For I was hungry, and you gave me food: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in: Naked, and you clothed me: I was sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came unto me. Matthew  25:35-36

When we read these scriptures, what is the first thing that comes to mind? You probably think about a homeless person you helped or someone else in need. But what about our own family? Do you apply these scriptures to your own children? When I look around these days seems like a lot of families are neglecting each other let alone strangers.

God gave us the gift and responsibility to be a Father or Mother, a Husband or Wife , we should take that responsibility with great care. Family is the foundation of human life, God created the family as a structure for the human race. In todays society we see that breaking down more and more

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Since you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40

Jesus is saying whatever you do for one of your children , you have done it for him. When your kids are young they are vulnerable, helpless, defenseless. God  put you in the position of parent to take care of them. When people abuse or neglect that power, they are abusing or neglecting Jesus.

We need to start making our families a higher priority than ourselves. Your career will come and go but your family is forever. How your house is being ran is a true reflection on your spiritual life.

If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? James 2:16

Its good to feed our families spiritual needs but our family has physical needs. Take care of your family, don’t lose sight on your primary purpose as a Parent or Spouse. Because what you do for your family , you do for Jesus Amen

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Matthew 5:44

The other day me and my wife were sitting at the kitchen table discussing a situation where someone was attacking our family. Our 6-year-old son happened to be sitting there listening, while we went back and forth on how to remedy the situation, our son simply said “Lets pray for them”. So my 6-year-old son went ahead and prayed for our enemies at that moment.

I’ll be honest with you during that time, praying for our enemy was the last thing on my mind. But through the eyes of a child, he helped remember what Jesus taught us, Love your enemies. I was so proud of my son for knowing this principle and demonstrating it also.

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45

Its hard to understand why bad things happen to good people, but we must understand that in order for God to truly be just, he must allow us all to have free will. We all have the free will to live our lives as we choose, we can deny God if we want, the sun will still shine on all of us. So when bad things do happen, pray for you and your enemies, and a give God permission to take control

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? Matthew 5:46

Its easy to love others when they love us back, but how do we love others who hate us? We may not fully understand it but must trust in God. Ask for the peace and strength of the Holy Spirit to guide you through this tough situation and remain in peace during the storm

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots. Luke 23:34

Jesus displayed the ultimate act of love by sacrificing himself not only for those who love him, but his enemies also. Even while he was being tortured on the cross he asked God to forgive them. Lets try to be a little more like Jesus and love and forgive our enemies also in Jesus Name Amen

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Jesus has taught us that we can determine a false prophet by the fruits that they bear. So what are the fruits of The Spirit? Here Paul dives deeper into the subject revealing those qualities:

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Longsufferrring
• Gentleness
• Goodness
• Faith
• Meekness
• Termperance

Notice against these qualities there is no law, meaning these qualities are of God which produces eternal life. There is no condemnation when living by The Holy Spirit.

And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Galatians 5:24

When we become a Christian ourselves have died with Christ on the cross. Like Jesus said what is flesh is born of flesh and what is spirit is born of spirit. When you become reborn you are reborn by the Holy Spirit. The power of God is living in you and the evidence is the fruits of the Spirit you are producing

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

When the Holy Spirit lives in us we need to live by The Holy Spirit also. Does that mean we are never going to be tempted? No, remember Jesus 40 days in the desert, he was led by The Spirit but was still tempted by Satan. There is a constant battle between the flesh and spirit, we need to let the Holy Spirit guide us to overcome the temptations

Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:26

God resists the proud and there is good reason. Pride is usually the root of all sin. All sin is used to satisfy a personal gratification while having dire consequences. When we live by The Spirit, we live a selfless life directed to serve others with love. Are you displaying the Fruits of The Spirit? Would others describe you in these words? Pray for guidance and help from God to fill you with The Holy Spirit in Jesus Name Amen

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Matthew 22:36

Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment, his response was very simple however do many people really get what he’s saying? Sometimes Christianity can get complicated, but when we apply these simple rules by Jesus its clear. Put God truly first then you can truly love others.

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. Matthew 22:37-38

The greatest commandment is that we love God, this may sound simple but really is a stumbling block for many people. To first love God you have to acknowledge he exists, you have to get to know him, and then trust him.

Now that simple commandment seems more complicated. People like to throw the word Love around loosely. But to truly Love commands many things including trust, honesty, and sacrifice.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  Matthew 22:39

Why is Love your neighbor second? Simple you can’t truly love others until you understand what love is. God is love, he demonstrated that by sacrificing his only begotten Son to save your life. There is no greater love than that.

Secondly to be a true disciple of Christ is to serve others and not yourself. When you live like Christ you can truly love your neighbor regardless of who they are because you love God. So if you have issues loving your neighbor seek God first and he will open your heart to true love in Jesus Name Amen

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. Romans 5:7

Memorial Day is a time to remember and reflect on the ones who layed down their life for our freedom. The ones who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom today. Notice in the Bible it says “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person”.  This goes to show you the immense sacrifice these brave men and women demonstrated for us.

So whatever you’re doing today, take a moment to remember those who paid the price for our freedom.  Take a moment to reflect on how your life would be different if nobody was willing to do this? And thank those veterans who are still here today and remember there sacrifice for you.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for us all, even though we are all sinners and don’t deserve Gods grace, he gave it to us anyway. Why would God do this? Because his love for us is greater than our sin. So if you don’t believe or don’t know if God loves you, the answer is Jesus Christ

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

From Jesus own words there is no greater love than to lay down your life, Jesus did just that to save the world because he loves us. On Memorial Day pay honor to fallen soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice for you, remember them in your prayers in Jesus Name Amen