Good Morning.  Here’s Today’s Nugget to chew on:

“A Higher Standard”

Matthew 5:43-48 The Message (MSG)

43-47 “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

48 “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

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Further Thought: Today’s passage reminds us that we are called to a higher standard: love.  According to Galatians 5:6, our faith to believe God for his promises is activated by our love.  Romans 5:5 tells us that we received God’s love the moment we received Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  Genesis 1:26-28 also reminds us that we are created in the image and likeness of God, which means we can love even the unlovable.  So, let’s start and continue to love as God’s representatives on the earth.  Let’s also recognize, according to Romans 8:19, that the earth is growing, waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God.  In other words, those who don’t know Jesus are looking for Him, but He’s not here.  However, as Ambassadors for Christ on the earth, He’s given us His love to display and give to those around us.  So, today I want to encourage you to accept the Kingdom mandate: to love at all costs.

Have a great day, and keep chewing on God’s Word.

Additional references: 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Matthew 5:44; Mark 11:22-26 and 2 Corinthians 5:20

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“2026 Declaring the Goodness of God”

Today’s Recommended Reading Isaiah 43