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Aneel Aranha

You Are A Beloved Child - The Hope Podcast by Aneel Aranha

https://podcast.aneelaranha.com/1982200/10867697 3 Likes

Aneel Aranha

This Saturday on "An Hour with Aneel Aranha" — Envy. To register FREE for the Zoom session, WhatsApp +91 90821 01605. 17 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Matthew 5:38-42 - An Eye for an Eye? - The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha

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Aneel Aranha

The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha — Matthew 5:38-42

*Matthew 5:38-42 - An Eye for an Eye?*
When Jesus was quoting that part about “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” he was actually quoting Scripture, and we can find the phrase (or something Read More 4 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Matthew 5:33-37 - How Long Is Your Nose? - The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha

https://bitesizedgospel.aneelaranha.com/1997611/10874906 4 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Join us on Zoom () as we pray for each other. You can post your petitions via WhatsApp (+9715062....

Join us on Zoom (https://bit.ly/hope-zoom) as we pray for each other. You can post your petitions via WhatsApp (+971506258365), email (houseofprayer@hsiweb.org), or in the Facebook group (https://bit. Read More 3 Comments

Joanita Fernandes My loving jesus you know my Jesus what miracle I want wipe our tears with your holy hands and turn o Read More

Francis Dsouza Amen 🙏

Kamla Nair Thank you brother

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Aneel Aranha

The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha — Matthew 5:33-37

*Matthew 5:33-37 - How Long Is Your Nose?*
"What is truth?" Pilate famously asked Jesus in their conversation before the Roman governor had him flogged. If Pilate found the question difficult to answ Read More 4 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Do You Want To Be Healthy? - The Hope Podcast by Aneel Aranha

https://podcast.aneelaranha.com/1982200/10847670 5 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Matthew 5:31-32 - A Matter of Divorce - The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha

https://bitesizedgospel.aneelaranha.com/1997611/10847660 4 Likes

Aneel Aranha

The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha — Matthew 5:31-32

*Matthew 5:31-32 - A Matter of Divorce*
Ok, today we are going to talk about another subject that people don’t like to talk about: divorce. Studies have shown that the divorce rate has risen by 250% Read More 8 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Expect Good Things to Happen - The Hope Podcast by Aneel Aranha

Here's a short message to get your week started. 4 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Matthew 5:27-30 - Dealing with Lust - The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha

https://bitesizedgospel.aneelaranha.com/1997611/10847651 8 Likes

Aneel Aranha

The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha — Matthew 5:27-30

*Matthew 5:27-30 - Dealing with Lust*
"If you so much as *look* at someone with lust in your heart you have committed adultery with them,” Jesus said. Is there anyone among us who has not looked at s Read More 5 Likes

Aneel Aranha

An Hour with Aneel Aranha - The Seven Deadly Sins: Anger

Here is a recording of yesterday’s talk on *Anger* if you missed it, want to watch it again, or would like to share it: https://youtu.be/FAN2zvdgwzw. 9 Likes

Aneel Aranha

U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade abortion landmark

About time! 10 Likes

Aneel Aranha

This is the Day the Lord has Made - The Hope Podcast by Aneel Aranha

https://podcast.aneelaranha.com/1982200/10828670 5 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Tomorrow (Saturday) on An Hour with Aneel Aranha: Part 3 of The Seven Deadly Sins — Anger! We all struggle with it, but many of us don't know how to deal with it. To join the session on Zoom, WhatsApp Read More 2 Comments

Francis Dsouza Amen 🙏

Rajo Beepath Amen

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Aneel Aranha

Matthew 5:23-26 - Please Forgive Me - The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha

https://bitesizedgospel.aneelaranha.com/1997611/10808944 5 Likes

Aneel Aranha

The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha — Matthew 5:23-26

*Matthew 5:23-26 - Please Forgive Me*
Ok, here’s a question to get us started. When is the last time you said, “I am sorry” to somebody? We’re not talking about apologizing when we bump into someone Read More 1 Comments

Lucian Veira Amen.

