Your Identity in Christ
In Christ, I am a disciple who is called into a personal and rewarding relationship of prayer with God my Father.
Matthew 6:6
And 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. ~ Jesus
Pondering Point
We shy away from “reward” language in the church at times, not wanting to hint at a works-righteousness theology. That said, children of God, saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, are rewarded for a prayer life carried out as Jesus describes. So…
Prayer Prompt
…find some time, find a room, and find your Heavenly Father listening. Then find the reward our Lord Jesus speaks of in His Sermon on the Mount.
Sermon on the Mount Podcast
Episode 18
Jesus’ Surprising Warning About Religious Practices
Jesus turns His attention to religious practices of His day, specifically generosity to the poor, prayer, and fasting. But He gives a surprising warning about these practices: if you do religious practices to get praise from people, then you're missing the point.
https://bibleproject.com/podcasts/jesus-surprising-warning-about-religious-practices/
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 84:8-12
- Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;
listen to me, God of Jacob. - Look on our shield, O God;
look with favor on your anointed one. - Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked. - For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless. - Lord Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.
Read the verses of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask Him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
insert_bible_reference
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins
by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and
priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory
and power for ever and ever! Amen Revelations 1:5b-6
The Promise
Psalm 92:12-14
- The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; - planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God. - They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
Pondering Point
Psalm 84:10 from the Lord’s perspective
[God:] There is no better place than My courts;
Were I to give you a lifetime to look,
you’d find nothing as satisfying to your soul.
I know – I made you.