Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in Heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. (Mat 6:1-8)
As our Lord continues this discourse He speaks on hypocrisy and outward show of religion in contrast to integrity and worship in Spirit and in Truth regarding our giving and our prayers, especially of that which is between us and GOD. Our giving is to be cheerful and not grudgingly, but it is not to be trumpeted and broadcast to show how much or how good we are to give. Our personal (not corporate) prayers are to be with and to GOD, and must be personal and direct, not vain repetition of words that have lost their meaning.
GOD knows our needs, our wants, our desires, and our thoughts. He owns it all, and wants us to give in worship of Him and acknowledgement of who He is and what He has done for us, not so others can see how much, or even the percentage, we give. He already knows what is in our hearts, but wants us to bring our supplications with thanksgiving to Him. He wants us to communicate with Him as our Father, not as the heathen do with multiple repetitions of the same words, or the same prayers each time we come to Him.
Our prayers don't change things, but GOD will answer our prayers, and our prayers will change us, as we receive from the Lord. GOD can and does use what we give to Him to accomplish His will and His work in this lost and dying world. We are to minister to the hurting, as GOD gives the increase and multiplies our giving. We are to disciple and pray for one another that we may be equipped to the work GOD has for us to do. We are to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and leaving the results to GOD. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of Him and faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to all who will hear, that they might believe, and in believing have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
GOD knows our needs, our wants, our desires, and our thoughts. He owns it all, and wants us to give in worship of Him and acknowledgement of who He is and what He has done for us, not so others can see how much, or even the percentage, we give. He already knows what is in our hearts, but wants us to bring our supplications with thanksgiving to Him. He wants us to communicate with Him as our Father, not as the heathen do with multiple repetitions of the same words, or the same prayers each time we come to Him.
Our prayers don't change things, but GOD will answer our prayers, and our prayers will change us, as we receive from the Lord. GOD can and does use what we give to Him to accomplish His will and His work in this lost and dying world. We are to minister to the hurting, as GOD gives the increase and multiplies our giving. We are to disciple and pray for one another that we may be equipped to the work GOD has for us to do. We are to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and leaving the results to GOD. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of Him and faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to all who will hear, that they might believe, and in believing have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
RSS Feed