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Aneel Aranha

Make Your Scars Your Testimonies - The Hope Podcast by Aneel Aranha

Celebrating the 50th episode of The Hope Podcast. Approaching 50,000 downloads! Thank God. And thank you for making them so successful. 1 Comments

Lucian Veira Yes Br. Aneel I do have old & new scars..An old one I had to stop working because of an injury I had Read More

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Aneel Aranha

Matthew 5:20-22 - Self-Righteousness - The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha

https://bitesizedgospel.aneelaranha.com/1997611/10808873 4 Likes

Aneel Aranha

The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha — Matthew 5:20-22

*Matthew 5:20-22 - Beware of Self-Righteousness*
The Pharisees were members of a religious group who lived during the time of Jesus. Their name means “separated one,” and they took this separation ve Read More 11 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Want to See Miracles? - The Hope Podcast by Aneel Aranha

https://podcast.aneelaranha.com/1982200/10821328 4 Likes

Aneel Aranha

The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha — Matthew 5:17-19

*Matthew 5:17-19 - Great Rewards*
Jesus says something very controversial in today’s passage that I am sure many teachers of the law wish he hadn’t. He says that “anyone who sets aside one of the lea Read More 11 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Standing in the Gap - The Hope Podcast by Aneel Aranha

https://podcast.aneelaranha.com/1982200/10821319 3 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Matthew 5:13-16 - Salt and Light - The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha

https://bitesizedgospel.aneelaranha.com/1997611/10808455 3 Likes

Aneel Aranha

The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha — Matthew 5:13-16

*Matthew 5:13-16 - Salt and Light*
Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This can describe two sets of people in Christian ministry: those in visible service an Read More 11 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Bless and Be Blessed - The Hope Podcast by Aneel Aranha

https://podcast.aneelaranha.com/1982200/10821088
Have a blessed week! 4 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Matthew 5:1-12 - The Beatitudes Explained - The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha

https://bitesizedgospel.aneelaranha.com/1997611/10808436 5 Likes

Aneel Aranha

The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha — Matthew 5:1-12

*Matthew 5:1-12 - The Beatitudes Explained*
These beatitudes - I like to call them BE Attitudes - are eight attitudes that Jesus says will bless us. They are not easily understood, but let me try to Read More 7 Likes

Aneel Aranha

You Are A Beloved Child - The Hope Podcast by Aneel Aranha https://podcast.aneelaranha.com/1982200/10867697 3 Likes

Aneel Aranha

This Saturday on "An Hour with Aneel Aranha" — Envy. To register FREE for the Zoom session, WhatsApp +91 90821 01605. 17 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Matthew 5:38-42 - An Eye for an Eye? - The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha https://bitesizedgospel.aneelaranha.com/1997611/10874940 2 Likes

Aneel Aranha

The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha — Matthew 5:38-42 *Matthew 5:38-42 - An Eye for an Eye?*
When Jesus was quoting that part about “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” he was actually quoting Scripture, and we can find the phrase (or something similar) in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. People often point to this as saying that God allowed for vendetta, but that isn’t true. This phrase, which is *not* to be taken literally, is based on the principle of fair justice. It essentially means that the punishment should correspond in kind and degree to the injury.
Let me explain. It is the rare human being who, when hurt, does not desire vengeance. Given the opportunity, he will often inflict greater damage than has been suffered. “You killed one of mine; now I will kill ten of yours.” You see this in the movies all the time. So, to prevent excessive punishment at the hands of an avenging individual (or government), the “eye-for-an-eye” policy ensures that the punishment should fit the crime.
Now, this is justice. But like Gandhi, who was very inspired by Jesus, said, “An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.” And that is precisely what is happening to the world. A desire for vengeance is resulting in a vicious unending spiral of pain that never seems to end because everyone is reacting only in hate. Hurt continues to be inflicted, and old wounds get deeper while new wounds are constantly being gouged.
How does it end? It will end only if one party says, “Enough. You hurt me if you want; I won’t hurt back. No matter the provocation.” And then, if this person can follow through on his decision, the cycle of unending pain might cease. It isn’t easy because sometimes the other person goes on hitting and hitting, often under the belt, and you want to hit back just to make him stop. Not reacting can take everything out of you because a part of you keeps crying: foul!
I have found myself tested on this, and finally, the only way I managed to succeed (kind of!) was to think of Jesus’ Passion and how he didn’t retaliate. In the Garden of Gethsemane, when Peter raised his sword to defend him, Jesus rebuked him harshly. “Put your sword away, Peter. If I wanted, I could have twelve legions of angels to defend me? But this is how it should be. (See John 18:11, Matthew 26:52).
He did that for us. Let us do the same for him.
May the Spirit be with you. 4 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Matthew 5:33-37 - How Long Is Your Nose? - The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha https://bitesizedgospel.aneelaranha.com/1997611/10874906 4 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Joanita Fernandes My loving jesus you know my Jesus what miracle I want wipe our tears with your holy hands and turn o Read More

