14:34
“Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear

Ephesians 5:8
for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them

John 12:35
“The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light

Blessed are the pure in heart

How many times have you started out with the purest of intention and the situation turned south? How did you react? Were you able to keep a pure heart? Were you able to show grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness? I have to imagine that some of the time you were and other times not so well. This is something I think we battle everyday. Hopefully we start the day with purest intent but then life happens and we lose site of honoring and glorifying God. These verses should be etched onto and into our heart and mind.
Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God

Psalms 24:4
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
He will receive blessing from the Lord

2 Timothy 2:22
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart

Psalms 139:23
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!