This episode contains only one story, but the details show that it isn't about what it seems.  The Sanhedrin have begun their investigation that will result in a decision; is Jesus the Messiah or not?

We begin to emphasize the teachings as a progression of consciousness. We use the second part of Matthew Chapter 8 to describe a process that people go through after hearing the message in the Sermon on the Mount. These are building blocks for action, not just stories.  It's all just a bit different than it seems on the surface...

One of the most controversial,  misunderstood, abused and exploited teachings in Christianity is about healing. A person who has a need for healing is also one of the most pressing reasons that people want to be able to speak with the Holy Spirit directly.  This has led to many people being misled or exploited by all sorts of people in the church, in the medical community, and through many other avenues.  Being in the need of healing is normal because we have human bodies that are not perfect.  Although needing healing is what brings many people to God, it's much better to know and understand healing before you need it.  The Holy Spirit can and will heal you, but there are things that you have to understand about this type of healing, and its not usually an understanding that comes instantly.

This episode concludes the Sermon on the Mount and gives us the final understanding of how to make the words of Jesus practical. Choose the right road, build your house upon the rock, watch out for those who are pretenders, and you will withstand the storm!

The middle section of the Sermon on the Mount contains a way out of the vicious cycles that the normal life offers. It gives us transforming initiatives to get to the extraordinary life!

The end of Matthew Chapter 6 includes warnings about the way of the world, possessions, our tendency to be hypocrites, and worry. There is direct information about the good news that can come if we can keep our natural selves in check!

In this section of the book of Matthew, Jesus gives us guidance on three pillars of Christian practice, giving to charity, praying, and fasting, with an emphasis on not being a hypocrite!

This is a special episode where I outline some of the processes I have experienced while being changed by the Holy Spirit.