Devotions Week of 8-5-12

DAY 1
Read: Matthew 7:1-6

Consider: "Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy," (NLT) or "Don't give what is sacred to dogs." Coming off of the spec and plank lesson, what does this mean? If we are meant to save the lost and be light to the darkness, why would Jesus give this instruction? Obviously these is meaning behind this richer than what we gather scratching at the surface.

What is it?

Pray: Ask God to speak to you about Matthew 7:6. Ask for his guidance into study tools and resources so you can learn more about what this means. Read the scripture around this verse and take it in its entire context. Ask God to speak to you about this verse this week.

DAY 2
Read: Matthew 7:7-11

Consider: Imagine it is your son's birthday. He is excited to open the presents he sees piled up in the corner. As he tears through the wrapping paper, giggling and looking at you with loving anticipation, he finds an moldy, stinky, old piece of bread. "But, Dad, I wanted _________." Whatever fits the blank for your son, it probably isn't moldy old bread.

God isn't going to delight in pranking you. He doesn't give us rotten gifts when we ask for things we genuinely need. When we come to him in earnest and ask for things in his name, we will deliver. It's not always in the way WE want and we don't always get exactly what we pray for. However, our Father in heaven knows what we need and will give us what he knows in his sovereignty to be what is best for us.

The next time you give your child a gift and watch him or her delight, or the next time you answer his or her petition for something a little different than your precious little one would prefer, think about the way your Heavenly Father cares for your needs.

Pray: Ask God to send his Spirit to you. Ask for increasing awareness of His presence with you every moment. Pray for the commitment to stay in step with the Spirit in the day to day, knowing that He will give you everything you need.

DAY 3
Read: Matthew 7:12

Consider: How many times have we all used the Golden Rule retroactively to say, "Would you like getting kicked in the shins? No? Well, then don't kick your brother." This is not how the lesson was originally delivered, though. This is a lesson about how to live, not how to react. Jesus already taught about forgiveness.

Jesus follows this simple, yet powerful statement by linking it with the new commandment, "this is the essence of the law and the prophets," which he already said he came to fulfill. Love God, love others.

Pray: Living out the new commandment through the way we treat others is "the essence" of God's will for our lives. Pray that God's love and grace will manifest itself in the way you treat others.

DAY 4
Read: Matthew 7:13-14, 21-23

Consider: "Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car." I read this on my niece's Facebook page recently and thought that it could be interpreted two ways. 1) You don't have to go to church to be a Christian, and 2) it is not okay to say you are a Christian just because you go to church.

Both of those interpretations scare me because they capture prevalent thinking in our culture that are related the these verses from Matthew. So many people around us say they are Christians, but don't follow Christ. So many people think they are in the light, but are actually in darkness (and Matthew 6 says, "then, how great that darkness"). When I think of the millions of people to whom this applies, I feel sick. I am scared for them.

What makes the gate that leads to life narrow? Why is the road difficult to travel? If prophesying and casting out demons don't cut the mustard, what does? What does it look like to travel the road and enter through the narrow gate?

Pray: What does it mean to follow Jesus? How do we make disciples of the nations? Ask God to speak to you clearly about

DAY 5
Read: Matthew 7:24-27, then reread the entire Sermon on the Mount (chapter 5-7)

Consider: What perspective do Jesus final words from the Sermon on the Mount give to the entire message? Why would these be the final words recorded for this important collection of teachings?

Pray: There is so much to learn from Jesus words in these chapters in Matthew and Luke. Pray that God will bring you back to the words of our Savior in these and other places throughout scripture. Pray that he would give you renewed perspectives and insights as you continue to grow in depth of knowledge of our Lord.