The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse reading–Matthew 7:1-27 (day four)  “The gate is small and the road narrow that leads to life, and only a few find it” (vs 14) It is something that we “know” if we are honest with ourselves.  More people talk about being Christian than actually are, and the really narrow gate is obedience rather than doctrine  “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (vs 24)  Not everyone who hears the Lord puts what they have heard into practice.  The shocking truth of Matthew 7 is that all of these people are “Christian” in name and reputation.  They are false prophets.  They are trees without fruit.  They are people who call Jesus Lord (even prophesy in His name) but do not obey Him.  Christ is being honest.  We should be honest too–about ourselves, our families, our nation.  It will help us pray.

Re:Verse reading–Matthew 7:1-27 (day three) “How much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him?” (vs 11)  As the Sermon on the Mount comes to a close, Jesus is speaking of the difficulties ahead.  He speaks of imperfect people (do not judge), hard choices (narrow gates), religious imposters (false prophets), superficial disciples (“Lord, Lord” vs 21) and coming storms (vs 25)  Our encouragement in the face of such difficulty?  Prayer.  Jesus knew that we will be less disappointed (and therefore less critical) if our eyes and expectations were not on people in the first place.  So long as we hope people will save us, we will be angry when they don’t/can’t.  When we learn to look to God for our needs, then even difficult roads and assignments become possible and joyful.  “I will lift up mine eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help.  My help comes from God” (Psalm 121)

Re:Verse reading–Matthew 7:1-27 (day two)  “Do not judge lest you be judged” (vs 1) The opposite of judgment is not moral neutrality, it is intercession and involvement.  Jesus is not counseling us to have no discernment re: ethics or doctrine.  He is commanding that we do so with compassionate hearts.  “Brothers, if someone is caught in sin, the spiritual ones among you should restore him.  Do it with a lowly and non-presumptuous spirit, considering yourselves, lest you too be put to the test.  Feel the weight that others are felling and thus fulfull the teachings of Christ”. (Galatians 6:1–translated by Dallas Willard)  It is the consistent call of God.  “Behold, I looked for a man who would stand in the gap before me for the land. . .but I found no one.” (Ezekiel 22:30)  Friend, will you pray for your enemies and friends today? For their recovery?  Will you be involved as God gives you opportunity and guidance?

Re:Verse reading–Matthew 7:1-27 (day one) It is one of the most recognized statements of Jesus.  Even secular people seem to know this verse in the Bible.  Perhaps this is because it fits a modern bias for absolute moral freedom.  Most moderns feel like we should be/are free to make any moral choice without the fear of being criticized or even evaluated.  Jesus, I believe, had something else in mind.  He was warning against being judgmental, not exercising judgement–which would include sober judgement as to choices that are cruel or kind, fair or unjust.  Even people must be judged.  How else will we know who the “pigs” are? (vs 6) Note the explanation that Christ provides to His own words in vs 3-5.  Do not judge harshly, regularly, hypocritically–applying a standard to others that you would avoid using on yourself!  It is judgement that lacks honesty and mercy that is being forbidden–not the ability to discern moral truth.

Re:Verse reading–Matthew 6:19-34 (day seven) “If your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness” (vs 23)  Physical eyesight affects our body and choices.  When the eyes work well, our bodies move efficiently through our environments, around obstacles, toward opportunities.  Spiritual eyesight is the same.  The person who treasures the Kingdom (vs 19-21) sees thing for what they really are.  His whole body is full of light (insight, wisdom).  The person who treasures “things on earth” sees through a distorted filter and makes disastrous choices by reason of his misperception.  Let me see if I have this straight. . .My treasure affects my heart.  My heart affects my eyesight.  My eyesight affects my body and success.  So. . .one of the reasons that I should store up treasures in Heaven is for the positive impact it has on my life now?!  Amazing wisdom!  Amazing opportunity!  Happy Sunday, everyone.  See you in a few hours.  Don

