Jesus Amplified E-Book

Ray Comfort

• Herausgeber: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 422

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

Experience the words of Christ like never before.   Scripture bursts with fresh insight for you to discover and truth for you to embrace. For best-selling author Ray Comfort, the comprehensive research of the Amplified Bible has made the depth of the Bible's original languages accessible for all readers.   In Jesus Amplified, Comfort combines the fullness of the Savior's message explained in the Amplified Bible and his personal love of Jesus to nourish your hungry soul. Through a year of enriching devotions, you will   - examine select verses from the Gospels and Revelation, - uncover the richness of Jesus' teaching, - gain dynamic perspectives on familiar passages, and - respond to Christ's character and mission through prayer.   Explore how Jesus transforms your life and the world.  

Leseprobe

BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC

Savage, Minnesota, USA

BroadStreetPublishing.com

Jesus Amplified: The Deeper Meaning of the Words of Jesus

Copyright © 2025 Ray Comfort

9781424570607 (faux)

9781424570614 (ebook)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Unless indicated otherwise, all Scripture quotations are from the Amplified® Bible (AMP). Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible, public domain. Scripture quotations marked (TLB) are taken from The Living Bible copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Cover and interior by Garborg Design Works | garborgdesign.com

Printed in China

25 26 27 28 29 5 4 3 2 1

To Julia Zwayne

Contents

Introduction

January

January 1: Permitting Things in Life

January 2: It Was Written Forever

January 3: On the Other Hand

January 4: It Forever Remains

January 5: Regret Past Sins

January 6: He Didn’t Say That

January 7: I Am Rich

January 8: Sins Forgiven and Forgotten

January 9: They Are Strong

January 10: The Water That Satisfies

January 11: The Stealer of Contentment

January 12: Comfort in the Beatitudes

January 13: Beautiful Feet

January 14: All Who Live Godly Shall Suffer

January 15: Moral Courage

January 16: Your Reward in Heaven Is Great

January 17: Good for Nothing

January 18: Light of the World

January 19: The Skeptic’s Mouth-Stopper

January 20: A Satisfied Law

January 21: It Is Finished!

January 22: A Strange Verse

January 23: Our Moral Essence

January 24: But I Say to You

January 25: Then Present Your Offering

January 26: Going to Court

January 27: Woe Is Me, I’m Undone

January 28: Pluck It Out

January 29: The Sanctity of Marriage

January 30: Just Say Yes

January 31: Maintain Your Dignity

February

February 1: Let Your Love Be Seen

February 2: Love Your Enemy

February 3: The Hypocrite

February 4: When You Pray

February 5: The Omniscience of God

February 6: The Power of Mercy

February 7: Where Your Treasure Is

February 8: The Light of the Eye

February 9: The Dichotomy

February 10: Look to the Birds

February 11: Look to the Flowers

February 12: God’s Rightful Place

February 13: Judge Not

February 14: The Hard Heart

February 15: Ask and It Shall Be Given

February 16: Our Father in Heaven

February 17: The Golden Rule

February 18: The Narrow Gate

February 19: False Prophets

February 20: Evidence of Salvation

February 21: They Called Jesus “Lord”

February 22: Who Are These People?

February 23: Jesus Reached Out

February 24: Don’t Tell Anyone

February 25: Jesus Was Amazed

February 26: Deliberate Thoughts

February 27: Fiery Trials

February 28: Following Jesus

February 29: Perfect Peace

March

March 1: Jesus Said to Go

March 2: Which Is Easier?

March 3: Definition of a Disciple

March 4: Our Sobering Task

March 5: They Will Fast

March 6: They Laughed at Him

March 7: The Harvest Is Plentiful

March 8: The Jew First

March 9: When You’re Rejected

March 10: Heavenly Wisdom

March 11: When God Speaks

March 12: The Name of Jesus

March 13: Strength in Humility

March 14: Fear and Love

March 15: The Rooster

March 16: The Sword of Division

March 17: Not Worthy

March 18: An Ambassador for Christ

March 19: The Blinder of Discouragement

March 20: He Is Trustworthy

March 21: The World’s Empty Praise

March 22: The Accuser

March 23: Come to Jesus

March 24: Guard Your Liberty

March 25: A Lost Sheep

March 26: Knowing Their Thoughts

March 27: We Are Gathering or Scattering

March 28: Trees of Righteousness

March 29: Fear God

March 30: If Any Be in Christ

March 31: Seeking A Home to Dwell

April

April 1: The Mother of Jesus

April 2: Neglected Instructions

April 3: The Life Source

April 4: The Work of the Enemy

April 5: Light to the Path

April 6: The Sleeping Church

April 7: Goats among the Sheep

April 8: Hidden Treasure

April 9: The Pearl

April 10: More Repetition

April 11: His Ways

April 12: Do Not Be Afraid

April 13: Stepping out of the Boat

April 14: The Schoolmaster

April 15: From Death to Life

April 16: Ignoring the Soul

April 17: Faith and Persistence

April 18: Beware of False Doctrine

April 19: Who Do You Say I Am?

