Calling Me Into A Greater Intimacy

NOTE: Starting March 5th, we will post daily readings for Lent. Below is an example of what it will look like. Please share ,”What do you hear God saying?” and “What does he want you to do about it?” as we prepare for Lent, the journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter.

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21   “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.  ² “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.  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.

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.

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.

Bill Azbell
First Presbyterian Church

Observation: Father, I hear you calling me into a greater intimacy with You. In that secret place in your presence, I’ll receive all the things I long for and so often try to secure from others.  I sense You assuring me you’ll give me all the happiness, provision, and reward I’ll ever need.

Action:  Jesus, I’m going to take time every morning during Lent to go to that secret place with You to find my security and strength and smiles for the rest of the day.