Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6

Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. v4

This verse is repeated several times in this book and Jesus is asking for us to be humble - and our humility should be reflected in our relationship with Jesus.  It is all about Jesus NOT us.  Whatever we do is FOR Jesus.  We should not be focusing on ourselves in our relationship with Jesus.  Submit to Him, please Him, seek forgiveness from Him.  We can certainly ask for things in prayer but we must be mindful that our prayer requests are subject to what God wants for us.  

God may say no, or not now, or yes...we know what God wants because of confirming circumstances among other indications that reveal God's will.

My Prayer: Lord, You are truly a great God...there is none like You.  You created the heavens and the earth and You created and sustain me...You bless me beyond what I deserve.  I am weak and I fail to be the light on a hill that reveals Your glory.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me be the light to the world that You intend for me.

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. v48

In the context of this sermon - the sermon on the mount - Jesus wants his children to love everyone (good or evil).  

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[i] and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? v43-47

The analogy is very clear - Jesus does not say that some people of worthy of His love and some people are not.  Everyone is deserving is His love.  Who are WE to say that some people are not worthy of His love.  When we don't love others as Jesus did we are either explicitly or implicitly saying that WE know who is deserving of love and we decide that some people are not deserving...this is not only not right it is sinful.  We are not to judge NOR are we to withhold love.

On the point of withholding love, we need to strive to love and BE as Jesus is.  This is I believe the point in v48 where we are pushed to grow in Christ.  This same point is made in Hebrews as posted here.

My Prayer: Lord, You love me before I loved You and You picked me before I picked You.  Despite how I refused to love You and then I did...only barely.  Even now my love falls short of what You command.  Thank You that You love me anyway.  What a great God.  You are full of compassion and love.  Please forgive me for withholding love...especially from those closest to me.  Help me love and BE more like You Jesus.

Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Matthew 5

Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. v42

God calls on us to be generous as I have posted here and here. Generosity of course is the antithesis to selfishness.  I am too often selfish - with my time, treasure, talents, etc.  

As I have posted, I should give freely and joyfully to please God...who does not want to please God?

My Prayer: Lord, You are truly amazing in how You give and bless.  You created the heavens and earth and everything in between - and placed us on earth so that we could enjoy the fruits of Your labor.  You also heal, provide, protect, provide rest, and are full of gentleness, mercy, compassion, etc.  I can go on and on and on...and still not praise You sufficiently.  You don't even need me yet You love me and You died for me.  I am not worthy of Your love and blessings.  Thank You Jesus even though I sin.  I am selfish.  Please forgive me.  Help me be more like You - help me give freely and joyfully to all who need.

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Matthew 5

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. v28

I am guilty of such sin. Yet I can recognize my urges as selfish and I seek to be more aware of the control that these selfish urges have on me.  I doubt that I will ever rid myself of these selfish urges but I can be more aware that they are selfish and also seek to separate myself from any influence that might cause these urges to more active.

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God, capable of anything and creator of everything.  You can help me with anything - big or small.  I do want to be more pure and holy and more like Jesus Christ.  Yet I am weak.  I thank You that You love me anyway but I pray for Your forgiveness.  I also pray that You can grow in my heart such that whatever else is in my heart has less influence.  Help me Jesus.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. v16

As Jesus begins His Sermon on the Mount, I can hear him speak directly to me:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. v14-15

For me the challenge becomes:

1. Do I have my lamp lit - am I publicly glorifying God by who I am and what I do to love and serve others in the name of Jesus Christ?
2. Am I going into the world to allow others to see the light of my lamp - am I stepping out or am I hiding under a bowl?

These are challenging questions indeed, and I seek God's help.


 
 My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God - Your light is so bright that it can never be extinguished and it will be seen everywhere.  You are "the way, the truth, and the life", and I desperately seek Your help Jesus.  I am weak and I fail to light my lamp and I fail to show my light publicly when it is lit.  I know You love me anyway so thank You but please forgive me for my lack of a bold and daring faith.  Help me Jesus.  Please grow in my heart and in my life Jesus.

When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee.

Matthew 4

When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. v12

Upon reading Matthew 4 and the above verse, it struck me as odd that Jesus would withdraw.  Jesus does not need to withdraw from anything or anyone!  He is God!  But after thinking about this, it dawned on me that the timing was not right for Jesus to find himself in trouble yet...His ministry needed to gain steam before the appointed time for Him to go to the cross.  Simply, there was more for Him to do.  There was a plan of course.

For me this causes me to be more aware of how God may be using my current circumstances as part of His plan and how He may be directing me.

In terms of my current circumstances, I think of the verse here.

In terms of how God may be directing me and how I can know God's will:
- read God's Word
- pray
- do I have confirming circumstances
- do I have confirming witnesses or wise counsel of brothers and sisters in Christ
- do I have peace of mind

My Prayer: Lord, You are truly a great God - the one true God!  There are none like You.  You create, You love, You bless, etc.  What an amazing God You are!  That You love me and died for me is incredible!  I am not worthy of such blessing and love.  I seek other Gods (pursuits, etc.) and this is SINFUL.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me!!  Help me Jesus.  Please grow in my heart and transform my heart and my life to be more like You.

‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’

Matthew 4

‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ v10

There is evil in the world and I pray constantly to be protected from earthly and worldly concerns.  Moving to Raleigh helped a great deal - less expensive place to live, etc.  

Jesus protected himself by removing Satan from his presence:

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! v10

To protect myself from Satan, I can:
1. Remove evil influences that serve to distract me
2. Increase Jesus in my heart

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the only influence I want in my life.  I want no other God or influence in my life other than You - Jesus Christ.  You are pure, perfect, holy, and defined by the fruits of the Spirit, love, kindness, gentleness, etc.  I want to be more like You.  Yet I fall down.  I am selfish, and I am lazy among the sin I do.  I know You love me anyway so that thank You, but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me be more like You and help me love You with all of my heart, mind, soul and strength.

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.

Matthew 2

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. v16

What is interesting is that the Magi did not outwit Herod, they simply listened to a warning from God:

And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. v12

A similar warning was given to Joseph:

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” v13

and then again...

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” v19-20 

When circumstances don't go my way, do I see things as directed by God or as "I did not get what I was hoping for?"

I think of the story of Joseph who makes the best of his circumstances.  I also think of the following verse:

...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess 5:18

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are Lord of all, capable of anything, reigning over everything, knowing everything, and defined by love, mercy, kindness, etc.  You love and bless me beyond my imagination and beyond what I deserve...what a great God!  I am not worthy nor deserving.  I sin - I am not pleasing as a worker as You command nor as You intend.  I know You love me anyway, so thank You Jesus.  But please forgive me.  Help me be the man You intend me to be.

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” v17

I see two messages here:
1. That confirming circumstances are key to understanding God's will for your life
2. That God judges all of us...now and upon death.

We should always be looking to God (prayer and His word), confirming circumstances, wise counsel, and for peace for indications of alignment to God's will for our lives.  We should always be growing in Christ (and He in us).

This is in an ongoing process of maturity.

For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.  Luke 12:48.

My Prayer: Lord, Your creation, Your design, Your Plan are all perfect.  Everything You do and everything You will ever do will be perfect.  Although scripture indicates that I am just how You designed me...I am not worthy of all the blessing You have provided me.  I am selfish, harsh and discouraging with me words.  Yet You love me.  Thank You Jesus.  Please forgive me for my selfishness, my harshness, and my discouraging words.  Help me be more like You.  Transform both my heart and my life Jesus.  I want Your desires to be my desires.  Help me also to have a bold and daring faith.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. v20

God uses all of who we are and what we do...he forgives sin and he redeems it for His glory.  Here Joseph and Mary are selected by God (there is no randomness about God's plan) to bring us Jesus.  It took a special couple to do this and here you get a sense of the compassion of Joseph:

Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet^[e] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. v19

Perhaps Joseph got angry but there is no indication of his anger here...just compassion.  He thought of Mary, even in light of what he perceived as her sin.  While Joseph is of course not perfect, he is who God used as the earthly father for Jesus.  Notice also how Joseph is selfless once again:

But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son.

There is no biological reason why Joseph and Mary had to wait to consummate their marriage but they wait.  Specifically this says that Joseph waited....9 months.  This is certainly anti-thetical to how most men would react - I doubt they would be this patient and selfless.  I suppose fear of the Lord played a factor but this wears off and during the pregnancy Joseph's patience was tested and then some as he was probably the object of scorn and ridicule in his town.

Joseph is in many ways the model of faithfulness to one's spouse.

My Prayer: Lord, Your wisdom knows no limits...there is nothing You don't know and You are able to resolve all challenges big and small.  You are also willing to hear from Your children about all challenges big and small.  You LONG to hear from us.  You are jealous for us.  What a great God You are - so full of love!  I am not worthy of such love - I sin.  I am lazy and harsh with my words.  Thank You that You love me but please Jesus forgive me.  Help me be the man You intend for me.  Help me also have a bold and daring faith.

Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.

Matthew 1

Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah. v17

The start of Matthew provides a broad brush overview of how Jesus came about.  There is God's plan to create a strong and powerful nation to glorify and serve Him, then there is sin and evil by the Israelites and so God punishes the Israelites through division and exile.  Then He restores all of us - Jews and Gentiles - through the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Matthew's account of the geneaology here is a reminder of who God is.

• He is a great God that wants great things for His children
• He is just and merciful
• He is full of love, patience, and compassion for all 
• His plan is perfect

Of course there is more to God than just this.  But this overview by Matthew is a good start and a reminder that God loves me, He forgives me, and wants the best for me...all I need to do is trust, love and submit to Him.  He will do all the rest.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed a great God.   Words cannot define how great You are!  You don't need me yet You desire to not only use me as part of Your plan but You love me beyond what I can even imagine.  I am not worthy of such love and blessing.  I am lazy, impatient, and I am selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me trust, love and submit to You with more of my heart, mind, and soul.

