See

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:19-24 (day three)

“If your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.”

A large swath of Jesus’s audience were people who had learned to accept their lot in life as spiritual paupers – that is, people who would never be considered particularly worthy in God’s eyes or in the eyes of the religious powers-that-be. Jesus goes right for the jugular of “the system” when he opens up with the shocking beatitudes, declaring that such poor in spirit, mournful, meek ones are actually blessed, because they are exactly the ones whom God desires to come near and befriend. Here, he goes further still. He proclaims to his hearers that as his words wash over them, those words can bring clarity to them, doing away with their dependence on the myopic teaching of “brilliant” spiritual “actors.” Who needs a bulb when you’ve got the sun?

Treasure

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:19-24 (day two) But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…vs 20a

We were on a trip recently and the phrase ‘jewel in your crown’ came up. The girls had never heard it before, so we had an opportunity to talk about storing up treasures in heaven. When viewed with the totality of scripture, it is an odd phrase. We know that any ‘crown’ that we could achieve will ultimately, and gladly, be laid at the feet of Jesus. The image of accruing possessions or wealth in eternity is used so that we can have some temporal understanding. I can understand money, but it would be better to understand relationship. Our treasure or jewel should be knowing Jesus. The more we know him, the more we desire to be near him. That is a treasure worth having.

Re:Verse Blog – 1/8/24

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:19-24 (day one)

Join us as Senior Pastor Chris Johnson, Associate Pastor Aaron Hufty, and Associate Pastor Bryan Richardson walk us through Matthew 6:19-24 in our Winter Re:Verse Series: “The Sermon on the Mount – Living Kingdom Values.”

On Earth

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:9-15 (day seven)

Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.

 This week has been a roller coaster of emotions for me. On Wednesday, I officiated the funeral of a 23 year old who passed away unexpectedly. On Saturday, I officiated the wedding of a former student to a former intern. In the words of the Preacher from Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4, “There is an appointed time for everything […] a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” The difficulty in this correlation is that both of the aforementioned events were appointed. Both were a part of God’s will on earth. It’s easy to see how the joyous marriage of two young Christ followers fits into this plan, but how can we fit an unexpected death into this? Surely this isn’t what He meant by His “will be done” right? The prayer that Jesus asks us to pray is not for us to change the will of God. Rather, it is an invitation for us to  participate with Him to see the goodness in His will. Whether it be dancing or mourning, God is good, all the time!

Praying the Psalms

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:9-15 (day six)

But may all who search for you
    be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation
    repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”
17 As for me, since I am poor and needy,
    let the Lord keep me in his thoughts.
You are my helper and my savior.
    O my God, do not delay. Psalm 40:16-17

I love reading the Psalms for precisely the point Jesus makes in Matthew 6:1-15: spiritual authenticity. “Don’t pray like the hypocrites” who pursue personal glory and power, and “don’t pray like the Gentiles” who attempt to conjure their impersonal precocious gods with mantras and incantations, Jesus warns.

I am fairly certain that Jesus would say, “Pray like King David.” Cry out to him like a son for his father. Seek him with all your heart. And long for his Kingdom to come.

If you want a daily guide into prayer, read a Psalm; you can’t get more authentic than that.

Lord Teach Us To Pray

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:9-15 (day five)

I remember a young camper in the cabin where I was counselor asking me, “How do you pray?” My response was, “the Lord’s Prayer, of course!” The Holy Sprit helped me to help this young man talk to God by showing how we can use the example prayer as an outline to remember what to say.
Another fond memory I have of the Lord’s Prayer is that of a Chinese church religiously repeating these sacred words at the end of their secret meeting. I’m thankful for this memory of them. It reminds me of what I believe. It makes me question my lack of religious traditions and motivates me to teach my children to memorize Jesus’ words (in English of course).
Perhaps you are twice-removed from such traditions or maybe the Prayer of our Lord does not frequently pass your lips. May I suggest that we approach Jesus with the same sincerity of heart and humble spirit the disciples had when they asked, “Lord teach us to pray” in Luke 11. Let’s unite with all of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world and pray with one voice to our Father who is in heaven.
This Prayer reminds us that talking to Father God isn’t supposed to be complicated. It’s supposed to be a time of worship and devotion to our Creator and Savior. What will you learn this week about prayer you didn’t know before? What needs to change in your prayer life?
Byron Pitts

Minister of Missions and Evangelism

Invitation

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:9-15 (day four)

It is stunning to see the God of the universe inviting us to participate in life with him. He invites us to join in the activities of heaven, to look past the curtain and participate in holy, wonderful things – most of all, prayer.

Sometimes we forget how incredible this invitation is because we have learned to talk to God like a friend – which we should – but may we never forget what an incredible privilege God is extending to us when he invites us to pray.

He invites us to join with the heavenly host proclaiming him as holy. He invites us to speak heavenly realities into earthly places. He invites us to come to him with our every need. He invites us to come to him seeking mercy. He invites us to find our refuge in him when evil surrounds us.

God is inviting you to participate in the things of heaven. Take him up on it.

Earth

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:9-15 (day three)

“Your kingdom come.”

What does it mean to long for God’s kingdom to come on earth? The next two phrases of the prayer lay it out: it means that earth, also, would be a place in perfect harmony with God’s will. Jesus’s words themselves are in perfect harmony with the Old Testament prophets who longed for the day when the knowledge of the glory of the Lord would fill the earth as the waters cover the sea. God pronounced his creation good. To pray this way is to yearn for the day that you will see that goodness in all its fullness.

Forgive Others

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:9-15 (day two) 

But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. Vs. 15

Jesus spoke about his relationship with God the father quite often. Do you remember the language he used? He would often speak of a complete unity, a oneness. He also prayed that we would be one. His desire was that we would be marked by love; known by that gracious, kind, and forgiving nature. Our church-wide theme this year is ‘Love Your Neighbor,’ and in the coming months we will find different ways to demonstrate this command. You may be living your life in obedience to scripture, but holding a bitterness toward someone. As a result, you may feel an emptiness to your prayer life. You may feel there is a hollowness to your faith. Restoring relationships is a full-time calling, and you have received it. Don’t let a broken friendship, bitterness toward family, or past transgressions muddy your ultimate relationship with Jesus.

Re:Verse Blog – 1/1/24

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:9-15 (day one)

Join us as Senior Pastor Chris Johnson, Associate Pastor Aaron Hufty, and Associate Pastor Bryan Richardson walk us through Matthew 6:9-15 in our Winter Re:Verse Series: “The Sermon on the Mount – Living Kingdom Values.”