Re:Verse reading–Matthew 6:19-34 (day six)  “Therefore I tell you not to worry about your life” (vs 25)  Do you worry?  Before you answer the question, consider the definition.  The word means “to be pulled in different directions, to be distracted”.  So. . .”Are you pulled in several directions?”  “Are you able to give God your undivided attention/love/energy/obedience or are you hindered from such a commitment by the fear of the cost?”  Jesus was very sensitive to this inner battle that goes on within the people of God.  It is one of the great hurdles of human existence.  We either consolidate our love and energy on God alone or we try to serve Him with only part of our heart.  Jesus encourages choice number one.  He knows it will be the most difficult, liberating choice that we will ever make.  He considers it a natural and necessary expression of true faith.  So dear friend,  do you worry?

Re:Verse reading–Matthew 6:19-34 (day five) “Look at the birds. . .are you not MORE IMPORTANT than they?” (vs 26)   Allow me to borrow words from a national ad campaign to illustrate the words of Christ.  When Jesus says that we are more important than birds, He uses a word (diaphero) which literally means “to carry through”.  It refers to those things that, because of their value, we keep on our persons.  Like “carry on ” luggage or prescription medicines that we “carry through” customs.  We are those “things” to God!  It is a small idea with a HUGE impact!  When we can say “My life is important to God”–of such importance that He gladly contributes food and clothing (things of lower value) in service of the higher goal–at that moment we will be free to stop worrying and trust Him to provide.  You are not alone in your concerns!  Your LIFE is important to God!  We are the company He keeps.

Re:Verse reading–Matthew 6:19-34 (day four) “You cannot serve God and Money” (vs 24)  He does not say you should not.  He says you can’t.  Some of us will try but eventually our lives will only provide further proof that the human heart is incapable of dual loyalties.  God created us for exclusive love.  Whole-hearted, brakes off!  Our hearts cannot balance two masters or two loves.  “The one thing that God can NEVER be is moderately important” said CS Lewis.  It will not work!  The double-minded man will NEVER experience the help that God has promised. (James 1:5)  “Go ‘all in’ or go home” says Jesus.  Assume for a moment that Jesus is correct!  How would one tell whether this exclusive love relationship with God is established and operating?  What would the signs be for a “you shall love the Lord your God with ALL your heart” kind of friendship? The heart is deceitful.  So is money.  Be careful here.

Re:Verse reading–Matthew 6:19-34 (day three)  “If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (vs 23)  What do you want?  What is it that you desire above all other things?  What do you focus on, think about (consciously or unconsciously) all day long?  Jesus calls this deepest desire “the eye” and says that it gives “light” in all other decisions.  Suppose a person is faced with two choices, two opportunities.  How does she decide between them?  Normally she references her ultimate goal and chooses the most helpful path.  In this way, her deepest desire functions as a “light”(wisdom).  But sometimes “light” is “darkness”.  Sometimes what we want is not what we should want, not what God commands us to want.  Just because we desire something doesn’t make it wise or good!  Our deepest desires  will send us down foolish and dark paths until we surrender what we want to God.  Friends, what do you want?

Re:Verse reading–Matthew 6:19-34 (day two) ” Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth. . .but. . .treasures in heaven” (vs19-20)  A dear friend’s mother died recently.  His mom had lived in the same house for 70 years!  After the memorial, he filled two huge dumpsters with things (now useless) that she had saved over the years.  Everyone stores up something.  Intentionally or not.  Memories. . .accomplishments. . .money. . .clothes. . .newspapers. . .  Rather than criticize this human tendency, Jesus redirects it to treasures in heaven (rewards, recognition and approval from the Father for faithful service).  “There is laid up (stored) for me a crown” (2 Timothy 4)  What is one thing that you could do today to shift the emphasis of your life from earth to heaven?  Be as practical as possible! What steps could you take, attitudes could you embrace to harnass this accumulation tendency?  Doing so will have a powerful effect on your heart and your hope.  Jesus knew that our treasures have magnetic powers.