Have you ever thought about how to be a better person? A person who loves and cares for others, their community, the society and the world?

I would like to invite you to join me on a journey of Reflections, reflections on lessons taught by the greatest men and women of human history.

Today I would like to share some notes from my reflection on the lessons taught by the Lord Jesus. These themes are extracted from the book of Matthew Chapters 5-7, Sermon on the Mount by our Lord Jesus Christ.

I have been blessed and challenged to try and live every day by applying these lessons, which I believe is essential for the prosperity of every society and the world.

1. Love God, work for God & have a life mission of love: serve God, (in other words serve love, selfless love for others) seek to do what God wants and pursue His mission of love and salvation for all.
2. Pray, don’t be too hard on yourself, share your burdens with God and have a trustworthy support group: pray about everything to God, be sincere with Him, share the best, the good, the bad and the worst with Him, your sins and daily provisions and ask for grace. Also, have a dependable safe place for sharing your emotions, your joy and tears, and mental well-being.
3. Do not worry & be optimistic: as long as there is life, there is hope; things can turn around for the best; put your trust in God and hope for the best.
4. Seek help when necessary: the journey is not meant to be a lonely one; God has put love and help for others in the heart of people, irrespective of their faith. Share your burdens, and sometimes you may find help in places you least expected.
5. Believe you count: No matter where you are or what position you are in, remember that God values you and is willing to go above and beyond for you.
6. Pursue the truth & stand for truth: Do not follow the crowd, always stand for what is true and right with love and kindness, no matter the consequences. Test the truth of everything.
7. Weigh things carefully before you act: think things through, pause to reflect before you take any decision about life.
8. Lay good foundations: A life built on a strong foundation conquers the rain, the floods and the wind. Invest in your life and build a life that can provide a shelter for generations.
9. Shine your light: Everyone has a gift, they are as simple as our ability to speak and our actions; use your gifts, talents and skills to bless others and your community.
10. Invest in value: focus on what is good and invest your all in value.
11. Love all, including your enemies, seek their welfare and care for them; live in peace with them and do good to all people. Seek to be of help to others and do not turn away from others who genuinely need your help.
12. Act responsibly in giving and how you use your talents and possessions; support others and be a blessing to others.
13. Act fairly & kindly: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”; be fair in your dealings with others and seek justice.
14. Control your heart and emotions not to be angry with one another to the point of hatred and harm, but seek reconciliation and learn to forgive; reason with one another, reconcile with those you offend and those who offend you. Do not retaliate or seek revenge but answer evil with goodness.
15. Do not be boastful and vain, and avoid showing off your good deeds and actions to others but be thankful and appreciate the smallest acts of kindness you receive.
16. Live by integrity and sincerity: let your yes be yes, and your no, no. Be true to yourself and others, and do not be afraid to be yourself or hide your inner-self. God already knows everything about you and loves you anyway.
17. Judge not but rather seek to help one another grow into a better person. Everybody has strengths and weaknesses so be kind and judge not, and do not condemn people. You can still love and care for people even if you disagree with them.
18. Be faithful: do not cheat on your partner but be kind, sincere and true, and do not harbour lust in your heart.
19. Do not divorce your partner without a relevant cause but rather seek reconciliation and help each other grow in unity at all times.
20. Deal with the root causes of problems: a sustainable solution is one that eliminates, manages and transforms the root causes of problems into something positive.

By A. Amankwaa | Reflections