April 20: The Rock of Ages

April 21: The Continual Denial

April 22: Worth of the Soul

April 23: As Little Children

April 24: Our Own Sins

April 25: Within the Will of God

April 26: How Many Sins?

April 27: The Crazy Fairytale

April 28: Keep the Commandments

April 29: Loving God and Money

April 30: Rich or Poor

May

May 1: The Future Is Known

May 2: The Way Up

May 3: The Son of God

May 4: Speak to the Mountain

May 5: Grace Alone

May 6: Humanity’s Solution

May 7: Clean Cups

May 8: Blind Guides

May 9: The God-Man

May 10: The Glory of God

May 11: Jesus Said It

May 12: Godly Priorities

May 13: The Mind of God

May 14: Not My Will But Yours Be Done

May 15: Leave the Sword Alone

May 16: Have You Come with Swords?

May 17: The Agony

May 18: The Unspeakable Gift

May 19: Do Not Fear

May 20: Thy Kingdom Come

May 21: Godly Sorrow

May 22: A Good Doctor

May 23: Stretch Out Your Hand

May 24: He Who Has Ears

May 25: The Hidden Things

May 26: Hunger for Knowledge

May 27: The Small Things

May 28: Do You Believe?

May 29: Remember the Battle

May 30: The Word

May 31: Go Home First

June

June 1: In Times of Trouble

June 2: Groaning and Sighing

June 3: Bad Doctrine

June 4: Unbelieving Generation

June 5: My Weakness

June 6: Blinded Eyes

June 7: The More Important Agenda

June 8: Let the Children Come to Jesus

June 9: The Love of Money

June 10: God’s Faithfulness

June 11: Servant of Humanity

June 12: Let Me See

June 13: Fearless Faith

June 14: The Whole World

June 15: The Reason for Persecution

June 16: God’s Sovereignty

June 17: Earnest Prayer

June 18: No Fish

June 19: Fishers of Men

June 20: Childish Sinners

June 21: The Exaltation of Women

June 22: The Mystery of the Gospel

June 23: The Enmity

June 24: The Uniqueness of Jesus

June 25: Blessed Eyes

June 26: He Sees and Knows

June 27: God’s Good Pleasure

June 28: Glorious Hope

June 29: Satan’s Work

June 30: Tell That Fox

July

July 1: The Wedding Garment

July 2: He Isn’t Like Us

July 3: The Mulberry Tree

July 4: Worship Jesus

July 5: Skillful Words

July 6: The Penitent Thief

July 7: Jacob’s Ladder

July 8: The First Miracle

July 9: Zeal for God

July 10: The Importance of the New Birth

July 11: Born Again

July 12: Do You Not Know?

