Back to the Word

I think I've found another favorite passage. It's Matthew 6. It talks about many different things instead of only one--Giving to the Needy, Prayer, Fasting, Treasures in Heaven, and Not worrying.

I find this Chapter very uplifting. In each section, I have a favorite verse and I'd like to share it with you all.

Giving to the Needy: Matthew 6:1-4

Matt 6:3-4 says:

"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

• This verse constantly helps remind me to give to others with my heart. Put some love into it--don't just go through the motion (also from Fireproof).

Prayer: Matthew 6:5-15

Matt 6:6 says:

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

• Do you know what I find ironic about this verse? In Daniel 6:10-12 it says:

"Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows were opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God just as he had done before. then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. So they went to the kind and spoke to him about his royal decree: "Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or man except you, O king would be thrown into the lions' den?"

The king answered, "The decree stands - in accordance with the laws of Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed."

Read carefully where it is underlined. It said that he prayed in public, yet in Matthew 6:6, it says to pray in secret. I found out that, these two cases were different. Daniel prayed in public not because he wanted to boast, but because he wanted the officials to know that he wasn't scared if he were to be thrown into the lions den or not. God only wants us to be humble when we pray. We don't pray to boast to others--be humble.

Fasting: Matthew 6:16-18

Matt 6:17-18 says:

"But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men 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."

• Again, here it says...do it in secret, and then your Father will reward you. Again it tells you not to be proud--be humble.

Treasures in Heaven: Matthew 6:19-24

Matt 6:21 says:

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

• I really need to learn from this verse. I have a lot of treasures that are not supposed to be there. Everyone should know my treasures for they are the things I do without being told--and for hours...not just minutes. Everyone should also know THEIR treasures for they are the things you do without being told--for hours...not minutes. I love this verse and the two verses above it which says: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." plainly because it tells you that heaven has much better things than the worldly things on earth. So don't store things on earth, but instead, store things with me in heaven.

Do not Worry: Matthew 6:25-34

Matt 6:34 says:

"Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

• I love this verse because I often worry about the next day. But it says in this section. Don't worry about what you wear, eat, drink, or your body because life is MUCH more important than all those details. God provides for you just as he provides for the birds in the air who don't sow or reap. Now come with me to a different view of the world. A view that never worries about tomorrow--because He will provide.

After writing any type of devotion, feedback is much appreciated. There may be some things where I'm uncertain, but still write on here. If you think something is wrong, then please don't hesitate to bring it up to me. I'm learning too, and it would be very helpful if you brought it up.