Blogging Through the Gospels: Matthew 5

Thursday’s Reading is Matthew Chapter 5.

I hope your listening and prayer times are going well each day you read with us. It is my prayer that this will help you to set a routine to not only read God’s Word, but also enter into conversation with Him, sharing and really listening.

Let’s begin.

Just like the past few days, start by thanking God for some of His gifts to you from  the day before and today, as well as anything else that comes to mind. Share a reason why you love Him.

Next, present your requests to Him, remembering that He does want to hear them all, big and small.

If you would like to write down any of your thanks or prayer requests, feel free to do that. Don’t worry about making your notes look pretty, just jot your thoughts down.

Now ask Him to guide you through today’s reading and then read. After you have read through the passage once, think about your SOAP for the day. If you have to read it a few more times, that’s okay.

Here’s my confession for today:

Today’s reading was tough for me!

There is so much said in Chapter 5 that is was really hard for me to narrow it down to one verse for SOAP. I read it several times and then decided to “think about it,” which led me to fall asleep snuggled under a soft blanket on the couch. Oops.

And then when I woke, I tried again.

Here’s what I heard:

Scripture: Matthew 5:13

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

Observation:

Don’t lose your saltiness or love of Christ. If you do let that slip away, then what good are you?

Application:

As a follower of Christ, I need to keep my love of Him strong and my study ongoing. Otherwise, I am at risk of losing Him and becoming useless.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for this reminder to keep you in my life, front and center. Help me to retain my saltiness, my  love and wonder of you. Also, please guide me as I season the lives around me with you. Help me to share in the ways you know best and guide me in always being your disciple. Help me to keep my saltiness. I want you.

 

After your SOAP time, sit quietly and listen to what else God may have for you today. Set a timer for three minutes and try to just listen. Don’t ask. Don’t praise. Just listen for three whole minutes. And if you don’t hear anything, that is okay. You are learning how to listen.

After that if you’d like to pray some more, feel free to do that. But only after you listen quietly for three minutes. (Hiding in your bathroom or your closet often works if the kids are up. Well, sometimes, at least. :) )

Would you like to share any of your observations from today? Please do!


Comments

17 responses to “Blogging Through the Gospels: Matthew 5”

  1. Matthew 5:44 – love your enemy, always a challenge to forget after I forgive. http://temporarilywithoutfunds.blogspot.com/2011/04/gospels-matthew-five.html

  2. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    When Jesus saw the crowds (this verse continues the narrative from chp 4) He went up the mtn and His disciples followed. 

    Left the crowds
    UP mtn alone
    Those who truly knew Him followed Him up the mtn.
    After ministry, when the big crowds came to ask for more works, but not for HIM, He moved away to renew and teach truth- not just give more stuff. 

    Will I follow Him up the mtn? With or without the promise of gifts/stuff? Not for more healings or gifts, but to be alone with Him and hear truth? 

    Climb
    Away
    Quiet
    Follow
    Peace
    Attention on the Giver not the gifts

    Yes L-rd. I love being with You on the mtn, listening to You teach. You are so wise and being alone with You away from noise and crowds is precious time for me. You fill and fulfill all I need when I am alone with You. Thank You for the time You so kindly give. You are generous. You give so freely of Yourself.

  3. Day 4:
    “Jesus pointed out what it said in the law but then he added to it, he change it up, he raised the standard .”

    http://theonethingps274.wordpress.com/2011/04/07/blogging-through-the-gospels-day-4/

  4. I have read today’s verse, but I only get to pick one :( I am going to have to read some more and think and listen real hard before I pick my verse for today. I’ll be back!

    1. Sorry, I couldn’t pick just one.
      V. 5:37 – But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
      I think this is so much more than just swearing. Some people like to say things to get around the truth with telling a lie. LoL And I think that is exactly what this is talking about.

      V. 5:44-45 – But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.
      Just imagine if everyone could do this? I know I have a hard time with this, especially when it comes to someone mistreating my children.

      The more I read; the more I see I have a lot of improving to do.

      1. with out telling a lie.

  5. Good Morning Ladies!
    There were so many chosing 1 was impossible for me. I figured if they were one after the other we could count them as one, right?

    Have a blessed day, I am excited to delve into what everyone has shared.

  6. I picked verse 2. Jesus taught them. The disciples were never left in the dark but were constantly taught and encouraged. I find this very encouraging.

    http://www.cassandraland.com/2011/04/blogging-through-gospels-matthew-5.html

  7. I decided that it might be fun to blog through the Sermon on the Mount after finishing the Gospels. :)

    After much debate I chose vs 3 – “God blesses those who realize their need for Him for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.”

    The Blessing at the End of the Rope

  8. What? Just ONE verse??? Oh goodness, I’ve been failing then! :)

    http://lovethesmellofnapalm.blogspot.com/2011/04/blogging-through-gospels-day-4.html

  9. Verse 37: Say yes when you mean yes, and no when you mean no.

    I don’t think this is just about swearing. As women we sometimes get caught up in explaining and using a lot of unnecessary words… with our spouse, our children, our friends… and it gets messy. I need to simplify what I’m saying to others.

    1. Amen, I was thinking the same one when I chose that verse. It is something that I struggle with all the time.

    2. I was thinking along the same line. I think sometimes we feel like the yes or no might hurt someone’s feelings so we try to say it a different way. And that is when we can get ourselves in trouble. Just think of where our nation could be if it could just follow this one simple verse? Ha, in a perfect world, right!

  10. ‘Blessed are those who hunger & thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.’ Matt5:6 In this chapter Jesus is sharing with us how to live, to be called children of God. This verse is key to all– we are to continue to hunger, to desire, to seek to do what is right in the eyes of God. As Amy said “to keep God in our lives front and center”. Make seeking God & pleasing God the focus in all that we say & do. Dear Lord Jesus- you came to show us the way. Help us daily to stay on the right path, seeking you and putting you first.

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