DAY 53 End of Sermon on the Mount Matt 7:28-29

Guided reflection:  

We began looking at this compilation of Jesus’ teaching on day 27… if you take time to look over your notes from Day 27 – day 53… that is 26 days of focus on Jesus’ teaching, you will have a good foundation on Jesus’ insights.  Now, the rest of the gospels we will watch as Jesus begins to focus on leadership development of his disciples.  We will see his daily comings and goings, and we will learn his parables and stories, but day 27 – 53 have contained enough of Jesus’ words to change our lives forever... that is, if we DO His words and not just hear only!   What have you learned about Jesus… and what have you learned about yourself from this “Sermon on the Mount”? 

Guided Prayer:  “Holy God, allow the words of my mouth and the actions of my life, reflect the

philosophy and teaching of Jesus.  Work in me to make Christ visible to others around me.  Amen.”

DAY 52 Hearers and Doers of the word Matt 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49

Guided reflection: 

Have you ever been to the coast? Ever see house built right on the edge and if a storm comes it is going to blow apart… yet it is the high rent district?  Seems foolish, doesn’t it? Jesus wants us to know that we have a solid foundation if we listen to Jesus words and then build our lives on that solid foundation, when the storms of life try to toss us back and forth, we will remain solid – because we have a solid foundation.  But, if our spiritual condition is build for show, with no depth, it will crumble when the going gets tough!   Have you checked your foundation lately?

Guided prayer:  “O God, the source of my strength, show me where my foundation is faulty.  Show me where I am prone to defeat in the future because I am not thinking the way your word would have me think.  Keep working in me so that I can stand the storms of life and end up being better instead of bitter.  Amen” 

DAY 51 Self Deception Matt 7: 21-23; Luke 6: 46; 13:26,27

Guided reflection: 

I think Jesus is telling us in this scripture that we can have the right lingo and do some of the correct actions, but if our motivation is not pure, it is useless! Jesus is looking at the heart – he knows if we do mission work to fill a need to look compassionate when we feel guilty for taking advantage in another situation… or the spouse who knows they are in the “dog house” and will do or say whatever it takes to try to make the other person happy… their motive is to get out of trouble, not to change their ways to meet the needs of their spouse.  Ever done that?  Jesus does not want empty words or empty actions!  He knows our hearts!  So, if your heart is not in it, don’t do it!

Guided Prayer:   “Authentic Loving Lord,  help us to face our phoniness.  We want to look good for others and we forget there is really an audience of ONE , and that one is you!  Help us to drop our focus on pleasing others and turn, instead, to pleasing you.  May our hearts match your hearts… or as Jesus said,  “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”  Amen. 

Day 50 How to test another’s goodness Matt 7:15-20; Luke 6:43-45

Guided reflection: 

Jesus is asking us to pay attention to the results of what people say, not just their words.  If you hear a new insight or truth, is it playing out in that teller’s life?  Is it working for them?  Does it “sit right” with your heart?   Just because someone proclaims it or something is in writing, does not make it truth!  Again, we have to be intentional, and think through (with the guidance of the spirit) as to what is true and what is not.  We are not to be spiritually gullible!   What comes out of your mouth?  Your words and actions show what you truly believe.  Would others be able to predict your belief system by watching you?   We know folks by watching their fruits.  Jesus’ kind of fruit is love, joy, peace, gentleness, self control….. (Gal 5:22)

Guided Prayer: “I confess to you, O God that sometimes my words and my actions do not match.  I not only need your wisdom on having my walk match my talk, but I need wisdom to know when someone else is teaching something that is not of you!  Help me have open eyes to know good from what is false.  Teach me your ways.  Amen” 

DAY 49 The Narrow Gate Matt 7: 13-14, Luke 13: 23-24

Guided reflection:   

Could this be Jesus’ retort to our Junior High complaint:  “everyone else is doing it!”?   Jesus is saying that when we are following Jesus, we may not end up traveling with the in crowd… we have to pay attention to our choices and our direction.   Just because everyone else is doing it, does not mean that is the path Jesus has chosen for us.  That would mean that we need to be in constant conversation with our “journey guide” – Jesus!  Where do you think you are following the crowd… and where do you think Jesus is leading you?