July 13: The Absolute Truth

July 14: Heavenly Things

July 15: Jesus Lifted Up

July 16: His Sovereign Hand

July 17: They Shrink from the Light

July 18: This Was Well-Spoken

July 19: If You Knew

July 20: He Will Never Thirst Again

July 21: The Power of Belief

July 22: She Spoke Truthfully

July 23: Worship God

July 24: It Went Well

July 25: Bread of Heaven

July 26: Raise Your Eyes

July 27: Someone Planted

July 28: John’s Simple Message

July 29: He Believed Jesus

July 30: Laying Hopeless and Helpless

July 31: Sin No More

August

August 1: Imitation of Jesus

August 2: The Power of God

August 3: Great Is the Mystery of Godliness

August 4: Honor the Son

August 5: Skim-Reading Scripture

August 6: Absolute Assurance

August 7: Those Who Hear

August 8: God’s Self-Existence

August 9: Don’t Be Surprised

August 10: The Praise of Men

August 11: Far Greater Testimony

August 12: The Ultimate Treasure

August 13: They Would Not Come

August 14: Others Will Be Received

August 15: Believe Moses

August 16: What It Means to Believe

August 17: We Need Never Be Afraid

August 18: The 24/7 Battle

August 19: Trust in Jesus

August 20: The True Bread

August 21: Blessed Assurance

August 22: The Last Day

August 23: A Lamp to Our Feet

August 24: Those Who Have Seen God

August 25: Hard Sayings

August 26: One of You Is a Devil

August 27: Any Time Is Right

August 28: Taste and See

August 29: A Form of Godliness

August 30: You Cannot Come

August 31: If Anyone Thirsts

September

September 1: Blind World

September 2: Fruit of Repentance

September 3: The Trap of Sin

September 4: Free Indeed

September 5: The Experience

September 6: The I Am

September 7: They Will Never Perish

September 8: The Power of Words

September 9: Faithful Prayer

September 10: Graveclothes

September 11: Mind Your Own

September 12: Dying Daily to Be Fruitful

September 13: Unless You Hate

September 14: Serving Jesus

September 15: The Unthinkable Thought

September 16: Face-to-Face

September 17: Light and Darkness

September 18: Trust in the Lord

September 19: God Resists the Proud

September 20: Most Blessed

September 21: Gospel Authentication

September 22: Satan Entered Him

September 23: Love One Another

September 24: I Am Not Ashamed

September 25: Believe Also in Me

September 26: New World Coming

September 27: The Only Way

September 28: The Invisible God

September 29: Greater Works

September 30: The Gauntlet

October

October 1: The Helper

October 2: Putting Perfect Peace into Practice

October 3: Made a Little Lower

October 4: No Power over Me

October 5: Much Fruit

October 6: Trust and Obey

October 7: We Are Not of This World

October 8: Preaching Jesus Crucified

October 9: Persecuted for Christ

October 10: The Power of “But”

October 11: To Our Advantage

October 12: The Holy Spirit

October 13: Guided by God

October 14: He Cares

October 15: He Turned My Mourning into Joy

October 16: Labor Pains

October 17: Prayers of the Humble

October 18: The Hidden Truths

October 19: The Safest Place

October 20: A New City

October 21: Raise Our Eyes to Heaven

October 22: Come, Lord Jesus

October 23: This Is Eternal Life

October 24: Amazing Grace

October 25: We Know That We Know

October 26: His Glorious Bride

October 27: In the World

October 28: Not One Lost

October 29: The Two Worlds

October 30: True and Faithful

October 31: Daily Sanctification

November

November 1: The Prayer of Jesus

November 2: The Lost

November 3: Pure of Heart

November 4: Darkened Understanding of the Lost

November 5: If It Is Your Will

November 6: The Kingdom

November 7: Salt and Light

November 8: The King of All Kings

November 9: The Truth in Jesus

November 10: Sadness and Joy

November 11: Motherly Love

November 12: Mothers and Brothers

November 13: I Thirst

November 14: Finally Finished

November 15: Why Are We Weeping?

November 16: He Knows Our Name

November 17: My Brethren

November 18: The First Evangelist

November 19: Peace to You

November 20: The Evidence

November 21: Only God

November 22: Walking through Locked Doors

November 23: Doubting Thomas

November 24: Do You Now Believe?

November 25: With Me

November 26: The Right Side

November 27: First the Natural

November 28: The Reminder

November 29: Afar Off

November 30: He Knows

December

December 1: Open Rebuke

December 2: Wait for the Power

December 3: The Times

December 4: Grounded in Christ

December 5: Sight Is Coming

December 6: I Have Heard Many Things

December 7: Overcoming My Fears

December 8: The Power of a Testimony

December 9: Make Haste

December 10: The Clear Command

December 11: Courage Can Be Taken

December 12: Do This in Remembrance

December 13: Grace Is Sufficient

December 14: He Never Changes

December 15: The Seven Churches

December 16: Do Not Be Afraid

December 17: The Ultimate Keys

December 18: The Number Seven

December 19: The Ministry of Angels

December 20: Mine Eyes Have Seen

December 21: Fiery Indignation

December 22: Rest in “Peace”

December 23: The Greatest of All Doors

December 24: The Amen

December 25: Watch Like a Hawk

December 26: The Shame of Our Nakedness

December 27: Faster than Lightning

December 28: Take It to Heart

December 29: The Benevolence of God

December 30: The Root of Jesse

December 31: The Water of Life

About the Authors

Introduction

I have always loved the Amplified Bible. It gives me a different perspective on Scripture passages with which I had become very familiar.

For that different perspective, take the English word “love.” When texting first started using the “love heart” emoji, it took some time for me to feel comfortable sending it to men. This is because there is only one word for “love” in English. But the Greek language has an amazing eight different words.1 Let’s look at three.

