84th Week, Matthew Chapter 6 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

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Click on Title for Video Intro


Monday, Matthew Chapter 6:1-4
Matthew 6A
Verse 3
Bart Strayer

Verse 3:  “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”

THOUGHT
This verse is about the motivation of our hearts.  We must examine our hearts to see the true motivation of our ‘acts of righteousness’.  It is easy to give with mixed motives.  Like giving something that will benefit us in return.

I must admit; I struggle less with this and more with giving out of discipline.  God wants us to be joyful in our giving.  When I give our tithe to our church, it isn’t always joyful.  It seems more like a routine thing to do instead of a pleasure.  When you are looking for gain from giving, or you are just not a joyful giver, both are displeasing to God.  Next time you write that check, let your heart be filled with joy with all the possibilities that God can do with your resources!

PRAYER
Dear God, put a joy in our hearts when we give.  We admit that we don’t give for the correct reasons all the time, and for that, we ask for forgiveness. Let this be a new day in our giving. Let it bring a joy to our hearts that is unmatched by any other joy. In Jesus Name! AMEN


Tuesday, Matthew Chapter 6:5-14
Matthew 6B
Verse 7
Matt Strayer

Verse 7:  “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.”

THOUGHT
I like this verse because it brought me back to the true meaning of prayer.  Prayer is about our sincere desire to communicate with God.  Prayer is not a formality or a religion. Prayer is about a relationship--the Hotline to Heaven.  We can talk to God anytime, anywhere, for any reason. It is our way to link mind, body and spirit to God.

So why use repetitive words that have no meaning as the pagans did in the verse above.  Open your heart honestly to God and tell him what is on your mind in your own words.  I often underestimate the power of prayer.  As you all know it is real, and it is powerful.  Let’s focus on our prayer life this week and use the Hotline to Heaven.

PRAYER
God, help each one of us today and in the days ahead to communicate with You though prayer. We know that You are our friend, and we can come to You openly and honestly in our own words.  AMEN


Wednesday, Matthew 6:16-18
Matthew 6C
Verses 17-18
Kristen Strayer

Verses 17-18:   “But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”  

THOUGHT
In this passage Jesus talks about fasting.  I realize this isn’t that common anymore, but I think Jesus’s point is very applicable.  He was concerned about the motivation behind the fasting.  Was it being done for God’s glory or the glory of the person fasting?
 
I know I am guilty of this.  I do something good, and I want someone to notice and show appreciation.  The example that comes to mind is cleaning the bathroom, not my favorite job, but it must be done.  When Matt comes home, I always wait to see if he will notice and say something, because I want to
make sure he knows he has a wife who will scrub the toilet, clean the hair out of the drain, etc.  In other words, I want the glory.  In reality, I should be cleaning the bathroom because I love Jesus and want to please Him with my servant heart.

PRAYER
God, help us examine our hearts and make sure our motivation is right for the things we do.  Help us to value Your approval so much more than we value the approval of the world. AMEN


Thursday, Matthew 6:19-24
Matthew 6D
Verse 24
Matt Strayer

Verse 24:  “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

THOUGHT
The first part of the verse describes the serving of two masters.  Jesus explains the difficulty in this and makes it clear that God wants our undivided attention.  He makes it clear that He is to be first in our life. At the Family Life marriage conference Kristen and I attended, the speaker addressed this issue.  He said, “God needs to be first, your spouse second, family third and then you choose what comes next. If these get out of order, bad things tend to happen.”  Jesus makes it clear here in Matthew as well.

Secondly, money and the pursuit of it, are probably the biggest competitors for God’s time and attention.  It certainly doesn’t take long to figure that out.  I listen to it every day, the constant battle for more money. Satan uses it to steel our contentment here on earth.  No one is happy even if they have plenty.  It’s all relative.

To learn from this I think it’s good to look at 1 Timothy 6:10, “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”  I once heard a great sermon on this verse.  The pastor said, “It is not money that is the root of all evil, but the love of it that is.”  We must keep our emotions distant from money and put God first.  God will allow us to have plenty and use it for Him and His Glory.  It is obvious money can be used for great things.  Many of the Salt Shakers are proof of that.

PRAYER
God, help us to constantly put You first in our life.  We want You to be our master.  Help us put our hobbies, money, friends, careers, and family second in line.  We truly want You first.  AMEN


Friday, Matthew Chapter 6:25-34
Matthew 6E
Verse 31
Kristin Strayer

Verse 31:  “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’” 

THOUGHT
In this section Jesus urges us not to worry as our heavenly Father will provide for our needs.  I had a hard time relating to this section.  I think the main reason why is because I have never wondered if I would have food to eat, clothes to wear or a roof over my head.  We live in a very affluent culture, and we have the resources to meet not only our needs but many of our wants as well.

This week Matt and I watched a special on PBS.  College students had the opportunity to ask Bill Gates and Warren Buffet questions.  I don’t remember what question prompted Bill to say this, but he spoke to how he and Warren have accumulated great wealth and instead of them only using it to consume resources for themselves, they want to use their wealth to affect the greatest number of people in the best way possible.  Then a fact flashed on the screen that said something like Bill Gates pays for 90% of the world’s polio vaccines.  I wonder how the world would be affected for Christ if the Christians in this country had a similar mentality to that of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, and we used the wealth God has blessed us with to further His kingdom. 

I can’t help but think of Luke 12:48 which says, “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.”

PRAYER
Lord, thank You so much for everything You provide for us. We are continually blessed with food, clothing, and shelter and so much more.  God, help us to use our resources in the way You want us to. Help us not to be selfish, but help us to see the needs of others. AMEN







                                                                                                                             
















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