"For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:20

When I was a kid we all had toy rockets. Some rockets were powered by water, others were powered by elastic, and others were powered by black powder and chemicals. The one common factor about these rockets was their inability to break out of the earth's atmosphere and successfully make it to the moon. No matter how cool they looked or how much we believed, the little guys just didn't have the right stuff inside.

As Jesus taught on the subject of righteous living, He made it clear that the only one kind of life that would make it to heaven. This life would have to exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees. Such people would have to have much more than good looks and actions. They would have to have the right stuff inside.

Will you break out of the earth's atmosphere and successfully make it to heaven my friend? Well if you do, it won't happen because you cross your Ts and dot your Is the right way. It won't be because you dress like Jesus or talk like Paul. You need more than your own righteousness; you need what Paul wrote about in Romans 1:17, "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” The only way to get to heaven is by having the right stuff inside.

“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." - Matthew 5:13

Not  long ago I watched a cuisine show in which a local chef was informed of the taste value of salt. He was depending on the various ingredients of his recipe to satisfy the taste bud, but when salt was added these ingredients literally came to life. Salt is a very desirable addition to many dishes, yet if it should lose its taste its value is gone.

Jesus informs us that we are "the salt of the earth". When the Holy Spirit is present and active in the life of a believer, they are quite a tasteful addition to their world. They bring flavor to relationships as well as bring out the best in other people. Like salt, believers are taken for granted, but their contribution in improving their surroundings for Jesus' sake is invaluable.

Do you live a Spirit led life, seeking to reflect the presence of Christ my friend? If you are, you are truly the salt of the earth. Your presence among family, friends and peers is highly significant. While it may not be noticed, you bring life to situations and improve the outcome in the Name of Jesus. Don't stay in the salt-shaker though, get out and make a difference in your world.

"For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:20

When I was a kid we all had toy rockets. Some rockets were powered by water, others were powered by elastic, and others were powered by back powder and chemicals. The one common factor about these rockets was their inability to break out of the earth's atmosphere and successfully make it to the moon. No matter how cool they looked or how much we believed, the little guys just didn't have the right stuff inside.

As Jesus taught on the subject of righteous living, He made it clear that the only one kind of life that would make it to heaven. This life would have to exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees. Such people would have to have much more than good looks and actions. They would have to have the right stuff inside.

Will you make it out of the earth's atmosphere and successfully make it to heaven my friend? Well, it won't be because you cross your Ts and dot your Is the right way. It won't be because you dress like Jesus or talk like Paul. You need more than your own righteousness; you need what Paul wrote about in Romans 1:17, "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” The only way to get to heaven is by having the right stuff inside.

"How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye." - Luke 6:42

Occasionally I notice that my computer screen is distorted and marked with various specks. After putting up with the annoyance for a while I take time to clean the beast. I use the best cleaner and make certain that I leave no scratches or marks behind. Then I kick back to resume my work only finding the distortion and marks still present. In a fit of desperation I remove my glasses, wipe my forehead and glance back at a crystal clear screen. What? Where did the marks go? Hmm... the problem wasn't what I was looking at, but what I was looking through.

The Lord gives us such insightful counsel when He directs us to "take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly". Before we can ever assist others in their spiritual needs, wisdom tells us to clean up our own life. The amazing truth is that when we clean our glasses (or life) we see things much differently. Not only are we able to help others better, but we see them in a less critical light.  It's not always what we are looking at, but what we are looking through.

Consider what Paul wrote in Galatians 6:1 my friend, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." Yes, we should always be available to assist others in their spiritual walk. But let us be sure to be personally "spiritual" and watchful ourselves; because, it not only matters what we are looking at, but what we are looking through.

"In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God." - Luke 6:12

This coming Sunday evening two football teams will take the field to determine a world championship. In a way, these players have been getting ready for this game all year. But more specifically there has been a major concentration all week to be set for this  competition. Let's face it, decisive plans require demanding preparation.
Jesus was about to select twelve men as His apostles. These men would come from almost every walk of life and intentionally include a traitor. They would sit under His teaching for the next three years and carry the Gospel into the world after His ascension. This moment was far more important than any football game. This decisive plan required demanding preparation. 
My friend, do you see prayer as the best way to get ready for decisions in life? If so, how much effort do you give to such a pursuit? If Jesus saw the need to pray all night before this historic moment, how about you? Remember, decisive plans require demanding... "Prayer-paration"

"For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother." - Mark 3:35

What really is "family"? We are told by some that it's all about our blood line and ancestors. As a result there can often be a dramatic and tenacious loyalty to the "family" over all other relationships. Some people will refuse to embrace Christ as Savior because they are afraid of offending the "family". The will of God becomes secondary to the will of the family.

Our Lord was raised in a godly family. As a young boy we are told in Luke 2:51 that "he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart." But in time submission to God the Father became priority. This was so significant that He spoke of being a member of a new "family".  His brothers and sisters were not just those who adhered to family loyalty, but were those who did the will of God.

You too have a "family" my friend. And your family is one that can be traced through a very significant "blood-line". Your eternal brothers and sisters are those that are washed in the blood of the Lord Jesus. While your earthly "family" is of great value, remember that the most important family members are those who do the will of God above all else.

"He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored." - Mark 3:5 

"The millennium is at hand. Man has invented everything that can be invented. He has done all he can do." These words were spoken by a Bishop during a church gathering in 1870. Someone commented, "I think man will learn to fly." The Bishop replied that this was blasphemy. "Don't you know that flight is reserved for angels?" The Bishop was Rev. Milton Wright,father of Orville and Wilbur. Only open hearts can fly.

Jesus found the very same attitude among the religious elite of his day. God had broken into their lives and they were closed to the possibilities. They had reached the point where they worshiped their traditions more than God. If the miraculous couldn't fit into the traditional setting, it was rejected. The stubborn heart distressed Jesus because he knew that only open hearts could fly.

Are you ready for God to do the miraculous in your life today? Will you allow him to break into your life in ways that may challenge your traditions? When you pray for the Lord's intervention are you prepared for the change he might bring? Remember, only open hearts can fly.