Francis Dsouza Amen 🙏

Kamla Nair Thank you brother

45 Likes

Aneel Aranha

The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha — Matthew 5:33-37 *Matthew 5:33-37 - How Long Is Your Nose?*
"What is truth?" Pilate famously asked Jesus in their conversation before the Roman governor had him flogged. If Pilate found the question difficult to answer, we find it almost impossible in these days of depravity. This is because very few people believe that moral truth is absolute. For most of us, the truth is a matter of expedience - whatever is convenient at the time.
So we lie. This is bad enough, except sometimes we try to give our lies credibility by making oaths to back them up. For the Pharisees, it was the order of the day. They made impressive statements, often in the name of heaven, the earth, Jerusalem, or even their own heads, as though they had ownership over them all.
We are often guilty of the same. When I was growing up, we used to make promises in God's name with a declaration that was as absurd as it was grammatical nonsense, "God promise," we'd say. Or we'd swear on our mother's name. Every culture has its own variations, like the famous "pinky promise," where two people making the promise entwine their pinky fingers. Ever done that?
Jesus tells us to stop all this. The Hebrew Bible approved of some oaths and vows (as in Numbers 5:19-22; 6:2), but Jesus' point was not that oaths were evil so much as our motivations in making them. And why call upon God to stand witness for us? We shouldn't be taking his name in vain, to begin with. Let our yes be yes, he says. Simply tell the truth.
The world lacks people of integrity today. It would be wonderful if we Christians could be men and women of integrity, people of their word. How do we begin? Like everything, with the desire to be honest. Then by asking God for his grace. And then some practice. And, oh yeah, you can read the story of Pinocchio.
May the Spirit be with you. 4 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Do You Want To Be Healthy? - The Hope Podcast by Aneel Aranha https://podcast.aneelaranha.com/1982200/10847670 5 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Matthew 5:31-32 - A Matter of Divorce - The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha https://bitesizedgospel.aneelaranha.com/1997611/10847660 4 Likes

Aneel Aranha

The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha — Matthew 5:31-32 *Matthew 5:31-32 - A Matter of Divorce*
Ok, today we are going to talk about another subject that people don’t like to talk about: divorce. Studies have shown that the divorce rate has risen by 250% since 1960 and steadily rising despite the number of marriages falling. The most common reasons for divorce include lack of commitment, excessive arguing, marrying too young, unrealistic expectations, lack of equality in the relationship, and, of course, infidelity. The divorce rate among Christians is about par with the rest of the world, so let us briefly look at what God has to say about the subject..
One day the Pharisees went to Jesus wanting his opinion on the matter of divorce, because the Mosaic law allowed for it. Jesus was typically blunt. He said, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not like this from the beginning” (Matthew 19:8). God has never approved of divorce, but he recognized it happens, so he gave instructions to regulate it, mostly to protect the woman. She needed to be given a certificate of divorce.
This certificate had to do three things. One, state the reasons for the divorce. Two, ensure the woman was provided for financially. Three, allow her the freedom to remarry. In today’s passage Jesus speaks about this certificate, but he does one of his — “You have heard it said ... but I tell you” — statements, going straight to the heart of the matter, and declaring his final word on the subject. And it isn’t a pleasant final word. He says, “Certificate notwithstanding, I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
The only reason Jesus says is grounds for divorce is adultery. However, divorce is not *demanded* after adultery; it is only permitted. God’s way is always the way of forgiveness and reconciliation. So, why aren’t other reasons valid? It would help us to understand marriage from God’s perspective. Jesus said (I paraphrase): “Don’t you know that at the beginning God made man and woman, and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife; the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate” (Matthew 19:4-6).
Having a Christian marriage means little if both partners don’t believe that God is joining them together as one flesh, which essentially means they become like one. If we understand, accept, and practice this truth, the other factors listed as reasons for divorce cease to matter. In fact, they may cease to exist. For a deeper understanding, please read 1 Corinthians 7.
May the Spirit be with you. 8 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Expect Good Things to Happen - The Hope Podcast by Aneel Aranha Here's a short message to get your week started. 4 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Matthew 5:27-30 - Dealing with Lust - The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha https://bitesizedgospel.aneelaranha.com/1997611/10847651 8 Likes