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.

Malachi 4

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. v2

Jesus will return - the 2nd coming.  It will be a day of judgement and only those who believe and have faith in Jesus Christ will be saved.  I must not only have faith however, I must live with a level of intentionality so that I can fully become the man God intends for me...to play the role in terms of spiritual head of the household as God intends and commands me to play this role.

I have previously read and posted bout this and I pray that I can and do become the man God intends for me.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are all.  You are everything.  You have created everything, know everything, are everywhere...and You are an active God that works in all times in all places.  You certainly don't need me but You love me, You died for me and You are an active force and spirit in my life.  This is despite my many sins of harshness, impatience, and selfishness, and more.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me for these and my other sins.  Help me be the man You intend for me.  Give me strength.  Help me be bold and daring.  Help me love and encourage and  be selfless.  Help me glorify You Jesus.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

Malachi 3

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. v10

I withhold my time, my talent, and my treasure thinking I am saving something for myself.  When instead, God says that I will blessed the MORE I give. 

I have previously read here how generosity begets blessings not just for the recipient but also for the giver.  I have also read about how I am to be a cheerful giver...that I should be cheerful for what is happening within me as a result of my giving.

My Prayer: Lord, You gave it all - the ultimate sacrifice...not just for me, but for all mankind.  And You continue to give...every day and in all ways.  How great You are Jesus!  You don't need me yet You love me.  You love me despite my sin.  I am lazy and harsh with my words.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me be the man You intend me to be.  Please help me so that Your desires are my desires.  Help me have a bold and daring faith.

So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.

Malachi 2

So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth. v15

Unfaithful is defined as "not adhering to vows, allegiance, or duty".  To me, this is a more broad definition that encompasses a number of responsibilities including being spiritual head of the household, encouraging your wife and children in both spiritual and secular matters, running the household.  To me faitfulness implies faithfulness to the role you accepted at marriage.  While this seems like more work it actually calls me up to be the man God intended for me.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the ultimate model for my life.  I so desire to be more like You.  I know I can never be You - who can!?  You are the one and only true God who creates all, knows all, and is full of love, compassion, and mercy for all of His children, no matter what they do.  You died for me and all of Your other children who live now and for those that come after me including Zach and Dustin.  What a great God You are.  I am not worthy of all of the love and blessing You have and provide for me.  I sin and I will continue to sin.  I am harsh with my words. Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me be the man You intend for me.

“For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble..."

Malachi 2

“For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble..." v7-8

As I have been a community group leader and I teach Sunday school class to the elementary school boys, people look to me to provide leadership.  This is a responsibility that the Lord gives to those who he can trust because He knows that positions of leadership influence others through their actions and words - how they live their faith.

The challenge then for me is to live a faith worthy of the responsibility entrusted to me by God. 

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48

My Prayer: Lord, You are God that is all knowing.  You have a purpose for me and a role for me in Your kingdom...to be part of Your plan.  I don't know Your plan but I feel blessed that I can be part of Your plan.  You are a great God...one full of love, compassion, kindness, gentleness...all the fruits of the spirit and more!  You don't even need me...yet You not only love me, You use me and redeem all of my sin for Your glory.  How great You are!  I am not worthy of such blessing.  I am impatient, and I use harsh words.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me be more like You.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires.  Help me lead a life worthy of Your name.

“Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord."

Malachi 1

“Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord." v14

With regard to whatever we offer the Lord, whether it is our time, treasure, or talent, it must be our best.  Our offering must reflect a love of the Lord that He deserves and that shows that we love Him with all of our hearts, mind, strength, and soul:

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’....Luke 10:27

That our offering must reflect our best is also found here:

You are to give them the firstfruits of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the first wool from the shearing of your sheep...Deuteronomy 18:4

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are not only worthy of my love and worship, You are worthy of my first fruit...the best of what I have to offer in terms of my time, treasure, and talent.  You have blessed me beyond description.  Yet I am not worthy of such blessing.  I am lazy, and I am impatient, and I am harsh with my words.  Thank You that You love me anyway.  Please forgive me for these sins and help me love You with all of my heart, mind, soul, and strength.  Help me glorify You with my life Jesus.

The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.

Zechariah 14

The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name. v9

There certainly will come a day when Jesus comes again back to earth...the end of times.  Indeed on that day Jesus will reign over the whole earth...but does He not now already?  I must live with the end in mind and live with a recognition that Jesus reigns over all of the earth now...and forevermore.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are Lord over all.  You created everything and You are everthing.  You were here in the beginning and You will be here at the end of all times.  There is no earth Lord except You.  Jesus, You are great indeed!  You don't need me yet You love me.  I am not worthy of such love.  I am selfish...I am impatient...I am harsh with my words.  Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me be more like You.  Help me also have a bold and daring faith.