October 27-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:16, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
Observe what it is saying.
This is the third Jewish practice of piety that Jesus addresses in Matthew 6. We have discovered that the practices themselves, giving and prayer, are good and necessary to grow our inner life. So, does fasting. This may be the most difficult of the three for many Christ followers. Jesus said, “when you fast” not “if you fast.” He endorsed this as a spiritual practice that should continue for believers. However, as with the other two practices, the spiritual leaders were not providing a proper model of how to do so. They fasted twice a week but turned their piety into a show where they wanted others to know how “spiritual” they were by marking up their faces. However, this was the opposite of what fasting was intended to do. It was a humbling exercise where the faithful learned self-discipline by denying themselves food for a period of time. Instead of drawing them deeper into the heart of God, the leaders’ fake practice revealed how superficial and empty their souls actually were. As we have discovered with the other two practices, fasting is an exercise that will take us to a deeper place where we would not otherwise go. Especially, for comfortable Christians, we desperately need this practice to make us hungry for God.
Relate it to your life.
I need to check my motive in all things to ensure that I am doing them to grow my inner life, not advance my superficial façade.
Do something.
Our Father in heaven, give me such a spiritual hunger that I am willing to give up food or other measures of comfort and convenience to go all in with You. Amen.
October 28-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:17-18, But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Observe what it is saying.
Jews would often put ashes on their head when they fasted as a sign of their humility and brokenness. However, Jesus instructed them to do the opposite and anoint their head with oil. Ecclesiastes 9:7-8 gives an interesting picture, “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil.” Washing and anointing with oil were normal steps in hygiene. David’s head was anointed with oil when chosen as king, and he famously wrote in Psalm 23, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Even in the midst of the most challenging circumstances of life, to be anointed with oil is a sign of God’s healing, provision, and blessing. The point Jesus is making is that when we fast we are not to mope around as though we are dying but should be joyful and celebrate God’s many good gifts like any other time when we are not fasting. Fasting is a very personal discipline that draws us much closer to the Father by stripping away our trust of the material world and drives us deeper into our inner life where we discover the true treasures of heaven.
Relate it to your life.
If I want to enjoy all of God’s blessings, then fasting is a practice that will help me experience them.
Do something.
Our Father in heaven, give me the courage to fast joyfully and experience You more joyfully. Amen.
October 29-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:19-20, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Observe what it is saying.
In Jesus’ sermon, He is now moving on from how to do acts of piety appropriately to the practical matter of investing well. He causes us to consider if we are only investing in this world or if we are investing what we have for eternity. On another occasion Jesus illustrated this: (Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”) Luke 12:15-21 His sin was selfishly living for himself without any regard for God and others. As Christ followers, we must be careful that our investments not only give us opportunity to live comfortably but they, ultimately, benefit the purposes and priorities of the kingdom of heaven on earth.
Relate it to your life.
Why do I want my investments to do well? So, that I can become rich or so that I can participate in advancing the cause of Christ?
Do something.
Father in heaven, give me wisdom to invest well so that I may generously participate in Your kingdom priorities for Your name to be revered and for Your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
October 30-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:21, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Observe what it is saying.
In speaking about where we place our investments, earth or heaven, Jesus gives us this powerful summary. Look at what you most treasure, and there you will locate your heart. Our voluntary activity does not betray our passion. What are we investing our time in? Are we spending an inordinate amount of time at work? At the gym? In the marketplace? On our phone? How does it compare to time at church? In a small group? In the Bible and prayer? In service to others? Wherever we choose to spend our precious time, we find the priorities of our hearts. What are we investing our thought life in? Are our thoughts filled with worry, fear, and frets? Do we think the worst first, or do we have faith and trust in the Lord? Are we filling our minds with impure thoughts that hinder our walk with the Lord or are we thinking heavenly thoughts that keep our minds high and lifted up? Our thoughts are tied directly to the condition of our hearts. What are we investing our financial resources in? Are we focused on making ourselves wealthier or are we investing to use our resources for the greater good of meeting the needs of the church and community, including, the proclamation of the gospel around the world? However, we honestly answer these questions, we will find the true condition of our hearts.
Relate it to your life.
I can learn much about myself by considering my calendar, investments, and what I ruminate on.
Do something.
Father, disturb me where my heart is not in line with Your holy purposes for my life. Amen.
October 31-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:22-23, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
Observe what it is saying.
