Author Archives: shannonrainwater

Reflection

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Last night I had “Meet the Teacher” at my school. It is always the one day that I dread the most and the day I look forward to the most. I look forward to it because I get to see some students that I have had in the past  and see how they have grown. I dread it because I have to work very hard trying to make a good first impression on those that are coming in to my class.
I relate this to the section we are studying by saying this; We look at Jesus as our Teacher. We are already in the school year and He is in the middle of one of His lectures. Are we listening? Are we taking notes? Are we doing the homework by applying what HE has said in our lives now?
Reflect back at some of the lessons so far in Matthew chapter 5. By the way this is a good teaching practice to stop in the middle of the lesson and go back and do a short review.
Feel free to comment on what the Lord has taught you through these passages.

Dentistry, Boxing, Lawyers, Physical Trainers, and Bankers- Matthew 5:38-42

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Jesus again uses the formula “You have heard x, but I tell you x.” Starting to see a pattern? You think that Jesus is trying to debunk everything that they have learned about the Law? Sort of a “Lawbusters” episode where He picks one of the Mosaic Laws and puts it to the test like Adam and Jamie do?
No not at all. Remember He started this sermon by saying that He didn’t “come to destroy but to fulfill” the law. (5:17)
This section of the sermon Jesus is pointing out that we should go the “second mile”. In other words, we are not only to meet the needs of those that are in need but go one step further.
First, Jesus pulls the Law that is the subject that deals with victims that have been wronged. The “eye for an eye” has been in ancient law for ages. Hammurabi included it and many other countries have used this as part of their “court system” of governing justice. Jesus takes this Law that they know very well and practice, and he tells them to “turn the other cheek”. This is one of the more familiar saying in Christianity. This has been interpreted many times and in many different ways. I have heard that it is in place so that the Christian can hold a peace for a minute to prevent an instant outburst. Some would even add that you only have two cheeks, if it happened again then the Christian is verified in retaliation. But in the “Rule of Hermeneutic” we know that in order to properly interpret this for meaning we have to look at the context.
Second Jesus tells us that if someone sue us for our shirt then we are to give him our coat as well. Why would someone sue for our shirt. Hopefully no one during this day and age but back then it was understood that one could sue for shirts and coats. This was also the maximum you could sue for. People in those days didn’t have many pieces of clothing as we do. If one was sued for both the shirt AND coat it was everything. Plus if the person sued for the coat and it was cold that night. The person could freeze (it gets real cold in desert terrain at night) and die. If this were to happen the person who sued for the coat was considered liable for that person’s death.
Third, Jesus refers to the Roman rule that if a Roman soldier asked a civilian to carry his equipment He only could require one mile of him. This was so that the Roman soldier could be at fighting strength after traveling long distances. However, he could not require that civilian to go no more than one mile. It could be out of the way for the civilian but the trade off was the security in knowing the soldier was in a sense protecting the civilian from invaders. At least that was the idea. Jesus here points out that we are to go an extra mile. Even if it is out of our way.
Lastly, Jesus says that we are not to turn away anyone who wants to borrow and even tells us to give to those who ask. Historically, banking has always charged an interest on borrowed money. It is done for the time the money is away. That borrowed money could be used for investing for a gain. If it is loaned out that gain no longer is a potential unless interest is applied to the borrower. See how that works. So, Jesus addresses that we are to be generous by giving to those who ask for help and loan to those who want to borrow. There is a difference. If someone is asking for money, they aren’t planning on repayment necessarily. But the one who asks for a loan is intending to pay back with interest.
What does all this mean? The law was not given to exact revenge, but to legislate justice. Breaking the law has consequences, but personal vengeance has no place. These passages have often been wrongly taken as a minimum guideline for retaliation. What Jesus clarifies is that they were always intended as a maximum or a ceiling for retaliation, and that mercy was always an acceptable intention underlying these laws.

For us, legalistically “letting the punishment fit the crime” and insisting upon a “eye for an eye” falls short. We must actually consider blessing the those that wrong us. Mercy (withholding deserved punishment) and grace (giving undeserved gifts) are legitimate forms of conduct.

