Matthew 5: 38-39 ” You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

Jesus was quoting Leviticus 24:20 where the law stated that as a man had injured someone, so he was to be injured.  But then, Jesus turned that law completely upside down by advocating loving your enemy and not repaying evil with evil…of doing good to those who hate you, and turning the cheek.

Philippians 2: 14-16 ” Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.”

These verses aren’t asking you to go around singing all day, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine…”  But they are  asking you to make a difference in the world and to not hide your faith.  When you allow the love of Jesus to shine through you…people sense it…they know there’s something different  about you…and they’re drawn to the light.

Proverbs 6:23 ” For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life.”

We all want long life, health, and prosperity…but what does it take to achieve these things?  This verse states that we need to first accept instruction and discipline from the Lord, and then allow it to be assimilated and incorporated into every part of our life…and into every action and behavior .

Psalm 26: 7 ” I go about your alter, O Lord, proclaiming aloud Your praise and telling of all Your wonderful deeds.”

It’s testimony Sunday, and I want to share a miracle that happen this week…especially for those who think miracles don’t happen anymore.  My Daughter-In-Law was driving home with two kids, two dogs, and a newly acquired horse…a journey covering three states…when the clutch in the truck started making noise…and then the wet heavy snow began falling, making driving very difficult.  After 16 1/2 hours on the road,  she safety pulled into their driveway.  The next morning, she got into the truck to take it to the Dealership to find the clutch was completely out…the truck wouldn’t move, and had to be towed.  How many miles do  you think the angels propelled that truck through the blinding snowstorm and held that clutch together so they could  get home safely?

Galatians 6: 7-8 ” Do not be deceived: God can not be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

We sow our wild oats, and what do we get in return?  Lung cancer from damaging long-term cigarette smoke…Hepatitis C from IV drug use…Sexually transmitted diseases from promiscuous activity…Cirrhosis of the liver from chronic alcohol abuse.  It doesn’t sound like great compensation for a few minutes of pleasure.  That’s why God’s offer is far superior with lasting benefits…for it says in Romans 6:23, ” For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”