Aneel Aranha

The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha — Matthew 5:27-30 *Matthew 5:27-30 - Dealing with Lust*
"If you so much as *look* at someone with lust in your heart you have committed adultery with them,” Jesus said. Is there anyone among us who has not looked at someone with lust in their heart? I seriously doubt it. Which means that all of us have committed adultery and we know the consequences of that.
But the point of this is not to tell us that we are all going to hell unless we quit looking at people lustfully; it is to strip the Pharisees of their sense of self-righteousness. Please do keep that in mind when you read these things that Jesus says because they are often taken out of context.
So, you may ask, is it ok to look at people lustfully? No, of course not. But how do we stop? Well, first we need to want to stop, and that desire comes from understanding that people are not objects. They are persons just like we are and as we wouldn’t want others to objectify us, we shouldn’t objectify others.
The next thing to do is change the way we look at them. Several years ago God taught me a beautiful way of doing this. He said, “Look at them as I look at them, as beautiful beings that I have created in my own image and likeness with the potential to do amazing things if you could help them.” And, for the most part, it works. When it doesn’t, I revert to another method that God taught me. To turn my gaze towards him and long for him instead. It’s better to drink the living water, which will fill us, unlike the other water that only leaves us thirsty again (see John 4:1-26).
And, then, of course, there is the advice Jesus gives us to cut off all sources of temptation from our lives. If your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out. If your hand causes you to fall, cut it off. Translated, this means: Do not watch, listen, or read anything that could nourish impure thoughts, feelings, or fantasies because it is one short step to a very slippery slope.
Let me know which one works for you. I gave a talk a few weeks ago on the subject of lust that might give you a few added insights into the subject. You might want to check that out. https://youtu.be/QwwYqVFd7iM
May the Spirit be with you.
https://youtu.be/n-t_HkA7jrM 5 Likes

Aneel Aranha

An Hour with Aneel Aranha - The Seven Deadly Sins: Anger Here is a recording of yesterday’s talk on *Anger* if you missed it, want to watch it again, or would like to share it: https://youtu.be/FAN2zvdgwzw. 9 Likes

Aneel Aranha

U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade abortion landmark About time! 10 Likes

Aneel Aranha

This is the Day the Lord has Made - The Hope Podcast by Aneel Aranha https://podcast.aneelaranha.com/1982200/10828670 5 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Francis Dsouza Amen 🙏

Rajo Beepath Amen

35 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Matthew 5:23-26 - Please Forgive Me - The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha https://bitesizedgospel.aneelaranha.com/1997611/10808944 5 Likes

Aneel Aranha

The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha — Matthew 5:23-26 *Matthew 5:23-26 - Please Forgive Me*
Ok, here’s a question to get us started. When is the last time you said, “I am sorry” to somebody? We’re not talking about apologizing when we bump into someone or drop something by mistake, but about apologizing to somebody for a grievous hurt that we may have caused them. If you are a “typical” person, the probability is high that it has been a very long time since you asked for forgiveness for something that you did to cause someone pain. Why? Why is sorry such a hard word to say?
We all make mistakes. And despite our best intentions to the contrary, we will continue to make them. We will say things we shouldn’t say and do things we shouldn’t do. This will happen in the best of relationships. When we apologize, we take responsibility for our actions, admitting that we made a mistake. This brings healing to relationships, which will otherwise deteriorate and break, sometimes irreparably. Why would we want that to happen, especially after all the time and energy invested into relationships?
Pride is what stops us from admitting our mistakes and apologizing for them. We think it is a sign of weakness or a confirmation of guilt. We believe the other party will take advantage of what they perceive as weakness or hold our admissions against us for the rest of our life. Admittedly, while some people might do this, most will not. They will accept the apology with grace, and although saying “sorry” can’t do anything to change the past, it would have eased the heartache that the harsh words or actions caused.
In today’s passage, Jesus emphasizes the need for being at peace with the people we have hurt. “If you come to me with an offering,” he says, “and you remember that your brother or sister (or spouse or partner!) has something against you, leave your gift at the altar. Go make peace with them, then come and offer your gift. Otherwise, I don’t want it.” Let us take these words to heart and try to make things right with those we have offended or hurt. I know that sorry seems to be the hardest word, but God will give us the grace to make it easier to say. So, dear friend, say it.
I want to take this opportunity to say sorry to all the people that I have hurt out there. Please forgive me.
May the Spirit be with you. 1 Comments

Lucian Veira Amen.

