Daily Devotion for August 19, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 7:1-6.

Many of us will forever have a particular image in our minds when we read this passage. At FunDay Sunday this past spring, Pastor Nathan preached from this passage. At a point in the sermon, he reached down and put a hardhat on his head. Protruding from the front and rear of the hardhat was a huge two by four. It was an effective prop to illustrate the passage, and the children’s director immediately asked to borrow the hardhat for Power Up. She wanted to share that powerful image with our kids. Jesus was being humorous when he compared the speck of sawdust in the other person’s eye that we are prone to point out, even when we have a plank protruding from our own eye.

The key point here is that we are not to judge others. I cannot remember how many times I have said, “Not to be judgmental here, but…” and then I proceed to judge someone. We never know enough about the other person, their background, or the details of their situation to be their judge. And as Jesus powerfully reminds us in this passage, we likely have much more to be judged for than does the other person.

Personal Worship Option:

Think for a few moments about opinions you have formed recently about other people. Were some of those opinions negative? Did this amount to judging? Jesus would have us reflect on where we need to be better instead of judging others.

Daily Devotion for August 18, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 6:25-34.

As he often did, Jesus uses images from everyday life to illustrate his teaching. In this case, he points to birds and flowers to paint a picture of what he is talking about. Last month, I shared with some of you about seeing a sloth hanging beside the walkway at the hotel where our Costa Rica mission team stayed. A crowd of 15-20 people had gathered around, taking pictures and being fascinated by this creature of nature. I can imagine Jesus using this little guy to illustrate the same teaching he is offering in this passage. That sloth seemed to have no worries and was certainly in no hurry to go anywhere!

It is all too common for any of us to scurry about with busy lives, filling up our daily schedules and worried about what might happen next (or what else we need to add to the schedule). Jesus was rather clear about an alternative lifestyle that focuses instead on a way of life he taught with both his words and his actions. Make his kingdom your priority. Learn and live his way.

Jesus acknowledges that there are troubles in life (v. 34). He challenges us to stay focused on dealing with the ones we have today. That is enough for now. Trust God to provide for now.

Personal Worship Option:

Join us in worship this morning as we continue exploring this portion of Jesus’ teaching from “The Sermon On The Mount.” I hope to see you at Christ Church! (If you cannot make it in person, be sure to watch online, either live or later.)

Daily Devotion for August 17, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 6:22-23.

Jesus invites us to think about what we are looking for in our everyday living. What is it that gets most of your attention from day to day? For some their focus is on money and how they can make as much of it as possible, seeking more and more of the things of this world. Some people seem to focus on the bad news, others on the good news. Some look to build people up; others focus on tearing them down. Some look for a ray of hope; others only see despair. Some see the possibilities; others see only the problems. What is it that gets most of your attention from day to day?

It is noteworthy that Matthew places these two verses in between two passages that focus on treasures and money. So, for him, that is his focus for this passage, whether we are focused on money and treasures of this world or whether our attention is on God and storing up “treasures in heaven.” So, which is it for you? What gets most of your attention from day to day?

Personal Worship Options:

Take some time to write down where you spent your time and your money over the past month. Offer a prayer to God, asking for wisdom on how you could spend both better.

Daily Devotion for August 16, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 6:19-21, 24.

These verses focus on not letting money and the “things of this world” take on too much importance in our life, making sure that God and God’s ways are our priority. Are you investing in the currency of heaven? The currency of this world will be worth nothing when you die or when Christ returns, both of which could happen at any moment. If you and I stockpile earthly treasure and not heavenly treasure, what does that say about where we put our trust? Whom do you trust? God or the god of more? More will break your heart. But the King of kings will catch you every single time.

Do you find yourself worrying about your everyday needs? Think of times God fulfilled your needs. Share that story with someone today.

Personal Worship Option:

Place your worries and needs before God today. Thank him for taking care of you. Be specific. Face the day with confidence because God is with you!

Daily Devotion for August 15, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 6:16-18.

In this passage Jesus is critical of people who try to get attention for the good things they do, which in this case is fasting. In Jesus' day the Jews put ashes on their heads when they were fasting, as a sign to others of their devotion to God. Jesus was concerned that people were fasting only for the sake of showing it to the people around them. He warned that if people performed religious acts to impress others, they were not impressing God. The discipline of fasting, like prayer, is meant to draw us nearer to God. The disciplines are meant to make us pure in heart before God.

Our spiritual practices are meant for God, for our relationship with Him alone. We should be careful in talking about our fasting or other spiritual practices with other people or posting about them on social media. While there may be a genuine need to share experiences with others, we must think about the temptation to turn others’ attention toward us. Jesus starts verse 16 off by saying “when you fast” assuming that all were fasting. It is clear that fasting and prayer are often cited together in scripture. Have you tried it?

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, help us to focus on the goal of strengthening our relationships with you in all that we do. Whether it is through fasting, prayer, or study, make us be guided by you. Amen.

Daily Devotion for August 14, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 6:9-15.

Our Scripture for today should be very familiar to us. We know it as the Lord’s Prayer. We recite it at least every Sunday during our time of worship to conclude the pastoral prayer. An alternate version of this prayer appears in Luke 11:2-4. We “know” the prayer, but do we really take time to understand what we are asking when we pray it?

Verse 12 says, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Jesus explains what he means in verses 14-15, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Have you ever thought about that phrase? Jesus tells us that God will forgive us in the same measure that we forgive others. That is powerful… and concerning. Because it is too easy to hold a grudge or to be judgmental in our relationships. Yes, forgiveness can be hard work. But Jesus also reminds us that we are not alone. The Holy Spirit is there to help us, to guide us, and to give us the strength to do what we need to do.

Personal Worship Option:

Gracious God, I’ll admit that I don’t always get it right. Help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me and let that spirit of forgiveness become an integral part of my life. Amen.

Daily Devotion for August 13, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 6:5-8.

When you meet with your beloved in the secret place, leave all pretense at the door. Cast aside the cookie cutter prayers and cancel all rehearsal scripts, because to the Lord, you are already completely transparent to Him. God can see right through any wall we put up and through all the fancy prayers we may try to impress with.

Back in the days when Jesus walked the earth, the religious leaders would often put on a public display of eloquent sounding prayers in order to draw attention to themselves.

Sadly, their prayers were rooted in pride, not in love for God.

Jesus makes it clear that lengthy and flowery worded prayers aren’t necessary.

We don’t have to be in a specific place or be before specific people other than the Lord Himself within the privacy of our relationship with Him.

The moment you choose to be open and honest with God is when your relationship with Him deepens. The moment you allow genuine prayers to be birthed from the depths of your heart is when breakthroughs start to take place.

God doesn’t want us to look at prayer time with Him as a task or homework assignment to be checked off. Neither is it a time to perform, not in front of people or Him.

Understand that God already knows your deepest need. When you choose to lean on, trust in, and be confident in Him, He is able to mold you according to His will.

Personal Worship Option:

Today, meet with Him in the secret place. There, you will find more than you ever could across the entire world. Offer your heart-filled prayers to Him and be permeated with His presence. There, He will make you whole again.