5 Day Devotional to go deeper in this week’s message:
Day 1: The Heart Behind the Habit
Scripture: Matthew 6:1-4
Focus: Jesus teaches us to check our motives when practicing righteousness. Are we seeking the praise of others, or are we focused on honoring God?
Reflection: It’s easy to do good deeds for the sake of recognition. Whether it’s helping others or serving in church, we must examine the why behind our actions. If we’re doing things for the applause of others, we’ve already received our reward. God, however, sees our hearts and promises a greater reward when we act out of love for Him and His Kingdom.
Life Application: Today, take a moment to reflect on your recent actions. Are there any deeds you’ve done for recognition rather than from a pure heart? Ask God to help you refocus on serving Him and others with a sincere heart, free from the need for human praise.
Day 2: The Danger of Hypocrisy in Prayer
Scripture: Matthew 6:5-8
Focus: Jesus warns against using prayer for show. It’s not about the fancy words or being heard by others, but about sincere communication with God.
Reflection: Prayer is meant to be a personal connection with God, not a performance for others. Jesus encourages us to pray in private, focusing on our relationship with God. Prayer is more about the heart’s posture than the eloquence of our words.
Life Application: Evaluate your prayer life today. Are you more concerned with how your prayers sound to others than your relationship with God? Spend time in private prayer today, just talking to God like a friend. Let go of the pressure to impress others and focus on the intimate conversation between you and your Creator.
Day 3: The Lord’s Prayer and God’s Will
Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13
Focus: Jesus gave us a model prayer, teaching us to seek God’s will, to ask for provision, forgiveness, and deliverance. Prayer should align with God’s purposes, not our own selfish desires.
Reflection: The Lord’s Prayer is not just a recitation but a guide for how we should approach God in prayer. It reminds us to keep God at the center, acknowledging His holiness and seeking His will over our own.
Life Application: Today, when you pray, focus on surrendering your will to God’s. Ask God to help you align your desires with His. Let the Lord’s Prayer be a template for how you communicate with Him, focusing on His glory and kingdom first.
Day 4: Fasting with a Pure Heart
Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18
Focus: The purpose of Fasting is to draw closer to God and grow in faith and prayer. It must be done with the right motives. Jesus warns against fasting to appear spiritual to others. Reflection: Just like giving and prayer, fasting can become a public spectacle if done with wrong motives. Fasting should be an intimate act between you and God, not a way to gain approval or recognition from others. It’s about focusing on God and seeking His presence.
Life Application: If you’re fasting or doing something sacrificial for God, check your heart. Are you doing it to grow closer to Him or to show others your spirituality? Keep your fasts private and focused on deepening your relationship with God.
Day 5: Forgiving Others as God Has Forgiven Us
Scripture: Matthew 6:14-15
Focus: Jesus teaches that forgiveness is crucial in our relationship with God. If we want God’s forgiveness, we must forgive others.
Reflection: Forgiveness can be one of the hardest things to do, but it’s essential for spiritual growth. Holding onto bitterness only harms us, while forgiveness frees us to experience God’s peace. We are called to forgive as God has forgiven us, with grace and compassion.
Life Application: Is there someone in your life that you need to forgive? Ask God to give you the strength to let go of any bitterness and to forgive that person, just as He has forgiven you. Take time to pray for healing in that relationship today.
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