Monthly ArchivesMarch 2021

Matthew 6:32–34 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.   One thought: The question is not usually, what will you do with your life. But what are you going to do today? Will you be kingdom-minded today or like the pagans, chase everything else.   Three questions: What are the pagans running after?   When have you seeked His kingdom first?   What does it look like to ...

Matthew 6:30–31 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’   One thought: The Kingdom of God is characterised by faith. Not just in the big decisions, but in the daily patterns of life.   Three questions: What is the opposite of faith?   Do you trust God in your daily life?   Give thanks each morning this week for God’s provision.   Prayer: Praise God that He provides for the daily needs of His ...

Matthew 6:27–29   27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these.   One thought: In a world obsessed with how others see them, Jesus offers us a different way   Three questions: Does this mean we should just wear ‘whatever’?   How deeply do you care about how others perceive you?   Why do you dress the way you do?   Prayer: Praise God that He gives us a better way of ...

Matthew 6:25–26   25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?   One thought: We often hear ‘don’t worry’ as – don’t think about it. But the meaning is, don’t be unduly concerned.   Three questions: What should we be concerned for?   What do you worry about most?   Write a list of things you want ...

Matthew 6:22–24   22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.   One thought: The word here for serve is actually slave, you can only be a slave to one master – God or money.   Three questions: What does it look ...

Matthew 6:19–21   19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.   One thought: Jesus’ teaching on the Kingdom of God gives us a perspective that shows us the used-by-date on our possessions   Three questions: What does it look like today to store up possessions?   How deeply do you care about material things?   What’s something you are considering buying but don’t actually need?   Prayer: Praise ...

Matthew 6:16–18 16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others 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. One thought: We may not fast like this, but perhaps we do other things like publicising our charity on FB/Insta?     Three questions: What good thing do you like people knowing you do?   ...

Matthew 6:12–15 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.   One thought: Jesus has paid our great debt. We need to pray it forward to those who have sinned against us.   Three questions: What do you notice in the passage?   How do you feel about forgiveness?   Is there someone you need to forgive?   Prayer: Praise God for His grace towards ...

Matthew 6:8–11   8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread.   One thought: A good prayer begins with an acknowledgement of who we are praying to   Three questions: Who does Jesus remind us God is?   Do you see God as your heavenly Father?   How do you normally pray?   Prayer: Praise God that He is the holy God who by His grace allows us to call Him Father. Give ...

Matthew 6:5–7 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 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. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.   One thought: How wonderful are the unseen prayers of believers   Three questions: Should we only prayer privately?   ...