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Aneel Aranha

Make Your Scars Your Testimonies - The Hope Podcast by Aneel Aranha Celebrating the 50th episode of The Hope Podcast. Approaching 50,000 downloads! Thank God. And thank you for making them so successful. 1 Comments

Lucian Veira Yes Br. Aneel I do have old & new scars..An old one I had to stop working because of an injury I had Read More

9 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Matthew 5:20-22 - Self-Righteousness - The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha https://bitesizedgospel.aneelaranha.com/1997611/10808873 4 Likes

Aneel Aranha

The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha — Matthew 5:20-22 *Matthew 5:20-22 - Beware of Self-Righteousness*
The Pharisees were members of a religious group who lived during the time of Jesus. Their name means “separated one,” and they took this separation very seriously. They separated themselves from society to study and teach the law, but they also separated themselves from the common people because they considered them spiritually unclean. They would refer to these people as “sinners” while believing themselves holy.
Jesus used to get mad with the Pharisees, calling them a brood of vipers and such. Why? There were several reasons, but chief among these was their sense of self-righteousness. We can be guilty of this, too, so let us understand what self-righteousness is if we want to ensure that Jesus doesn’t say *we* belong to a family of snakes!
The Pharisees had rules, lots and lots of them! Not only did they have the Ten Commandments, but they also added another 618 rules to this list. And they followed them to the letter. They really did! They obeyed all the rules that were laid down. They went to the temple and prayed. They tithed and gave alms. They didn’t commit adultery or murder. They ticked off all the boxes! And because they did, they believed they were good people who had earned the right to go to heaven! This is self-righteousness.
They didn’t understand that despite doing all this, they remained sinners in need of a savior! Jesus loved them and repeatedly tried to strip them of their self-righteousness so they would realize their sinfulness and repent for it. This is why we hear him say in today’s passage: “You think because you haven’t killed anybody, you are not a murderer?” “You call somebody a fool, and you have done the equivalent of committing murder.”
But they didn’t get it. How can calling somebody a fool be the same thing as committing murder? Their massive rulebook didn’t say this. Do *we* get it? Or, like the Pharisees, do we believe we need to follow the rules to get to heaven? Or that we are good people because we tick the right boxes — you know: go to church, belong to a prayer group, say a devotion daily, give to charity: tick, tick, tick, tick — and believe we have got our ticket to heaven. What saves us is not following rules but getting into a relationship with Christ. This begins with acknowledging we are sinners and consequently repenting and being baptized in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins (see Acts 2:38).
Then we obtain the righteousness we are required to have. “This righteousness,” Paul tells us, “is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:22-24).
Please read, listen, or watch all the reflections for Matthew 5 to get a better understanding of self-righteousness (https://aneelaranha.com/index.php/the-bite-sized-gospel).
May the Spirit be with you. 11 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Want to See Miracles? - The Hope Podcast by Aneel Aranha https://podcast.aneelaranha.com/1982200/10821328 4 Likes

Aneel Aranha

The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha — Matthew 5:17-19 *Matthew 5:17-19 - Great Rewards*
Jesus says something very controversial in today’s passage that I am sure many teachers of the law wish he hadn’t. He says that “anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven”. What’s the controversy? Jesus seems to imply that anyone who breaks one of the commandments might be the least in the kingdom of heaven, but he will be *in* the kingdom of heaven!
What could he possibly mean? Let us understand a few things. The law is the law that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai: the Ten Commandments. These laws are as valid today as they were when they were given, because following them ensures a harmonious relationship with God and fellow man. But it is practically impossible to follow these laws by human effort as anybody who has ever tried can attest. And the people who do and think they are succeeding become remarkably self-righteous. Like the Pharisees.
The Pharisees believed they were following the law, and not satisfied with Ten Commandments, they added another six hundred to them! They believed that obeying these laws guaranteed them admission into heaven, but Jesus tried to get them to realize their foolishness. “Do you think just because you haven’t slept with another man’s wife you haven’t committed adultery?”, he asked one day. “You so much as *look* at a woman with lust and you have committed adultery” (see Matthew 5:27-28).
So, we can’t get to heaven by merely following the law. We get to heaven by following Jesus, who fulfilled the requirements of the law by living the perfect life without sin that we couldn’t live. Then, sinless, he paid the price for our sins by dying in our stead as the perfect sacrifice: the lamb of God without blemish. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord,” (Romans 6:23) declares Scripture. When baptized, we are united in Jesus. Consequently, when he dies, we die with him, all our sins nailed to the cross with him; and when he rises, we rise with him to eternal life.
*That* is the entrance ticket to heaven. Now, God still demands holiness, but whereas we couldn’t do this before through our own efforts, with the new life comes the Holy Spirit, who resides in us. He helps us to live the life of holiness that God asks us to. But what if we fail? Well, we can still trust that God’s mercy and forgiveness will see us through to heaven because of Jesus’ sacrifice, but we should strive unceasingly to follow the commandments, and teach others to follow them too. And what are these commandments? Jesus simplified it. Love God. Love your neighbor. That will ensure a great reward in heaven.
May the Spirit be with you. 11 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Standing in the Gap - The Hope Podcast by Aneel Aranha https://podcast.aneelaranha.com/1982200/10821319 3 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Matthew 5:13-16 - Salt and Light - The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha https://bitesizedgospel.aneelaranha.com/1997611/10808455 3 Likes