Mean What You Say and Say What You Mean- Matthew 5:33-37

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I love watching the “Most Interesting Man in the World” commercials. One of them you hear the narrator say “People hang on his every word… even the prepositions.” In case you have never seen them, these are commercials that portray a dapper bearded man that is in his 70’s who has performed feats of peculiarity  someone who has a “Fonzi-esque” persona. (Only if he did jump sharks he would have made it… and the sharks would have applauded.) He had an almost cult following where you could read more of the interesting accomplishments this character did.

 Yesterday we talked a little on the condition of the heart. In this passage Jesus addresses the character of speech. He warns us about oaths and being careful in what we say.

Have you ever heard someone say “You swear to God?” meaning that you would keep your word otherwise God will strike you. OR how about “May God strike me down if it is not true”? Making these oaths have good intentions but we do not know what the future may bring. The Bible says that we “can not make a single hair white or black.” (v. 36) We can not Have you ever made one of these oaths and then broken them because of other circumstances? We all have. Jesus knew this and taught that it is better to have a good reputation than to have to rely on a swear. Or we should simply just let our Yes mean Yes and our No mean No. My Dad used to tell me to “Mean what you say, and say what you mean!”

Go through today aware of you oaths to people, your kids, your spouse, and to God.
Please, if you would like to share comments leave them below.

***I do not endorse any products that said person in the above article represents***

Whatever it Takes – Matthew 5:27-30

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After Jesus established that murder originates in the heart, He continues the thought of other sins that originate in the heart- Adultery
“I’ve NEVER committed adultery! I have always been with my wife/husband.”
Remember that Jesus is addressing the heart issues. These are the issues that are seldom seen by people because we think of it as being an action. Jesus said- “everyone who looks at a women to lust after her has committed adultery with her in his heart.” (v.28)
But wait a minute! I’m not even married.
Au contraire mon frere! Even if you are single this still applies. Those that wait for their mate may still lust after another.
Now wait just a second! You are telling me that I cant even look at the opposite sex with no thoughts of attraction?
Jesus gives a hyperbole by suggesting that if your eye or your hand causes you to sin then get rid of it! Because it “is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell!” Obviously Jesus isn’t really wanting us to go around gouging our eyes out or chopping our hands off but the point is clear.
If ANYTHING causes us to sin then we are to get rid of it by any means possible! 
The hands and eyes don’t actually CAUSE the sin but rather they are the tools used for it. Hands can commit actions of sin and the eyes can allow sin into the heart/mind. So the question is “How do we get rid of the possibility?” That is what we have to figure out with guidance from the Holy Spirit. 
Some of the missions I went on when I was in the Navy, we were told to do certain things “by any means necessary.” The methods may not have been ideal however, they were necessary to accomplish the mission.
So in the case of sin we are to “Do what ever it takes to correct our heart attitude.” 
For some, it may be deactivating Facebook for a while, selling your TV, taking a different route to and from work, or making sure that your spouse is with you when you eat out with coworkers.
God’s Word contain many scriptures regarding our heart;
1. We are to guard it! Proverbs 4:23
2. Love God with it! 
3. Bind God’s law with!
Just to name a few.

As you go through today as God to make you aware to the “THINGS” that are causing sin in your life. 

Get Your Mind Right!

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Today is the day of the week that we prepare ourselves for worship. We should take a moment to self-examine our lives. The meaning of “worship” actually means that we should give our adoration to or show reverence toward an object or deity.Said object should receive our worthy time. So in essence, we should give our “worth-ship” to God. If God is “worthy” of our time and attention then we should give Him our absolute best. 
When I was in Rescue Swimmer School, the instructors used to yell out “Get your mind right!” just before we were going to PT (Physical Training). If we didn’t get our mind right for the task then we could not give it our whole effort. The same is with getting ready for worship (worth-ship). If you don’t get your mind right you can not give it full effort.
So today in preparation for tomorrow set aside all worldly things and GET YOUR MIND RIGHT!