Guided prayer:   “O guiding light, help us to take our focus on what everyone else is doing and pay attention to where you are leading us.  Show me my unique path in walking with you.  And grant me the courage to walk away from the crowd.   Amen” 

DAY 48 Jesus and the Golden Rule Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31

Guided reflection:

 Now, this is one you have learned from your childhood…”do to others as you

want them to do to you!”  However, I think we live more like “do to others before they get the chance to do to you!”   Right now,  with whom are you frustrated or angry?  How do you treat those who cause you harm?   Are you treating others the way you wish folks would treat you?  Aren’t you glad that Christ does not give us what we deserve – he gives us love!

Guided Prayer:  “O merciful God, forgive me, I do not live out this verse as I should.  I pay so much attention to getting even, I forget that you do not go after me every time I disappoint you – you offer me love and grace.  Help me to be more like with when it comes to the way I treat others.  Amen” 

DAY 47 Jesus on answering prayer Matthew 7: 7-11; Luke 11: 9-13

Guided reflection –

Jesus says we are to ASK for what we want… I have heard many people say they feel like it is selfish to ask God for the desires of their heart.. that prayers should only be for others.  NO!  Jesus says right here that if we have a desire, we should offer it to God… if we are seeking for some truth or opportunity, we should ask!   I think Jesus is wanting us to understand that God loves us and takes delight in us.  If we offer our desires to God, we are thrilling God by asking God to partner with us in making our dreams come true!  So, Ask!

Guided Prayer:   “Giving God, these words say that we are to ask… this is the desire of my heart

(name it) – I ask that you hear my desire.  I need to find some answers – this is what I am looking for (name it)… I ask that you participate with me in finding it.    And, Lord, I would like for these doors to open for me (name what opportunity you want to open for you)… if these requests are answered, I will use these results to bring honor to your name.  Amen!”

DAY 46: Jesus on Profanity Matthew 7:6

Guided reflection:   THE MESSAGE  states this verse: “Do not be flipwith the sacred.  Banter and silliness give no honor to God.  Don’t reduce holy mysteries to slogans. In trying to be relevant, you are only being cute and inviting sacrilege.”  

hummmm.  Some things are too special to be flippant.  I immediately ask myself, is there any place where I am trying to be “cute or cool” and end up being disrespectful?  Do we use God’s name in vain… what is sacred and holy in your life?  My mother would ask me – would Jesus be proud of what you are saying if he physically walked in on your conversations?

Guided Prayer:  “Holy and wondrous God, forgive us for being flip and cool with things that deserve more respect.  Guide our words and our thoughts so that all we do and say would bring honor to your name.  Amen.” 

Day 45 Jesus on judging Matthew 7: 1-5, Luke 6: 37-38, 41-42

Guided reflection:

Many people think this is Jesus showing his sense of humor.   How ridiculous to try to find a hair lash in someone else’s eye when we have a big stick in our own eye!  Judging is the same thing!   None of us is perfect, so who are we to judge?   Judging places us in the seat of deciding who is of value and who is not by what they do.  God says we are of value, period!  It has nothing to do with our actions!  We all stand in the need of God’s grace.   Who are the people in your life that make you think “Yuck, thank goodness I am not like that person!”   Give God your “yuck” list!

Guided prayer:

“I just naturally judge people, O God.  I can get on my high horse and see where everyone else is lacking – and they are!  But help me to see that I am lacking as well; and that your love includes the likes of me.., therefore that other person has your heart as well!  Forgive me!  Amen!”

Day 44 Jesus on worry and anxiety Matthew 6: 25-34 Luke, 12: 22-31

Guided reflection:

Yesterday’s reading talked about not serving two masters; today’s verses follow the logic of what it is like to put this world first.  It results in ANXIETY!   If we are caught up in this world we focus on what we are going to wear, what we are going to eat, what car we will drive, where we will live, and the list goes on!   If our heart and mind is focused on material things, we end up in knots.  The answer?  Surrender to Jesus – Seek GOD first… make this your choice, then everything else will just fall into place!

Guided prayer:

Creator God, you have created my heart with a capacity to experience joy and peace and love.  Yet my choices cause me to know fear, judgment and anxiety.  Right now, show me the places where I can let go of my worry by changing how I think.   Open my eyes to see things from your point of view.  Amen”