Good day dear friends. Happy Monday!
Our sermon yesterday was from Matthew 5:33-37; 7:1-5 and titled "Sinful Lips." Jesus shares what God wants: Us to be people of the truth, letting our words convey life, blessings, and truth, not words of death, despair and lies.
Monday: Today let’s take a look at the theme of the first passage of scripture from yesterday’s sermon, and consider how it applies to our lives. Read Matthew 5:33-37 (33 "Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, "You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' 34 But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let your word be "Yes, Yes' or "No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one.)and look over your notes from Sunday’s message.
In what ways does this passage address a common problem with which we all wrestle?
How do you struggle with honesty? Do you fulfill your promises? Do you ever struggle with stretching, hiding, twisting, or bending the truth a bit?
Read Psalm 15. (15:1 O LORD, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? 2 Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; 3 who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors; 4 in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the LORD; who stand by their oath even to their hurt; 5 who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved. )
Spend time in prayer inviting God to forgive any dishonesty that you have been guilty of and then pray aloud Psalm 51:6-10 (or sing it if you know the song!).
6 You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
