Pause
Over these past two weeks, we have reflected on ways that we can come near to God. An additional way is found here in Psalm 34:19-20:
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” NIV
God hears you, delivers you, and is “close to the brokenhearted.” What good news that is! Consider this an open door to bring yourself before Him no matter what is happening in your life, no matter the state of your heart. Before reading on, take a moment to approach God right now.
Reset
Matthew 6:25-34 NIV
“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? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet our heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 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? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or “What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Walk with God
Our staff, and many of our ministry teams and small groups, study the Bible together by using a method called “SOAP.”
- S – Scripture – Read a verse, passage, or chapter.
- O – Observation – What did you see? What stood out to you?
- A – Application – What might God want to do or change?
- P – Prayer – Talk with God, and listen for His heart toward you.
Let’s practice SOAP now with today’s passage of the Sermon on the Mount.
- S – Scripture – Reread today’s verses.
- O – Observation – What is God showing you?
- A – Application – What will you do now with what God has shown you?
- P – Prayer – Talk, repent, praise—say what you need to say—and listen to what
your Heavenly Father may want to communicate with you.