Matthew 6 - 7.31.24

Scripture

Matthew 6:33

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Observation

This chapter is full of so much wisdom and instruction: the Lord’s Prayer, warnings about serving God with the right intentions, warnings about the love of money, and admonitions that worrying shows a lack of faith. But as I read the chapter over a number of times, I realized that the focus was ultimately on one thing – putting God first.

Application

Matthew 22:37-38

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the FIRST and greatest commandment.

Matthew 6:9-10

9  “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

10  your kingdom come,

your will be done,

    on earth as it is in heaven.”

The FIRST thing we should pray is for His will to be done – in all things. We learned on Sunday that the tithe is the FIRST of our income. If we are putting God FIRST, we won’t be tempted to perform in our serving, our giving, our fasting, our prayers because it is for Him rather than for us.

Jesus says if we put our focus and priority on Him, He will meet our needs.

We are to make God’s sovereign rule, and a right relationship with Him, the highest priority in life. Worry is inconsistent with this priority; it doubts the sovereignty or goodness of God and distracts from the true goals of life. God will meet all the needs of those who risk all for Him. ESV Reformation Study Bible

Prayer

Lord, thank you for this reminder today that my ONE job is to put my focus on You. You promise to guide me and direct me and make my paths straight when I follow You. You promise to love me and provide for me. Help me to remember to stand upon Your promises and focus my eyes on You in good times and in bad.

- Debbie Dunn

Matthew 5 - 7.30.24

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew 5:14 – 16

14 “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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

OBSERVATION:

Jesus is speaking to his disciples in chapter 5 in the Sermon on the Mount. He begins with the qualities and experiences that bless the people who live their life in Christ. This section is famously called the Beatitudes. As a believer, the Beatitudes is a Godly roadmap of how He wants to bless us as we walk, talk, think, act and experience our day-to-day life. The Beatitudes show how believers receive blessings. The next section, verses 14 -16, show how believers impact the world.

Jesus begins in verse 14 with a statement: You are the light of the world. As a believer in this dark and dreary world, God’s light in us shines to others. This is especially true if we use the Beatitudes as our example of how God wants us to live – and how He will bless us, and ultimately how we can show God’s light to others. Jesus then makes a statement: “A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” If God’s light within us shines, when we do His deeds, it’s impossible for others to not see it.

Verse 15 is a challenge to those who might have ever hidden their faith or the light in their life. He uses the logical way we use light in a room. Someone would never light a lamp and then cover it with a bowl. That seems so silly to even imagine! He then said “Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” Jesus used this contrast to explain the importance of not holding back our light to the world. It’s also an encouragement that our light will shine around to everyone we encounter – as long as we don’t intentionally hide it.

Jesus concludes, in verse 16, the whole reason for sharing our light and not hiding it: so our good deeds (see the Beatitudes) will cause others to give glory to God. Each time we help someone in need, lead someone to Christ, pray with someone, lend a hand, support those suffering, and all other good deeds, we are shining His light to a dark, lost, and hurting world.

APPLICATION

In hearing Jesus’ words that “you are the light of the world”, I am encouraged and empowered to be the light He wants me to be. When I read the part about hiding His light, I’m also convicted. Throughout my Christian life, it’s been easy to share how Jesus transformed my life, saved me, and is the light in my life, yet I’ve struggled with the individual process of leading people to Christ. It’s not that I’ve never led someone to Christ – just that it’s not been as often as there have been opportunities. I hid my light out of fear, embarrassment – you name it. I know that God highlighted this scripture to me as an encouragement and motivation to shine my light, in all circumstances, so God gets all the glory.

PRAYER

Lord, I’m so thankful for your saving grace. You have transformed my life from the pit of hell and darkness to being in the light. I want your light in my life to shine bright for all to see – and to give you all the glory. It is because of you that my life has been transformed. Help me, Lord, to be bold in sharing your saving grace with others, and to never hide your light to those around me. In Jesus mighty name I pray. Amen and Amen.

- Mary Oberg

Matthew 4 - 7.29.24

Scripture

Matthew 4:8-11

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Observation

Immediately after being baptized by John, and receiving the Holy Spirit, with a Voice from Heaven saying, this is my Son whom I am well pleased, (see Matthew 3), Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to fast and be tempted by Satan. Following that wilderness experience, He was attended by angels and began His ministry.

Jesus was put to the ultimate test of complete surrender to God during His experience in the wilderness and fasting for 40 days and 40 nights (verse 2). God had to break Jesus down, make Him dependent on Him alone, and test Him before He was able to start His ministry. As most of us know, Jesus’ ministry was an extremely humbling one…obedient completely to death. 

Of course, Jesus passed the test and He did not give in to any of the temptations presented to Him. He worshipped and served the One True God, instead of what the devil was willing to offer Him in this world. 

Application

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” -1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Pastor Levi has been going through a series about money. As a person who manages the finances in our home, I’m all about being responsible with money, working hard to pay off debt and managing what the Lord has given us with excellence. I also like enjoying the good things He has graciously blessed my family with (1 Timothy 6:17). However, the love of what this world has to offer and lack of contentment is NOT what God has called us to. 

Even King Solomon, when God told him that He would give Him whatever He wanted, didn’t ask for wealth, long life or the death of his enemies, which are things of this world, but rather wisdom and discernment. (See 1 Kings 3:1-15).

When false teachers say that godliness is a means to financial gain, 1 Timothy 6:5 completely refutes that. This world is our temporary home. Let’s invest our time and money into furthering God’s Kingdom, which will last for eternity, instead of the things of this world, which will fade. 

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” -1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Prayer

Dear Lord, 

You came so humbly to this world and left so humbly as well. Whenever I get tempted to put my hope in anyone or anything other than You, help me to refocus my mind and heart on You and Your promise of eternity. In Hebrews 13:5, You say to keep my life free from the love of money and be content with what I have because You will never leave me or forsake me. Help me to be content in You alone. Help me not to be overcome by the temptations of the enemy. As I continue to put my hope in You, You will richly provide me with everything for my enjoyment. (1 Timothy 6:17). Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi