Category: Sermon on the Mount

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Nothing …

OCTOBER 8

MATTHEW 7:9_Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask…

You cannot control the circumstances of your birth. You cannot choose the family into which you are born, neither your race, your country or culture, physical features, nor your time in history.

You may, or may not, be born into a religion. When you reach an age of understanding—religion is something you can choose.

Because this entire devotional blog is based on the Sermon on the Mount, the direct words of Jesus, it is my hope you find the answers to life in Christianity.  Christianity embraces all people as God’s children.  Regardless of the circumstances of your birth, your family, your race, country, culture, or physical features, God wants you as His child.

Jesus says in John 10:29-30 (KJV), “My Father, which gave them [Christians] [to] me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.” Well, there you go! Out of His own mouth Jesus makes it clear that none is greater than your Heavenly Father.

Nothing in life no matter how devastating it may seem to you, can take you from Jesus.

PRAYER

All Powerful God, Praise You that nothing can pluck me out of Your hand. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                             

Christ says nothing can take me from God—I choose Him!

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Pray for the Fathers

OCTOBER 7

MATTHEW 7:9_Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask…

To become a parent rates very high in the blessing category.

Psalm 127:3-5 (KJV), “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” 

According to this verse, children are one way God rewards His people. Arrows in the hand of a mighty man are powerful. If hunting is the goal, then the bow is no good without the arrows. The arrows are everything to achieving the purpose of the hunt. Fathers should realize the reward God gives them in children. They should feel strength and might in fatherhood. They should feel happy. 

I wish these verses were true in the life of every child born. However, since they are not, I pray for Malachi 4:6 (KJV) to become a reality: “And he [Elijah the prophet] shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers …”

As much as is possible in my tiny space in the world, I want to contribute to this becoming reality.

Pray for the fathers in your circle of life.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, Help me feel the specialness that is mine as Your child. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.          

Christ teaches children are a reward—I am one!

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He Does It All!

OCTOBER 6

MATTHEW 7:9_Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask…

One of the great mysteries of the spiritual life is the Trinity. The Triune God who functions as three-in-one. 

The Bible teaches God can function as: the Eternal Father, the Jehovah-Jireh provider, the I AM. The Bible teaches this same God can function as: the Son, Creator of all that exists, Christ, the Messiah who saves for eternity all who believe. The Bible also teaches this same God can function as: the indwelling Holy Spirit who comforts, teaches, and guides. No wonder He is all-powerful—He does it all! 

Jesus calls God, Father. So do I. Jesus taught to pray to God as: My Father, which art in Heaven. As a Jesus follower, you are a child of God. 2 Corinthians 1:3 (KJV), “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort” Be comfortable in God. He loved you before you loved Him. 

God wanted King David to know how to call upon Him. Psalm 89:27 (KJV), “He [King David] shall cry unto me [God], Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.”

God is all those things to me.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, I stand in awe of You and worship You as my Father. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.          

Christ teaches me God is my Father—I am His child!

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Awesome!

OCTOBER 5

MATTHEW 7:8_and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

Why you knock:

The door is closed.

You’re on the outside.

You want to come in.

Or at least you want the door opened.

There are many doors you will knock on in life. You knock on the door of love—to give and receive love from the people in your life. You knock on the door of joy—to give and receive joy from the people in your life. You knock on the door of peace—to give and receive peace from the people in your life. You knock on the door of success—you want to receive success, and perhaps there is a way you can give it.

Jesus teaches to knock on the door of service. That’s not something you’re naturally inclined to do. John 13:16 (KJV), “Verily, verily, I [Jesus] say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.’

Jesus also says in Mark 10:43-45 (KJV), ” … but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Jesus says to knock on the door of serving others is to become like Him.

Awesome!

PRAYER

God Who Helps, Help me have a servant’s heart and become like You. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.              

Christ wants me to serve others—He will teach me!

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The Right Place

OCTOBER 4

MATTHEW 7:8_and he that seeketh, findeth…

Proverbs 20:27 says my spirit is God’s candle. We’ve talked a lot about candles in these devotionals. We’ve talked about the purpose of light—to dispel and overcome darkness. We’ve talked about candles set on candlesticks. We’ve talked about replacing the smaller candle and candlestick with larger ones as life moves on, and more light is needed. In this verse, a candle is used in a different way: to gain insight into who I really am.

Now, the candle (my spirit) is used by God, not to share light with others, but to search inside of me. God uses my spirit to shed light into my heart, and all that I am. He uses it to see what my heart seeks. Does it seek to know Him and make Him known, or does it seek to make me known?

Jesus told me to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Is that where He finds my spirit shedding light—on God’s righteousness? If God finds me seeking how to turn the other cheek, go the second mile, give to those who ask, and do good to those who hurt and use me, then He’s found me in the right place.

According to Jesus, if I’m seeking to live that kind of life—I’ll find it.

PRAYER

Almighty Father, I’m seeking the truth of Your kingdom. I’m seeking Your righteousness – to dwell in me. Thank You that I’ll find it. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                   

Christ knows if I seek righteousness—If so, I’ll find it!