Don’t Murder the Person You are Forgiving Matthew 5:21-26

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Today’s Reading: Matthew 5:21-26

I heard one of my friends in the Navy tell me a story about when he was driving home from work. He began by saying in a loud exaggerated voice.

“Man, I was in my lane going about the speed limit. When all of a sudden this car came out of nowhere and cut me off. I mean within inches.”
“I was so mad that I followed that car so close that I could smell the interior.”
“We went in and out of traffic. Finally the car took an exit and I was right on it.”
“We were speeding through the neighborhood and then the car pulled into a driveway.” “I slammed on my brakes and skidded the car in front of the house and waited for the guy to get out of the car so that I could…”
“Then I saw. It was an old lady shaking so bad she could hardly walk. I even think she mouthed the words to me ‘I’m sorry’.”

Too often we let our emotions run our lives. Especially our anger. In today’s reading, Jesus addresses the issue and equates it to breaking a Commandment. Remember yesterday when we read that Jesus was the fulfillment of the law and that no one is able to keep all of the Law? This is the first point that He makes. Anger left unsettled is the same as MURDER!
What? Yes, that is exactly what it means. If you are angry with someone you just murdered them in your heart. But wait! That’s not all! Jesus also takes this opportunity to also go one step further and teach on reconciliation. You should go first to the person who wronged you and reconcile while you are on the way. This way you are ready for worship.

I know there are many different applications here but these two are the most outstanding;
1. Anger left unsetteled is the same as murder (only in heart not action)
2. In order to get your heart right you must be reconciled to your brothers

As you go about today think about who you may have wronged. Maybe someone you know that has something against you. Think of a way of reconciliation. Pray about the situation and ask for boldness. Ask God to give you wisdom in the situation and the words to say. 
Also ask God to bring awareness in situations that make you angry. Think of the person the story and put yourself in both perspectives.

Legalistic Lawyers and Purposeful Propitiation Matthew 5:17-20

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“Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
For I assure you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all things are accomplished.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches people to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches these commandments will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:17-20)

You have heard that people say that we are no longer under the Law BUT under grace. What exactly does this mean? Do we ignore the Law? Do we follow the Law?
I’m here to tell you- neither and both. 
HUH? Well think of it this way. Why do we need laws? Easy answer… so the people would not live in Chaos. If there were “rules” to society then people would be in a constant state of fear.
But instead, God gave the Laws (10 Commandments) to Moses so that he could start the government for the nation of Israel. 
“But I’m not Jewish!” says you? Ha, neither am I but God is still going to hold people accountable for all of the Laws, not just the 10 commandments, but all 600 plus commands.
“But wait, following the law to the “t” is impossible!” I know, that’s the point! When Jesus said that He didn’t come to destroy the law but to fulfill it, the Pharisees were in His presence. He briefly sides with them in that the Pharisees lived by these laws and thought that this was the key to heaven. But, instead Jesus ends this thought by saying that “unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Those hearing this knew it was impossible to surpass them and much less able to keep the law. But that wasn’t the purpose of the Law. Jesus started by saying He was the fulfillment of the Law. It was never intended to draw man closer to God but rather to show man how far apart from God he really is. Jesus fulfilled the Law by being the propitiation for sin. It is impossible to keep the law even a small bit of it. Hence the need for a Savoir.
The next verses Jesus goes into detail in why it’s impossible to keep the Law. We will look at each of them individually.
Today as you go about. Think of the ways we break the law of today’s society. Speeding? Running stop-signs? Tax Laws? 

