The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 7:1-6, 12(day five)  “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”  Jesus’ words are brilliant in this section of His sermon. He knows full well (as should we) that we cannot, on our own, remove any logs (sin).  Only the Lord can do that. Furthermore, this process (every time we are inclined to judge or correct others) of removing our own “logs” should teach us deep humility. Every time we see something sinful in others, there is the possibility/probability of sin in our own hearts and lives that should be dealt with- That’s a lot of confession. And every time the log is removed (only by God) we experience His love and forgiveness- That’s a lot of forgiveness. Maybe we are so quick to judge others because we haven’t experienced and learned from countless times of the Lord’s forgiveness required to adhere to this teaching.

What would our judging words and actions be like (in intensity and frequency) if influenced by hearts that experience constant confession and frequent forgiveness? I’m guessing quite different.

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 7:1-6, 12 (day four) 

Jesus uses the analogy of eyesight a lot in this sermon. In the opening beatitudes, he says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Now he’s showing us what it takes to be able to see God and live with a pure heart, and it’s not easy.

When I used to read this story as a kid I would think, “How do they not know there’s a log in their own eye?! Wouldn’t that hurt?” But that kind of impairment isn’t the sort of thing that happens overnight. Hypocrisy doesn’t spring up out of nowhere. It starts with a small problem of sin, but the longer we go with an unrepentant heart, the more it builds on itself. Eventually, our sin has blinded us so effectively that we look as ridiculous as someone walking around unaware of the log in their eye.

This is why a daily time of confession before God is so essential to the Christian life. We need God’s help in recognizing our own sin. If we’ve developed a log in our eye through years of resentment, pride, and stubbornness, then the only way to remove it is through God’s grace.  The act of humbling ourselves in confession every day before God keeps us from haphazardly judging others, as that kind of judgment only happens in the dark. His grace brings us back to the light, where we can see clearly again.

If you want to follow the golden rule, confession is the first step.

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 7:1-6, 12 (day two) 

For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. vs 2

Have you ever listened to your children, or people who have been around you a long time, using your words when they argue or complain? I have, on more than one occasion, heard my girls arguing using the same phrases I use when disciplining them. More often than not, I cringe to hear my words in their mouths. Whereas when I utter them they come out and I rarely give them thought. To hear them in their mouths is very convicting. It shows how I can often lack grace when I’m upset. Whether we recognize it or not it we often respond negatively to those things we see in others that are really a reflection of our own wounds. When tempted to find fault with someone, find your own contribution to the hurt. You are more likely, then, to show compassion. Recognize where you are weak, and ask the Lord to strengthen those areas rather than castigate someone for struggling with the same issues.

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:25-34 (day seven)

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Matt 6:26

The birds are fed, but do they just sit there and wait for their food to come to them? Maybe just after they are born when they are dependent on their mother, but as they mature, they must work and search for their food. Similarly, you cannot just sit back and wait for God to provide for your every need. He expects you to work. He expects you to search.

Worry and anxiety are heightened by idleness.

The more you sit and wait, the more opportunity you have to doubt and second guess. If you want to be fed (physically and spiritually), you need to get up and get to work. The search will make the feeding more rewarding.

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:25-34 (day six)

“My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! ⁴² There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” -Jesus, Luke 1o:41-42

Sometimes, we worry so much about the “details” that we miss who is right in front of us. I think that is one of the things Jesus is saying in the Sermon on the Mount.

Seek first the kingdom of God…

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:25-34 (day five)

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

It’s worth noting that in this short passage, Jesus 3 times says “Do not worry”, and another time He questions the value of worrying. Why all the worrying?  What is it about the human heart that lends itself to worry?  Let me offer 3 possibilities.

First is trust. Remember earlier in this sermon, in the Model Prayer, we are encouraged to pray that God would give us our daily bread. If we pray that way each day and worry about it later, then perhaps we really don’t trust God to meet our needs.

Second is control (close to #1). We take back control of meeting our own needs (the examples Jesus gives are so inward and selfish focused). It’s a description of someone who has resumed complete control of their lives and all the details involved.

Third is despair. The life that looks into the future without any certainty will worry. It’s a distorted view of the future that makes no provision or accounting for the sovereignty of God, the promises of God, and the indwelling of the Spirit.

Lives marked by vibrant faith, obedient surrender, and joyful hope are ones that find very little space and opportunity for worry.

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:25-34 (day four)

Jesus had us check in on our relationship with money last week. How did that go for you? Was it as convicting for you as it was for me? I hate to break it to you, but it’s not over. Jesus continues the conversation and expands his thoughts on the matter in these verses. He says, “You cannot serve both God and wealth. For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life…”

When we focus on and strive for the things our flesh wants: comfort, security, peace of mind, social status – all of which often involve money – we’ll soon find that the harder we try to get it, the harder it is to take hold of. The tighter the grip we try to have on our circumstances and livelihood or our comfort and security, the more we find ourselves backed into a corner by fear and anxiety. A life pursuing creature comforts on our own won’t get us the real peace that we’re after, we’ll just find that those things don’t satisfy.

We hear a similar message from Jesus in Luke 9:24-25, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?”

Ask the Lord to help you loosen the vice grip you have on your life. That’s when you’ll find life abundant.

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:25-34 (day three)

“Are you not worth much more than they?”

Rather than trying to talk you out of worry, Jesus agrees with you that your grip on security feels tenuous much of the time, as if you’re barely going to make it. He’s stating that circumstances are mostly beyond your control, and that feels scary. Finally, somebody is just saying it: life is hard. What’s more, that somebody was, of all people, the Son of God. This divine human being was telling his hearers, “I deal with this difficult life, too. Everyday.” He goes on to tell them that a God who would give flowers a bigger break than you would not be very loving. In a world that says you don’t matter much, Jesus declares your worth. Your confidence won’t come from trying not to worry, but from this news of your immeasurable value.

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:25-34 (day two) 

And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 

We have a saying in our house “talking about talking about it.” Throughout our marriage we have used this phrase in various contexts. Early on it was used as a defense strategy in an argument to prove who was ‘right.’ Rather than deal with the issue we would go around and around about how and why we got to where we were. PSA: this isn’t a good strategy for young married couples.

I have noticed in recent days we use this ‘technique’ to worry and stress about the overwhelming schedules and responsibilities that come with parenting. We won’t be able to get from point A to point B in time. We don’t have enough bandwidth to help with homework, deal with work issues, get the rest that we need, etc. We often spend so much energy on this crazy cycle it leads to a sense of near hopelessness. We can’t do it. We can’t find enough time.

The time we spent worrying adds nothing to what is before us. It often makes us dread each and every task or chore. We miss opportunities to sit and enjoy because of the next deadline. This scripture doesn’t fix our busy schedules, but perhaps gives us a lifeline in the  midst of a crazy life. If we recognize the ‘worry’ actually takes time, we might be less inclined to do it so much. Wherever God has called you today, be there. Be all there. Tomorrow isn’t going anywhere.