God Wants to Help

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6 NIV)

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)

‭‭“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” (Psalm 55:22 NIV)

Worrying is Unproductive

We can’t focus on the present and fully see God when we’re so focused on the future.

“You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.” (Psalm 39:5-6 NIV)

“I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.” (Ecclesiastes 3:14 NIV)

Try not to be a worrier. Instead, trust in God because He loves you!
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How to store in heaven

We need to devote ourselves to God and growing His kingdom. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV). Listening to God’s word and obeying Him in everything we do is devoting ourselves to Him.
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”There your heart will also be”

All throughout the Bible we see how important it is to do a daily heart check. How we live, act, think, and speak all show where our heart is. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23 NIV).

Try not to be a hoarder. Instead, try to devote your life to God and think about the eternal!
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“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’

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.” (Matthew 6:5-15 NIV).

How you should pray

Have you ever hung out with a friend from far away and you end it by saying something like “stay in touch.”? In these verses, Jesus is telling us how to pray. Why would He tell us how to pray if He didn’t want us to stay in touch?

In verses 5-8, He tells us how to pray. We don’t need to boast and be prideful when we pray, we don’t need to have long, drawn out, and meaningless prayers. We DO need to have privacy and to the point prayers.

What you should pray

Firstly, we must honor and recognize who God is. God is the creator and therefore center of ALL things including prayer. Secondly, we ask that His will be done in our lives. We must prioritize growing His kingdom. Thirdly, We asl Him to supply our spiritual and physical needs. God knows our needs and wants us to trust Him with them. Fourth, we ask for forgiveness. We humbly ask for forgiveness so that we can show that same forgiveness to others. Lastly, we ask for deliverance. Jesus’ blood has washed us white as snow in redemption.

Forgive

We must forgive others in order to be forgiven. Try not to be out of touch. Instead, try to communicate daily with the Father because He wants you to stay in touch.

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“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:38-48 NIV).

Jesus is telling us to be patient! Walk the extra mile, give an extra coat, pray for those who hurt you, and love those who hate you! These eleven verse can be summarized into two words, Love Everyone!

Our reaction matters

Jesus tells us to react out of love and kindness when someone wrongs us. Paul says something similar in 1 Thessalonians. “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and everyone else.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15 NIV). Just because someone doesn’t like you or doesn’t believe what you believe, does not make it right for you to hate them.

Strive for perfection

As Christians, we all should have the same goals. To spend eternity in heaven and bring as many people as we can to know Him. Verses 45-48 show how important it is that we reach out, pray for everyone, and love everyone. What good do we do the kingdom if we don’t teach the gospel to those outside the church? What’s the point if we’re just going to sit and judge everyone for their mistakes instead of loving and helping them? We are not anymore human than them. No one is perfect, but Jesus says we should be striving to be perfect like our father in heaven. Mistakes are inevitable not acceptable. Try not to be hateful, instead strive for perfection by showing love and compassion to EVERYONE!

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Jesus calls us to be a giving people. Not so other people will see us and think we are so great, but because we are so full of Jesus and His love that we WANT to give.

Why should I do good?

When we do good SO THAT we will be noticed, we lose our reward. “Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Our obedience should not highlight ourselves, it should glorify God! We should do good knowing God is omnipresent and knowing that He knows our hearts and our true intentions. We don’t do good out of fear, we do good out of humility and love.

What do I have?

Jesus asks that we give out time and resources humbly. God has given all of us unique gifts and talents that we use and give to others. It is ok to give in public, it is ok to use your gifts and talents in public. The most important thing as that when we do, it is not for attention. It is to humbly glorify God and to glorify Him alone! Try not to be recognized, instead glorify God!

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We talked about being made in the image of GOd. Everything we do should reflect who God is. When we lie or break promises, we are portraying God as a liar. “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19 NIV).

In Matthew 5:34-36, Jesus not to swear at all but especially not by heaven, earth, Jerusalem, or our own heads. This is because, heaven is God’s throne, the earth is God’s footstool, Jerusalem is home to a Great King, and we did not create ourselves.

”Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?” (Isaiah 66:1 NIV)

”Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstool; He is holy.” (Psalms 99:5 NIV)

”But now I have chosen Jerusalem for my Name to be there, and I have chosen David to rule my people Israel.” (2 Chronicles 6:6 NIV)

”Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” (Luke 12:25)

Simple Response

Jesus wraps up this portion in verse 37 saying that a simple yes or no should be all we need. James and Paul both touch on this.

”Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear – not by heaven or by earth or anything else. All you need to say is a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Otherwise you will be condemned.” (James 5:12 NIV). Here James repeats what Jesus said in Matthew. He points out that a simple honest answer is the best answer.

”Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasons with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:6 NIV). Paul tells us to speak graciously and kindly. If we speak like this, then we will know if our answer should be yes or no. Try not to be unreliable, instead, be gracious by giving simple and honest answers!

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Jesus talks about adultry and says that it is not just an action, it is the thought or the intent as well. We need to be careful not to fall prey to the enemie’s lies. God knows our hears, our thoughts, and our REAL intentions. “The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile.” (Psalms 94:11 NIV). We need to be cautious of our desires and where we let our minds wander.

Do Not Listen to Desires

“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1:13-15 NIV). James says God does not tempt us because temptation (if not avoided or ignored) can lead to sin. Sin equals death. In Matthew, Jesus tells us to cut off any part of you that causes you to sin. He says it is better to cut off that part than to be thrown into hell.

Avoid ALL Temptation

Paul says very similar things multiple times. First in Romans, “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13 NIV). Again in Colossians, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.” (Colossians 3:5-6 NIV). Finally Paul says it again in Galatians, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24 NIV).

I am sure it is mentioned way more than this but you get the idea. Clearly God is saying to avoid ALL temptations from the flesh that the enemy puts in our thoughts. Try not to be consumed by temptations, instead be consumed by the Holy Spirit that allows you to defeat temptation.
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We are called to reflect Christ! In John 8:12, we see Jesus saying that He is the light of the world. “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”” (John 8:12 NIV). We are called by Jesus in Matthew 5 to also be the light of the world. This does not mean we become Jesus or that we become perfect like Him. It means we are to mirror and reflect Christ in our thoughts, words, heart, and actions. By reflecting Christ, the light of the world, we then fulfill our calling to be the light of the world.

Sons and Daughters of Light

”Then Jesus told them, “you are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of the light.”” (John 12:35-36 NIV). Mirrors cannot reflect something that is not in front of them. If we are to mirror and reflect Christ, we need to be walking with Him as sons and daughter of light. “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.” (Philippians 2:14-15 NIV). When we are different than the world around us, we reflect who our Father is. We reflect Christ! Try not to be unreflective, try to be Christ’s mirror!

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In the early centuries, salt was used not only to flavor foods, it was used to preserve them as well. As Christians we should try not to be salty, rather, we should be the salt used to preserve God’s word. When we eat salty things, we become thirsty for water. We need to be preserving God’s word with so much joyous contentment that comes from the Father. This is so that people will see us and thirst for the living water.

Living Water

“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” (John 7:37-39 NIV) As we see here, the living water is His Spirit that lives in and flows through us. We need to try not to be salty. Instead we should be preserving God’s word and quenching people’s eternal thirst with His Spirit.

In Mark 9:50, Jesus tells us Christian’s to “Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” In order to be the salt of the earth and preserve His word, we much first encourage one another and preserve His word among ourselves. We must first fill each other’s cups and be overflowing with His Spirit. So that we can share with the world and not run dry. Try to be a preservative!

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