Hi friends, I'm Annie F. Downs. Let's read the Gospels. The Gospels are the first four books

of the New Testament in the Bible, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These are the stories of Jesus

Christ's life on earth, the friendships, the parables, the sacrifices, the meals, the miracles.

Each month we read all four books. So go ahead and subscribe today and join us as we read the

Gospels together and invite someone to join in. Here's how it's going to work. I'll read three

chapters to you today. You can listen or read along in your own Bible or follow along online.

And then I'll pray. And that's it. So today is August 3rd, day three. And I'll be reading Matthew,

chapters seven through nine. And this month, I'm reading from the message.

Matthew seven. Don't pick on people. Jump on their failures. Criticize their faults.

Unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging.

It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own.

Do you have the nerve to say, let me wash your face for you when your own face is distorted by

contempt? It's this whole traveling roadshow mentality all over again, playing a holier than

the al-part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face and you

might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. Don't be flip with the sacred banter and

silliness give no honor to God. Don't reduce holy mysteries to slogans and trying to be relevant

you're only being cute and inviting sacrilege. Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you

need. This isn't a cat and mouse hide and seek game we're in. If your child asks for bread,

do you trick him with sawdust? If he asked for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his

plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing. You're at least decent to your own

children. So don't you think that God who conceived you in love will be even better? Here's a simple

rule of thumb guide for behavior. Ask yourself what you want people to do for you. Then grab the

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