Eros is the type of love that involves passion, lust, or romance. Philia is an affectionate love. Philia is the type of love that involves friendship. It is philia that I’m expressing to men when texting the love heart. Then there is agape. Agape is often defined as an unconditional, sacrificial love, and that word expresses the love that God has for us.

It’s because of the richness of the Greek language and my love for Jesus that I have thoroughly enjoyed combining the two in Jesus Amplified. I hope you enjoy it as well.

Also, I would like to express my special thanks to Brad Snow for his work in generating the amazing pictures in this devotional.

May God bless and keep all of you.

September 2024

1“8 Greek Words for Love That Will Make Your Heart Soar,” Dictionary.com, March 28, 2024, https://www.dictionary.com/e/greek-words-for-love.

January

The temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11)

JANUARY 1

Permitting Things in Life

Jesus replied to him, “Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John permitted it [and baptized Him].

MATTHEW 3:15

The event in today’s Scripture passage happened when Jesus met John the Baptist at the River Jordan. John had been preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. When Jesus approached him to be baptized, John was initially reluctant. He recognized that Jesus was without sin and felt unworthy to baptize him. By submitting to baptism, Jesus was identifying with the sinful humanity he came to save. This prefigured his sacrificial death on the cross, where he fully identified with human sin and took it upon himself.

Sometimes we have to permit things to happen in life even when they make no sense. John had been baptizing sinners who came to him confessing their sins. It made sense for him to do that. But Jesus said, “Permit it just now.” When logic and reason leave us, faith fills in the vacuum. And that’s fitting. All is well. There’s peace in the storm because God is in control. He has a plan, and we submit to his infinite wisdom because we are his.

Father, when I can’t see the future, I gladly take hold of your faithful hand.

JANUARY 2

It Was Written Forever

Jesus replied, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’”

MATTHEW

The devil had tempted Jesus to turn stones into fresh bread. But Jesus resisted the temptation and quoted the Scriptures. All Scripture is written by the inspiration of God and is profitable (2 Timothy 3:16), and when God writes something, as Jesus said, “Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35 KJV). And that’s what Jesus was saying here.

In other words, if it was divinely inspired it is utterly reliable because, like God, Scripture doesn’t change. He is as good as his Word. How wonderful it is that in such a changing world—where we can’t trust that what is said to be true today will still be considered true tomorrow—the Bible is true forever. The eternal Bread of Life was broken for us. He fully became a human being and dwelled among us so we could eat of the bread of heaven both now and forevermore.

Father, my heart beats with never-ending gratitude for Jesus and the cross.

JANUARY 3

On the Other Hand

Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written and forever remains written, ‘You shall not test the Lord your God.’”

MATTHEW 4:7, QUOTING DEUTERONOMY 6:16

Jesus had been led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. This temptation occurred after Jesus had been fasting for forty days and nights. The Bible tells us that he was hungry. If we went for forty days and nights without food, most of us would be more than hungry. We would be close to death, depending on our state of health. And it was at that low point for Jesus that the Enemy came to him and said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread” (Matthew 4:3 NKJV).

It is when we are at our lowest point that the Enemy will whisper to us to do something we know that would cause God to frown. Perhaps it’s a temptation to allow bitterness, revenge, anger, hatred, greed, or lust have its way. Don’t do it! Instead, “submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7 NKJV). Always look beyond the Father of Lies to your Father in heaven.

Father, help me always submit to your will first and resist the will of the devil.

JANUARY 4

It Forever Remains

Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written and forever remains written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and serve Him only.’”

MATTHEW 4:10, QUOTING DEUTERONOMY 6:13

The temptation in the wilderness was intense for forty days and forty nights. Satan had tempted Jesus in the area of his appetite by suggesting that he turn stones to bread. Then he tempted Jesus to take his own life, and finally the devil offered Jesus the world—if he would become a Satan worshipper. But you should never listen to the Father of Lies. Rather, listen to Scripture:

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. (1 John 2:15–16 NKJV)

Whatever you do in this life, don’t be tempted to listen to the whispering of the devil. If we love this evil world, we are bowing to the god of this world—Satan.

Father, never let me be tempted to love this sinful world. Deliver me from evil.

JANUARY 5

Regret Past Sins

From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

MATTHEW 4:17

Some wrongly believe that repentance isn’t a turning from sin but a turning from unbelief to believing in Jesus. In other words, they think repentance has nothing to do with the sins of lying, stealing, greed, hatred, blasphemy, fornication, adultery, and idolatry. But the Scriptures make it clear that repentance is turning from sins (plural):

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19 KJV; this refers to “sins,” not to the “sin” of unbelief).

“Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities” (Acts 3:26 KJV; “iniquities” is plural, not the singular sin of unbelief).

“It behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins [plural] should be preached in his name among all nations” (Luke 24:46–47 KJV).

Father, help me always to follow the example of Jesus by preaching that sinners must turn from their sin.

JANUARY 6

He Didn’t Say That

He said to them, “Follow Me [as My disciples, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk], and I will make you fishers of men .”

MATTHEW

Jesus could have said, “Follow me and you will see people miraculously healed. You will be eyewitnesses of the blind seeing and the deaf hearing. You will also see people raised from the dead—as well as seeing me walk on water and have the stormy wind and the sea obey me.” But he didn’t say that.

Instead he chose to state the ultimate reason for him being born. He had come to seek and save that which was lost. He came to fish for men, and if we are following him, that should be our number one priority. We mustn’t forget the reason that God gave his Holy Spirit to the church: to give us power to reach the lost. “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NKJV).

Father, never let fear or wrong priorities cause me to neglect the Great Commission.

JANUARY 7

I Am Rich

“Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].”

MATTHEW 5:3

We are highly favored when we see ourselves in truth—that we are poor in spirit. We know that we can do nothing and are nothing without God. He gave us the very breath we breathe. But those are to be pitied who claim to be rich and in need of nothing, not knowing that they are “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17 NKJV). But that is the delusion of self-righteousness. Like the rich young ruler, who in essence proclaimed his own goodness, we need the law to humble us and expose our shame.

Such understanding causes us to thirst after the righteousness of God in Christ. Blessed are those who have the light of that understanding because that is our first step toward the cross. The law acts as a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24).

Father, it is the revelation of my sinful state that causes me to trust in grace alone and not in my works.

JANUARY 8

Sins Forgiven and Forgotten

“Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted].”

MATTHEW 5:4

Listen to Scripture address the careless sinner as he enjoys the pleasures of sin for a season:

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. (James 4:8–9 NKJV)

The prodigal son had his season of laughter, but famine left him miserable as he sat alone in the pigsty. God’s law puts the careless, sin-embracing sinner alone in the pigsty, helping him to see that his appetites are unclean.

What a paradox that we mourn over sin but at the same time rejoice with joy unspeakable because God no longer sees those sins. The prodigal son no doubt never forgot the pigsty after he returned to enjoy his father’s kindness. He had a robe over his shoulders, a ring on his finger, and a fatted calf as evidence that all was forgiven and forgotten.

Father, I am ever thankful that my sins are forgiven and forgotten by you.

JANUARY 9

They Are Strong

“Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth.”

MATTHEW 5:5

The world considers the meek to be weak, like a tiny trembling mouse trapped helplessly in the corner of a large room. But the meek are strong because they trust in God (2 Corinthians 12:9–11). Their feet are fixed firmly upon the immutable promises of the God who cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18). Their meekness also rests in the knowledge that God is for them. Nothing makes them panic because they are spiritually secure on the Rock of Ages. And in that strength, they manifest the fruit of the Spirit. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22–23 NKJV).

Jesus said that he was both meek and lowly of heart (Matthew 11:29). That state was his strength, and it is our strength as we trust solely in him. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NKJV).

Father, weak though I am, in you I am strong because you favor me in Christ.

JANUARY 10

The Water That Satisfies

“Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied.”

MATTHEW 5:6

In John 4, the woman at the well came to draw water, not knowing who would be waiting for her. When she met Jesus, she was mystified that he, as a Jew, would talk to her, an outcast Samaritan, and ask her for a drink. It was then when Jesus spoke of the water that completely satisfies—the Water of Life.

The burning sun often causes human beings to thirst for water. And it is the heat of God’s law showing sinners their desperate state before a holy God that causes us to thirst for righteousness. Until we are confronted by our sin, we do not thirst for God or for righteousness. The Scriptures tell us that there is none who seek after God and that the only thing we thirst for is iniquity, which we drink in like water. That’s why the moral law is so important. That brings us the knowledge of sin and shows us that we desperately need God’s mercy.

Father, thank you so much for the law, which was a schoolmaster to bring me to Christ.

JANUARY 11

The Stealer of Contentment

“Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.”

MATTHEW 5:7

Nothing steals contentment like an unmerciful attitude. It’s the hidden eggshell in our omelet, and it shouldn’t be there for any Christian. If somebody sins against us and we don’t have a merciful attitude, what should be a molehill suddenly becomes a mountain that will cast a shadow over everything we do.

