Thursday September 29, 2022

Today is Thursday, September 29 and we are praying through the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus invites me to come to Him and find rest for my soul, take His yoke upon me and learn from Him, drink from the well of Living Water and be filled, and sit at His feet and hear His voice.

Pause and Pray

My Lord Jesus, in the early moments of the dawning day, I come to You as invited. I come with a quiet spirit, bearing the weary burdens of my soul to rest in the joy of Your presence and abide in the glory of Your love. Amen.

I seek the Lord in the words of Holy Scripture and rejoice in His goodness with Psalm 119.

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart— they do no wrong but follow his ways. You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Psalm 119:1-4

Pause and Pray

God’s revelation found in the Old Testament Law and Prophets remains in full force. Jesus did not come to destroy it but to fulfill it and bring it to completion. In Jesus’ day it was customary for rabbis to distinguish between grave or heavy commandments and light commandments. In Matthew, Jesus recognizes the distinction but urges that all commandments earnestly be practiced. According to John Wesley there is no such thing as a “little sin.” Every sin is a “transgression of the holy and perfect law and an affront to the great Majesty of heaven.” What God requires is whole obedience.*

For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:18-19

Sometimes I have heard myself say, “It is just a little sin.” Clearly that is not a good response. God calls me to take His commandments seriously and with the Holy Spirit I am encouraged to examine myself daily so that sin may be recognized, revealed, confessed, and renounced. In this habitual practice, I hunger and thirst for righteousness and strive for holiness which I can only do through the power of God’s Spirit at work in me. Beyond my own actions, I also have the capacity to influence others regarding God’s expectations. I must be cautious how I teach and lead others to follow God’s commands or disregard them.

Ask: What are the “little sins” I am currently overlooking in my life?How have I used my influence with other people to regard or disregard the commandments of Christ?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, I come to you. I imagine sitting on the side of the mountain alongside other followers listening to the words of Your teaching. Thank You for reminding me of the eternity and validity of God’s Holy Word found in scripture. Forgive me for the times I have set aside even the least of Your commands. I regret the instances when I have influenced others to do the same. I read Matthew again, listening for the message You have for me today.

For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:18-19

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage?What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

This week God is speaking to me about my relationship with my Bible. I consider how God might be guiding me to a fresh realization of his Holy Word. Which words most resonate with my spirit this morning?Words like smallest, least, or great?Perhaps God wants me to recognize the commands I have set aside, ignored or avoided. Maybe God wants me to be more aware how my attitude toward His teachings have influenced members of my family or friends. Perhaps God is inviting me to commit to practicing and teaching all of His commands from the greatest to the smallest – striving for whole obedience to Him.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I seek to be wholly obedient to Your will and Your ways. You know what is best for me Lord and You call me to live a life worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Hem me in behind and before, reveal the places of my misstep and teach me to walk in the way that leads to life inspiring others to do the same. Amen.

Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. Romans 6:16-17

*Resources: Sermons on Several Occasions, Volume II – Upon Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount, by John Wesley, edited by William J. Abraham, 2021.

I leave this time of prayer seeking to obey God in everything I do, loving and serving others in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord.

Amen