Aneel Aranha

The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha — Matthew 5:13-16 *Matthew 5:13-16 - Salt and Light*
Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This can describe two sets of people in Christian ministry: those in visible service and those who work unseen. Some work in the public eye like preachers and teachers, worship leaders, and others who are always in the spotlight. And some work behind the scenes, like intercessors, who largely go unnoticed. The former are like lights on the street; the latter are like salt in food.
Let us look at each because we are all called to be one or the other, if not both. Mother Teresa was both salt AND light. The preferred ministry is to be like the light because we get noticed. We cannot help but be noticed because we are in the spotlight, and we can get quite a kick out of it. We like it even more when we are appreciated. And we also have a greater sense of satisfaction because we can often see the fruit of our work before our eyes.
On the other hand, being in a ministry that calls us to be like salt might be less satisfactory because gratitude is rarely received, much less praise. The credit always goes somewhere else. Consider the food that we eat. Without salt, it is bland and tasteless, yet if one enjoys a good meal, it is the food they praise, not the presence of the salt in it. And this sometimes makes people who work as salt resentful because although nothing can happen without them, they are seldom acknowledged.
But, they should not be despondent because Jesus tells us that the reward in heaven is greater for those who go unappreciated here on earth. Those who work as the light should realize this truth, too, because as Jesus says in today’s passage: let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works, but give glory to your Father in heaven. We should never seek glory for ourselves.
So, salt or light, let’s make sure we provide good flavor or brilliant light. And let us do it only for the glory of God.
May the Spirit be with you. 11 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Bless and Be Blessed - The Hope Podcast by Aneel Aranha https://podcast.aneelaranha.com/1982200/10821088
Have a blessed week! 4 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Matthew 5:1-12 - The Beatitudes Explained - The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha https://bitesizedgospel.aneelaranha.com/1997611/10808436 5 Likes

Aneel Aranha

The Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha — Matthew 5:1-12 *Matthew 5:1-12 - The Beatitudes Explained*
These beatitudes - I like to call them BE Attitudes - are eight attitudes that Jesus says will bless us. They are not easily understood, but let me try to explain them in a sentence or two.
One, the poor in spirit are essentially people who recognize how impoverished they are without God’s grace and assistance.
Two, those who mourn are people who struggle with life and sinfulness, constantly seeking God’s help in overcoming their difficulties.
Three, the meek are those who are like little lambs allowing themselves to be led by the shepherd, or if you prefer, led by the Spirit.
Four, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are those who don’t want their will in their lives, but only the will of God. These are people who offer their lives to God as a living sacrifice as Paul advises (see Romans 12:2).
Five, the merciful are those who understand how much in need of mercy they, themselves are, and consequently do not hesitate in extending mercy towards others. These are people who will forgive those who hurt them no matter how often or how deep the hurts are.
Six, the pure in heart are those who seek to do everything for the love and glory of God.
Seven, the peacemakers are those who heal instead of hurt, repair instead of break, seek harmony instead of turmoil.
And, finally—eight—blessed are those who accept suffering gladly because it allows them to be partakers in Christ’s suffering. This is especially true when it is because of their faith in him, or because of their proclamation of his kingdom here on earth.
These are the eight beatitudes. This is the checklist that will tell you how you are faring in your spiritual journey.
May the Spirit be with you. 7 Likes