47: Those that we are brought up with are much easier, being familiar, to be nice to. Familiarity makes people feel comfortable and generous. Jesus seeks to call us out of our normal human comfort zone.
48: Jesus here sets forth the standard he has been hinting at all along. It is little wonder that he finally states it outright in connection with a discussion of our love for others. He says perfection is what is needed. We are to be perfect like Almighty God. How can this be expected? Jesus alone holds the answer.
Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 68:1-70:5
Daily Memory Verse: Jude 1:6 “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgement of the great day.
Daily Tidbit: Lightning bugs convert energy into light without generating heat. That’s 100% efficiency. The best lights we have only use 10% of the energy for light. The rest generates heat. (From Dr. Werner Gitt’s book, If Animals Could Talk)
Praise Journal: Heavenly Father, thank You for helping us understand ourselves and the world around us. You lead us to know more about ourselves by knowing more about You. Help people to see that. Oh Father, give us a desire for You that is insatiable! As we look at the world around us, we see that You are truly intelligent and skilled beyond our imagination. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.
Prayer Journal Highlights: Pray for our military personnel. Pray for missionaries all over the world.
Personal Journal Entry #12177