Bible Verse Synopsis 2-23-25
Matthew 6:
When we give, we are to give in secret. For giving at large and with audience is to seek the approval of men. The only approval that we need is that of the Lord. Do not be like the hypocrites who give in the open and expect praise from man for their gifts. It matters not whether man sees us giving. The same of giving can be said of our prayer life. Do not pray in front of man but pray in secret for the Lord knows what we do always. Do not chant at God, that will get you nowhere. He already knows what we need before we ask. The ask is the admission of being insufficient and needing God to help us.
The model prayer is the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer has everything in it the Lord needs to hear. Admission that His kingdom is here as well as the heavens and that one day His kingdom here will be eternal as well. It admits His all powerfulness. This prayer acknowledges how much we need God both physically and spiritually, for He provides our sustenance! This prayer asks for our release from temptation for we shall surely fail. Free us from this temptation! For the Glory is all God’s and we shall give it to Him forever and ever. To receive these blessings from God, we must treat the other men and women in this world as the same as we would treat God. The equality here brings about the separating factors between true believers and from those that think they know God but have not truly given their hearts over to Him. This is no easy thing to do, but with dedication and practice we can all achieve it. And it truly is not an achievement we can claim ownership of. It is an achievement of the Holy Spirit.
We are also to fast in secret. Let not men know that you are fasting for it is not for them to know. Like all things done for God, do not worry about man’s reaction to it. Do it for the Lord and His glory.
The treasure that lie in wait for us in Heaven are too numerous to count, yet we are called to make more of those treasures in our time on this earth. Do not look to achieve things on this earth that are not directly honoring God. If our eyes are set on things of value here it is impossible to have our heart given to God. Our heart cannot be split in 2 without giving in to moral darkness and being away from His grace. Use your Faith to find God’s direction in your life. Then you can travel with Him on this earth and in His kingdom. If your treasure is in one place, you heart will also be there. (This sign hangs in my living room - Matthew 6: 21).
If our devotion to God leads us to the single purpose lifestyle Jesus preaches on here, the Light of God will shine through us with so much vividness that it will blind the dark souls who have conflicts in their hearts. Be the beacon of His light in a world often devoid of it. Be cautious in our journey as it is impossible to serve God and man. For if we serve one, we will despise the other. Verse 24 tells us this.
Do not fret about the next thing to come in our lives. Not the next meal, the clothes on our backs, or any other things. Give Faith that God will provide. Does not the Lord provide for the fowl in of the air? Does He not provide for the flowers and the trees? These parts of His creation He cares for and you doubt that He will care for you? How shortsighted we often are when at don’t realize how silly we are being. Trust in the Lord exclusively and all of your needs and wants will be provided for.