Matthew 5-7

Jesus is talking to us in Matthew 5-7 today.  It's the beginning of The Sermon on the Mount.  This is pretty important, life changing stuff.  Jesus takes God's law from the Old Testament and shows us how to live day to day now that we are blessed with His grace.  God's grace is such good news; my heart is so excited and happy as I read.  And at the very same time, my heart stops from time to time, you know?
 

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Matthew 7:24

Without my knowing it, my heart is doing its own reality check.  This heart-check, I know, is the Holy Spirit trying to guide me and transform me.  It's both encouraging and difficult.  That's the thing about God's grace.  It's an awesome gift.  It's a powerful gift.  Accepting it means we are willing to let it change us.  And, we are called to do the work God needs us to do in order to offer His grace to others, all with the humility of Jesus.  There is so much to talk about here.  It's a stop and think kind of day.  I found a Bible study at Bible.org that is a wonderful resource for these passages if you are interested.  I encourage you to find the words that are speaking to you the most today, circle them, and pray over them.  Let God's Word work in your heart.  I know He has work to do in mine!

As I sit here hungry and thirsty, wanting more of all Jesus has to offer here and now (knowing I don't always get things right or fully understand what I am doing), this verse really speaks to me today.  It's an answer to a conversation with God I had weeks ago.  This is God's way of connecting the dots for me about His grace.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

  for they will be filled.

Matthew 5:6

How about you?  What verse stands out and makes you pause today?  Circle it.  Pray about it.  And let God's living Word go to work!

A prayer for today-

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you, thank you for Your Son, Jesus, and all that He teaches me.  I humble myself before You. I open my heart to You.  Forgive me for the areas of my life that are self-serving (talk about those with God) instead of serving You.  I pray you will break the barriers that keep me from following the voice of Your Holy Spirit.  You, Lord, are my rock and my redeemer.  Help me to be pure in heart and seek Your approval in all that I do.   

In the name of Jesus Christ I pray,

Amen

Grace and Peace of Christ,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.