Ahhh, a Sunday to Sabbath and rest with the Father. Rest.
Sabbath is also a practice that takes practice. Slow down today, do everything slower. Walk slower, look around. Pray as you walk. Observe.
Be with the Father today as you move about.
Ahhh, a Sunday to Sabbath and rest with the Father. Rest.
Sabbath is also a practice that takes practice. Slow down today, do everything slower. Walk slower, look around. Pray as you walk. Observe.
Be with the Father today as you move about.
Read it aloud slowly several times. Perhaps use your phone to listen to it.
What practices stood out to you?
What practice have you seen in your own life drawing you closer to God?
Memorization Verse:
Matthew 5:3-7 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Our practice today is fasting. Have you ever fasted from food?
From something else?
How does fasting (from food or other) grow us in righteousness?
What could you practice fasting from today? Tell someone so that they can hold you accountable.
Memorization Verse: Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
I love Colossians 3:13 in the NLT: “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
Memorization Verse: Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Say this prayer aloud several times slowly. Think about the words and meanings.
Memorization Verse: Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Jesus gives us some practical advice related to prayer. How does He encourage us to practice prayer?
Jesus seems to say that it’s not our large amount of words that God listens to, but instead a humble heart coming to Him, simply talking.
Spend some time right now simply telling the Father what you need. Remember, He won’t be surprised, He already knows, He wants to talk with you.
Memorization Verse: Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
What are acts of righteousness that you have seen practiced in front of others?
Why do you think that in Jesus’ Kingdom we are not ‘showy’?
All throughout this chapter, we are going to see some ‘practices’ or ‘acts of righteousness’. These do not make us more holy in God’s sight, but actually put us in a humble posture to know Him more. How we practice these practices matters.
Memorization Verse: Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”