This world’s quest for happiness often ends in disillusionment because people miss the riches of contentment. They are in the continual pursuit of happiness, but we can be content with what we have because we have the promises of God today. There’s no need for any pursuit. These promises are more to be desired than gold—they are both precious and exceedingly great (1 Peter 1:4).

We are nothing more than forgiven wretched sinners, and because we know what we are, we should never allow an unmerciful attitude into our hearts. That’s why the merciful person is (as the original Greek language tells us) “blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises].”

Father, I will be content with what I have because you said you’ll never leave nor forsake me.

JANUARY 12

Comfort in the Beatitudes

“Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.”

MATTHEW 5:8

While the Christian (because of God’s grace) can take comfort from the Beatitudes, when we look at them outside of God’s mercy in Christ, they condemn us. The Scriptures ask:

Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?

Or who may stand in His holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,

Nor sworn deceitfully. (Psalm 24:3–4 NKJV)

Those who think they are going to heaven and will see God because they have a pure heart will be sorely disappointed. Even the best person among us isn’t pure of heart. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV).

A person who believes he is pure in heart is one who has lifted up his soul to an idol. The popular image the world has of God is one of a bearded man in the sky—just one of many idolatrous conceptions of the infinite, almighty God. We can control and manipulate our idols. After all, we created them! But if we want to know the true God, we must move beyond our false beliefs about him and embrace what his Word teaches us about the great “I AM” (Exodus 3:14).

Father, help me to always see you as Holy Scripture portrays you.

JANUARY 13

Beautiful Feet

“Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God.”

MATTHEW 5:9

The Bible speaks of different types of peace. It tells us about a peace that passes all understanding. This is the peace that is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. There is a peace that is the absence of noise, and there’s the type of peace that is the absence of war.

Christians are called to be peacemakers, and our aim is to bring about peace between man and God. “How shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’” (Romans 10:15 NKJV). While we would commend those who want to stop noise or bring a halt to the tragedy of wars, heaven commends those who preach the gospel of peace. It even says that the lowliest (and arguably ugliest) parts of our body, our feet, are beautiful if we preach the gospel of peace.

Father, help me to be faithful to proclaim the good news of the gospel.

JANUARY 14

All Who Live Godly Shall Suffer

“Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].”

MATTHEW 5:10

The sinful world resists God for the same reason darkness resists light—it exposes what is hidden and calls for change. Yet standing for God and his righteousness brings immense blessing.

The Bible assures us that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV). But this is not a cause for despair; it is a badge of honor. When you side with God, you are his ambassador, shining his love and truth. The world may reject you, but heaven celebrates your faithfulness, and you are blessed because of it.

The apostles in Acts rejoiced in suffering for Christ. Stephen, as he was stoned, saw the heavens open. James, though struck down by the king’s sword, received his eternal reward. Paul endured beatings and trials but found joy in his mission, knowing his faithfulness glorified God.

To suffer for Christ is to be blessed, for it identifies you with his victory, his righteousness, and his eternal kingdom.

Father, help me always to rejoice in the midst of persecution.

JANUARY 15

Moral Courage

“Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me.”

MATTHEW 5:11

Do you remember what Peter did when he was accused of associating with Jesus? He denied knowing him an amazing three times, something he said he would never do. But that happened before the day of Pentecost—when he received the power to boldly proclaim the gospel (Acts 1:8).

Now you and I have no excuse to deny the Lord. We should never be ashamed to be associated with Jesus Christ, even if the whole world hates him. To be “blessed” in the original Greek means to be “morally courageous.” As witnesses of Christ, we can and must boldly stand for the cause of righteousness, as Peter so often did in the face of very real persecution in the book of Acts. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13 NKJV).

Father, may I never forget the moral courage that drove Jesus to the cross.

JANUARY 16

Your Reward in Heaven Is Great

“Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

MATTHEW 5:12

As we often find with our Christian walk, the words of Jesus from today’s Scripture passage seem to be contrary to common sense. He told us that when the world hates us and even tries to kill us, we should be glad and exceedingly joyful. For the world, it doesn’t make sense, but to us, it does because Jesus gave us the reason we should rejoice in the face of terrible persecution. He said that the same thing had happened to the godly who suffered persecution for the sake of righteousness. When we suffer for the cause of the gospel, we are standing arm and arm with Isaiah and Jeremiah and so many of the prophets of the Old Testament. What a privilege we have!

Listen to Scripture speak of these men and women. “They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy” (Hebrews 11:37–38 NKJV).

Father, thank you for the honor of standing with those whom you have honored in the past.

JANUARY 17

Good for Nothing

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its taste (purpose), how can it be made salty? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and walked on by people

[when the walkways are wet and slippery].”