These verses continue the message of earthly treasures versus heavenly treasures. “Some Greek and Jewish writers spoke of the eye as a lamp that contained its own source of light that shone outward to illuminate objects, which was the indication of the vitality of life in a person. But here Jesus seems to use the eye in a different metaphorical sense, as a lamp that will illumine a person’s inner life. The “evil eye” in the ancient world is an eye that enviously covets what belongs to another. It is a greedy or avaricious eye. A “good eye” speaks of singleness of purpose, undivided loyalty. It will let into the body that which its sight is fixed upon. If the eye is good, it is fixed on good treasure, the things of God; then the heart will be filled with the light of God’s treasure.” (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary of the New Testament) What we may not fully understand is how much darkness we let into our lives by focusing on the wrong treasure. What becomes our object of focus creates the kind of inner spiritual dynamic within our souls. If we let in the light of this world, which in this context, includes being blind to the deceitfulness of wealth and being stingy with our resources, then we are actually filling ourselves with spiritual darkness. Instead, when we concentrate on Christ and His kingdom, and are generous with what we have, then we are filled with life-giving light.
Relate it to your life.
I choose whether I fill my life with light or darkness by that which I focus my attention.
Do something.
Our Father, give me the discipline to concentrate on You, Your word, and Your kingdom so that my life will be filled with the light of heaven.
November 1-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Observe what it is saying.
Jesus makes it clear that we cannot equally serve two masters at the same time. His message is rather shocking in that we cannot even be friendly to both at the same time. We will love one and hate the other. We must pay careful attention to His direct and clear warning that it is impossible to serve both God and money. They cannot share the same throne. To elevate our devotion for money is to show great dishonor towards God. The idol of loving and serving earthly treasure is a tantalizing temptation for both those who have little and who have much. Those who have little may set their hearts to pursue money to live more comfortably and those who have much pursue it to build their empire larger for their own purposes. However, there are those who understand money is to be the servant of God. We are the temporary stewards of all God has given. We will not keep it for long. So, with great reverence, we take the resources God has entrusted to us and invest wisely, live appropriately, and generously bless people, churches, communities, and the proclamation of the gospel around the world.
Relate it to your life.
Do I consider how I can invest what I have been given to serve the kingdom of God more generously?
Do something.
Our Father, give me such a heart that declares that You alone are Lord and money is a servant to live simply and generously bless others. Amen.
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:16, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
Observe what it is saying.
This is the third Jewish practice of piety that Jesus addresses in Matthew 6. We have discovered that the practices themselves, giving and prayer, are good and necessary to grow our inner life. So, does fasting. This may be the most difficult of the three for many Christ followers. Jesus said, “when you fast” not “if you fast.” He endorsed this as a spiritual practice that should continue for believers. However, as with the other two practices, the spiritual leaders were not providing a proper model of how to do so. They fasted twice a week but turned their piety into a show where they wanted others to know how “spiritual” they were by marking up their faces. However, this was the opposite of what fasting was intended to do. It was a humbling exercise where the faithful learned self-discipline by denying themselves food for a period of time. Instead of drawing them deeper into the heart of God, the leaders’ fake practice revealed how superficial and empty their souls actually were. As we have discovered with the other two practices, fasting is an exercise that will take us to a deeper place where we would not otherwise go. Especially, for comfortable Christians, we desperately need this practice to make us hungry for God.
Relate it to your life.
I need to check my motive in all things to ensure that I am doing them to grow my inner life, not advance my superficial façade.
Do something.
Our Father in heaven, give me such a spiritual hunger that I am willing to give up food or other measures of comfort and convenience to go all in with You. Amen.
October 28-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:17-18, But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Observe what it is saying.
Jews would often put ashes on their head when they fasted as a sign of their humility and brokenness. However, Jesus instructed them to do the opposite and anoint their head with oil. Ecclesiastes 9:7-8 gives an interesting picture, “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil.” Washing and anointing with oil were normal steps in hygiene. David’s head was anointed with oil when chosen as king, and he famously wrote in Psalm 23, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Even in the midst of the most challenging circumstances of life, to be anointed with oil is a sign of God’s healing, provision, and blessing. The point Jesus is making is that when we fast we are not to mope around as though we are dying but should be joyful and celebrate God’s many good gifts like any other time when we are not fasting. Fasting is a very personal discipline that draws us much closer to the Father by stripping away our trust of the material world and drives us deeper into our inner life where we discover the true treasures of heaven.
Relate it to your life.
If I want to enjoy all of God’s blessings, then fasting is a practice that will help me experience them.
Do something.
Our Father in heaven, give me the courage to fast joyfully and experience You more joyfully. Amen.