Faith

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Be Confident Series
Hebrews 11
I.                   The description of Faith
a.     Not blind optimism- Hope so attitude, feeling
b.     It is confident obedience to God’s Word in spite of circumstances
c.      Substance
d.     Evidence- “conviction”
e.      Witness- “obtained a good report”
II.                The demonstration of Faith
a.     Abel- worshipping
                                                             i.      Abel’s offering was accepted and Cain’s was not
b.     Enoch-Faith walking
                                                             i.      Picture of rapture for God took him.
                                                           ii.      He did not die
1.     Direct contrast to Abel
c.      Noah- faith working
                                                             i.      Built the Ark
1.     Exactly as God said – obedience
2.     Despite what the world said
3.     Probably no ocean around
4.     Did not rain
5.     Took 100 years
a.     Methuselah – oldest man died right before flood, perhaps God waited?
d.     The patriarchs- faith waiting
                                                             i.      Abraham waited in God’s time
1.     Obeyed when he did not know how God’s will would be accomplished
2.     Obeyed when he did not know when God would fulfill His promise
3.     Obeyed when he did not know why God was so working
e.      Moses- faith warring
                                                             i.      The refusal of Faith- Moses chose not to stay in a cushy position in the Pharoh’s court
                                                           ii.      The reproach of faith- when he left the palace he NEVER went back to that lifestyle.
                                                        iii.      The reward of faith- “Moses chose the imperishable, saw the invisible, and did the impossible.”
f.       Joshua and Rahab- faith winning
                                                             i.      Joshua belived God in every instance- Defeating Jericho
1.     Walls were 40 foot
2.     They came down just by the sound of the trumpets and shouts
                                                           ii.      Rahab- was a harlot
1.     Saved by grace- other in the city was marked for death
2.     Saved by Faith- she knew about God and what he was about to do
a.     She didn’t know much
3.     Saved unto good works- she protected the spies
g.     Various heroes of faith
                                                             i.      Gideon- a farmer, faith did not grow strong right away
1.     Barak was the same
                                                           ii.      Samson- did not cut his hair or drink wine
1.     He believed God to help and deliver him
                                                        iii.      David
                                                        iv.      Daniel- stopped the Lion’s mouth
1.     Shadrack, Meshack, Abednigo- fiery furnace
                                                           v.      Others had faith- Hebrews 11:36.

Today is postponed but also a day to Praise Him!

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Last night we experienced a storm. This storm moved through our neighborhood while we were on our way home. Randi and I did our usual “What are we doing for dinner?” conversation and we decided on Long John Silver’s. We stopped at the one in Lake Worth but noticed the power was out. So we decided to go to the one in Saginaw. We didn’t know how bad the storm was but it had knocked out power to them as well.
“Sonic?” my wife exclaims.
“Sure!” my stomach yells.
We ate while the rest of the storm passed on by. The temperature went from 103 to 75 in a matter of 30 minutes. Then the trip home. As we pulled into the outskirts of our neighborhood we started to see trees down everywhere and got a little nervous. Even the old trees at the local elementary school were down. They must have been 100 years old.

Then….

We were at first a little upset but then quickly reminded that God had redirected our path to not be in this mess. You know? Sometimes God sends a storm our way just so that we can be a little closer to Him.

Grace to you!

Hey Bud, gotta light? Matthew 5:14-16

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Today’s Reading Matthew 5:14-16

Hey Bud, gotta light?

Have you ever woke up in the middle of the night and it was pitch black in the room? You tried to make it to the bathroom without stepping on or running into something but instead that corner of the bed or that toy that wasn’t picked sends pain messages to your half awake brain. All this because there was no light.

Replay this scenario except this time imagine you have a night light plugged in. Different? Of course! Although your toes still may have found the corner and your heal found the toy, this time you saw it coming.

Jesus calls us to be the light of the world. We are to bring attention to that light so that others can see how God is working in our life. What is this light He is talking about? It is Jesus! Remember that Jesus called Himself “the light of the world” (John 8:12, 9:5, 11:9).  He tells us to not hide our light, such as under a bowl, but rather on a lampstand so that all can see. Think about it; if Jesus is the light that we are supposed to show off do we have to excuse the light because some may complain? Or, should we limit the brightness because it might offend some? NO! While “being the salt of the earth” deals with the inner conscience “being the light of the world” is an outward action. We reflect the light that Jesus gives us by our actions.

Today try to list as many qualities of light that parallel this illustration.
Example; light reveals mistakes, light exposes, light ____