MATTHEW 5:13

At the time of Christ, salt was mainly used to preserve food. When Jesus referred to his disciples being the “salt of the earth,” it suggests that he meant for them to be preservatives in the world, preserving goodness, truth, moral integrity, and particularly the proclamation of the gospel. But here, it seems, we also have reference to the contemporary church. The church is supposed to have a very real influence in the world, but it has lost its purpose.

Ask the average person for the purpose of the church and they will probably say it exists for weddings and funerals. But we as the church should be more than that. We should be a lighthouse in the stormy darkness of life, steering perishing sinners to the safety of the Savior. When we stop doing that, we are good for nothing but to be thrown out by this world and despised because we have become distasteful.

Father, this day I pray that I will be an influence for good in this evil world.

JANUARY 18

Light of the World

“You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”

MATTHEW 5:14–15

Nobody appreciates light like someone who has known it and then becomes blind. We tend to take light for granted because we have it during the day and have access to it during the night. But without it, we would truly be in darkness. Yet Jesus isn’t speaking of physical light in Matthew 5 but rather the light that comes from him as the Light of the World. He told his disciples, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12 NKJV).

The moment we were born again and had Christ in our hearts, we had the light of life living within us. And Jesus said to let our light shine because that sort of light cannot be hidden. We can let our light shine through our good works or through the preaching of the gospel, which the Bible calls “the glorious light” (2 Corinthians 4:4 TLB).

Father, shine your glorious light through me today.

JANUARY 19

The Skeptic’s Mouth-Stopper

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

MATTHEW 5:16

When we drop money into the collection bag, we’re not to blow a trumpet (Matthew 6:2). Instead, we shouldn’t let our left hand know what our right hand is doing (v. 3). The gift is a secret between God and yourself. Jesus said that when you keep it a secret, he will reward you openly (v. 4). However, not so with our good works. Jesus said that we should let the world see these. Our good works show the lost that we genuinely love God and love people.

The Scriptures further tell us that by our doing good for others, we “put to silence the ignorance” of the foolish (1 Peter 2:15 NKJV). In other words, when they see that we’re rich in good works, they are also seeing “moral excellence.” The good Samaritan was displaying this moral excellence (Luke 10:25–37). One good deed can speak more to the heart of a skeptic than a thousand sermons. Therefore, we should keep our eyes peeled for opportunities to let that light shine.

Father, please give me opportunities to let my light shine before men.

JANUARY 20

A Satisfied Law

“Do not think that I came to do away with or undo the Law [of Moses] or the [writings of the] Prophets; I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”

MATTHEW 5:17

It’s interesting that Jesus said that his hearers were not to think that he was doing away with the law of Moses or the Prophets. The Bible tells us that the natural (carnal) mind of men is in a state of hostility toward God and specifically his law (Romans 8:7). They would, therefore, like nothing better than for the divine law to be done away with. They would like a society where no one is responsible to God for his actions or his thoughts.

We may as well try to get rid of the law of gravity than to get rid of the law of God. It is eternal, written in stone, and a manifestation of the character of God, which never changes. It’s always wrong to lie, steal, murder, commit adultery, and so on, and it is an understanding of the spiritual nature of the law that brings the knowledge of sin. This pushes us toward the mercy of God (Galatians 3:24).

Father, help me to warn the world of your unchanging and holy nature.

JANUARY 21

It Is Finished!

“For I assure you and most solemnly say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke [of the pen] will pass from the Law until all things [which it foreshadows] are accomplished.”

MATTHEW 5:18

When Jesus said from the cross, “It is finished,” he was not only saying that our redemption was accomplished because the law was satisfied with a sacrifice, but he was also saying that the law’s sacrificial system was no longer necessary. This was because the ultimate sacrifice had been provided by the perfect Lamb of God. All those sacrifices of the Old Testament were just a shadow of the reality of the cross.

The Bible puts it this way: “For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect” (Hebrews 10:1 NKJV). The apostle Paul said that before we came to faith in Jesus, “we were kept under guard by the law” (Galatians 3:23 NKJV), awaiting the liberation of the gospel—when Jesus released us from its curse. Through him we are no longer condemned. We have been set free!

Father, thank you for the wonderful liberty that we have in the glorious gospel.

JANUARY 22

A Strange Verse

“Whoever breaks one of the least [important] of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least [important] in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them, he will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

MATTHEW 5:19

Perhaps the greatest truth of the Christian faith is that we’re saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves (Ephesians 2:8–9). Our salvation has nothing to do with keeping God’s law. The law was rather a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). And even though the law remains—and it is greatly appreciated because it gave us the knowledge of sin—we’re saved by grace alone. And so we strive to obey God, not to be justified but out of gratitude to God for his mercy in Christ.

What is important about this verse is that it tells us that we can use God’s law to teach sinners. After David cried out for mercy for his transgressions, he said, “Then will I teach transgressors thy ways” (Psalm 51:13 KJV). And the way we teach sinners is by using the law as a schoolmaster. That’s what schoolmasters do. They give us knowledge.

Father, teach me to teach sinners in the way.

JANUARY 23

Our Moral Essence

“I say to you that unless your righteousness (uprightness, moral essence) is more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

MATTHEW 5:20

Today’s Scripture verse is a devastating statement to those who are trying to earn their way to heaven. The scribes and the Pharisees displayed a perfect righteousness. Jesus said that they were clean on the outside, but on the inside they were filthy. Most of us can give the impression that we are morally good—on the outside. However, God requires truth in the inward parts. “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts” (Psalm 51:6 NKJV). He requires purity of thought. Anything short of that incurs his just wrath.

Jesus told his hearers that they would never enter the kingdom of heaven unless they obtained a perfect righteousness (Matthew 5:48). Self-righteousness is a dead end. It does not and cannot lead anywhere—except to hell. Thank God that Jesus intervened through the cross so that instead of trying to earn heaven by means of our own righteous deeds, it comes by the gift of perfect righteousness. Such is the kindness of God.

Father, may I never trust in my own righteousness, which is like filthy rags in your sight.

JANUARY 24

But I Say to You

“You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘Whoever murders shall be guilty before the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who continues to be angry with his brother or harbors malice against him shall be guilty before the court; and whoever speaks [contemptuously and insultingly] to his brother, ‘Raca (you empty-headed idiot)!’ shall be guilty before the supreme court (Sanhedrin); and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of the fiery hell.”

MATTHEW 5:21–22

The Bible tells us that the Messiah would “magnify the law, and make it honourable” (Isaiah 42:21 KJV). And that’s what we see happening in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said to the men of old…but I say to you,” and then he gave us the spiritual nature of the law. In doing so, he showed us how it is impossible to reach heaven by our own works.

Just saying angry words to another person is deadly. Who of us has never felt murder in his heart on a freeway or when someone crosses us at our workplace? This is why we constantly need the mercy of the cross.

Father, may your love in me today keep my heart free from sin.

JANUARY 25

Then Present Your Offering

“If you are presenting your offering at the altar, and while there you remember that your brother has something [such as a grievance or legitimate complaint] against you, leave your offering there at the altar and go. First make peace with your brother, and then come and present your offering.”

MATTHEW 5:23–24

In the Old Testament, the children of Israel would bring offerings to the Lord. We are reminded of these offerings when we see that Mary and Joseph only had two turtle doves (Luke 2:24), but as Christians, we were not told to bring an offering. God doesn’t want what we have; he wants what we are. This is why the apostle Paul says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1 NKJV).

And it is a reasonable service to give back to God what he’s so graciously given to us—our very lives. It is vital to take the spirit of what Jesus is saying, making sure that we don’t harbor any resentment or bitterness toward another person when we offer ourselves.

Father, I present myself this day as a living sacrifice to you.

JANUARY 26

Going to Court

“Come to terms quickly [at the earliest opportunity] with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way [to court], so that your opponent does not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you are thrown into prison.”

MATTHEW 5:25

There are times when we should take people to court. Recently, a blind woman was sharing the gospel in a park when the local city had her arrested for violating their ordinances. While her arrest for evangelizing may be permitted or even expected in other countries, that’s not so in the United States, where the First Amendment of the Constitution protects the right to freedom of speech. So the woman’s lawyers took the city authorities to court, and she won her case.

However, as Christians, we should try to go to court only as a very last resort. This is because the only ones who really win in most cases are the lawyers. They usually make money no matter what the outcome. Therefore, it’s best to take any grievances directly to the Judge of the universe and let him preside over the case. This is what Jesus did (1 Peter 2:23).

Father, I cast all my cares upon you because you judge righteously and you care for me.

JANUARY 27

Woe Is Me, I’m Undone

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who [so much as] looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

MATTHEW 5:27–28

Today’s verses bring me very sweet memories. Way back on April 25, 1972, I read the words from Matthew in a friend’s Bible and took consolation with the first verse. I thought to myself, If there’s a heaven, I’ll probably make it there because I’ve never committed adultery. But then I read the next verse, and my mind screamed, Oh no, God sees my thought life!