October 29-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:19-20, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Observe what it is saying.
In Jesus’ sermon, He is now moving on from how to do acts of piety appropriately to the practical matter of investing well. He causes us to consider if we are only investing in this world or if we are investing what we have for eternity. On another occasion Jesus illustrated this: (Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”) Luke 12:15-21 His sin was selfishly living for himself without any regard for God and others. As Christ followers, we must be careful that our investments not only give us opportunity to live comfortably but they, ultimately, benefit the purposes and priorities of the kingdom of heaven on earth.
Relate it to your life.
Why do I want my investments to do well? So, that I can become rich or so that I can participate in advancing the cause of Christ?
Do something.
Father in heaven, give me wisdom to invest well so that I may generously participate in Your kingdom priorities for Your name to be revered and for Your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
October 30-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:21, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Observe what it is saying.
In speaking about where we place our investments, earth or heaven, Jesus gives us this powerful summary. Look at what you most treasure, and there you will locate your heart. Our voluntary activity does not betray our passion. What are we investing our time in? Are we spending an inordinate amount of time at work? At the gym? In the marketplace? On our phone? How does it compare to time at church? In a small group? In the Bible and prayer? In service to others? Wherever we choose to spend our precious time, we find the priorities of our hearts. What are we investing our thought life in? Are our thoughts filled with worry, fear, and frets? Do we think the worst first, or do we have faith and trust in the Lord? Are we filling our minds with impure thoughts that hinder our walk with the Lord or are we thinking heavenly thoughts that keep our minds high and lifted up? Our thoughts are tied directly to the condition of our hearts. What are we investing our financial resources in? Are we focused on making ourselves wealthier or are we investing to use our resources for the greater good of meeting the needs of the church and community, including, the proclamation of the gospel around the world? However, we honestly answer these questions, we will find the true condition of our hearts.
Relate it to your life.
I can learn much about myself by considering my calendar, investments, and what I ruminate on.
Do something.
Father, disturb me where my heart is not in line with Your holy purposes for my life. Amen.
October 31-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:22-23, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
Observe what it is saying.
These verses continue the message of earthly treasures versus heavenly treasures. “Some Greek and Jewish writers spoke of the eye as a lamp that contained its own source of light that shone outward to illuminate objects, which was the indication of the vitality of life in a person. But here Jesus seems to use the eye in a different metaphorical sense, as a lamp that will illumine a person’s inner life. The “evil eye” in the ancient world is an eye that enviously covets what belongs to another. It is a greedy or avaricious eye. A “good eye” speaks of singleness of purpose, undivided loyalty. It will let into the body that which its sight is fixed upon. If the eye is good, it is fixed on good treasure, the things of God; then the heart will be filled with the light of God’s treasure.” (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary of the New Testament) What we may not fully understand is how much darkness we let into our lives by focusing on the wrong treasure. What becomes our object of focus creates the kind of inner spiritual dynamic within our souls. If we let in the light of this world, which in this context, includes being blind to the deceitfulness of wealth and being stingy with our resources, then we are actually filling ourselves with spiritual darkness. Instead, when we concentrate on Christ and His kingdom, and are generous with what we have, then we are filled with life-giving light.
Relate it to your life.
I choose whether I fill my life with light or darkness by that which I focus my attention.
Do something.
Our Father, give me the discipline to concentrate on You, Your word, and Your kingdom so that my life will be filled with the light of heaven.
November 1-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Observe what it is saying.
Jesus makes it clear that we cannot equally serve two masters at the same time. His message is rather shocking in that we cannot even be friendly to both at the same time. We will love one and hate the other. We must pay careful attention to His direct and clear warning that it is impossible to serve both God and money. They cannot share the same throne. To elevate our devotion for money is to show great dishonor towards God. The idol of loving and serving earthly treasure is a tantalizing temptation for both those who have little and who have much. Those who have little may set their hearts to pursue money to live more comfortably and those who have much pursue it to build their empire larger for their own purposes. However, there are those who understand money is to be the servant of God. We are the temporary stewards of all God has given. We will not keep it for long. So, with great reverence, we take the resources God has entrusted to us and invest wisely, live appropriately, and generously bless people, churches, communities, and the proclamation of the gospel around the world.
Relate it to your life.
Do I consider how I can invest what I have been given to serve the kingdom of God more generously?
Do something.
Our Father, give me such a heart that declares that You alone are Lord and money is a servant to live simply and generously bless others. Amen.
Posted in Daily Devotionals