Happy Monday G+ Friends! I want to share something with you that was on my mind through the night. Matthew 5:47 "And if ye salute your brethren only what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?  Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary - Matthew 5: 43-48 The Jewish teachers by neighbor understood only those who were of their own country, nation, and religion, whom they were pleased to look upon as their friends. The Lord Jesus teaches that we must do all the real kindness we can to all, especially to their souls. We must pray for them. While many will render good for good, we must render good for evil; and this will speak a nobler principle than most men act by. Others salute their brethren, and embrace those of their own party, and way, and opinion, but we must not so confine our respect. It is the duty of Christians to desire and aim at, and to press towards perfection in grace and holiness. And therein we must study to conform ourselves to the example of our heavenly Father, 1Pe. 1:15,16. Surely more is to be expected from the followers of Christ than from others. Let us beg of God to enable us to prove ourselves his children. I wish each of you a prosperous and blessed new week.

What stronger consolation could believers desire than this? Whatever happens, they at least are never completely friendless and alone. #Christ is ever with them. They may look in the grave, and say with David, "though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me." They may look forward beyond the grave and, say with Paul, "we shall ever be with the Lord." (Psalm 23:4, 1Thes. 4:17.) He has said it and he will stand to it, "I am with you always, even to the end of the world." "I will never leave you and never forsake you." We could ask nothing more. Let us go on believing, and not be afraid. It is everything to be a real Christian. None have such a King, such a Priest, such a constant Companion, and such an unfailing Friend, as the true servants of Christ. ~ J.C. Ryle - source:bibledevotionals.tumblr_nqlznlQCz1qbjeq7o1_540