Matthew 6:1 Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Do you do things so others can see you doing them, or do you do things because it is rightful to do so?

To often in our lives we end up doing things to impress others so they will “know” we are good. The only reward you are likely to get is the temporary adoration of those around us.

We should be aiming at a permanent reward we can get from God in Heaven; and not because we want to impress God, but because we have learned through His Spirit this is what we should be doing…

James 5:12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear - not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

When you try to tell a lie and try to convince others by swearing an oath about it, you have just condemned yourself to a position of non-trustworthiness before everyone!

No matter how much you try to convince others of one thing which is not true, when the truth does finally come out, everything is uncovered for you!

Keep things simple in life by telling the truth and not having to promise on or swear on something else to uphold your stories; this is pleasing to God!

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

How often do we focus on the negative side of life or of people? How often do we ignore the good and righteous things in life?

Don’t you find it brings you down by thinking about all the wrong things in life?

God wants us to try and focus on our lives with Him and bring what that shows us to the forefront of our thoughts.

If we try to think of the righteous ways and things more often, just maybe we will do and follow those ways!