Matthew 6

This is a chapter that I am very familiar with. These passages are like soft blankets on a cool evening; I feel at home. The Lord's prayer is here. This is important; these are the things that God wants to hear from us. He could have used a few dozen different examples of things for us to pray about but he chose these five: Honor Him, Look for His will for our life, Ask for our sustenance, Forgive us as we forgive others, and Keep us from Temptation/Evil. But there is a qualifier; the following verses reiterates: For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. I'm getting that forgiveness is huge for God. Makes sense because that is also what we need most from Him. The world today does not feel this same way. They want to punish, sue, kill for revenge, lock up, etc. Remember 'Santa Claus is Comin' to Town' claymation we watch every year...LOL...remember how he gives to the Winter Warlock a choo-choo train instead of being bitter; remember how the Winter Warlock's hard shell melts away? What if we did that with our enemies instead? I know, simplistic, but still...

The next large section of this chapter is about God's complete provision for us. "His eye is on the sparrow so I know He watches me." This is probably one of the most calming passages in the New testament and is especially poignant for today and our economy: ...do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on...Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? This next verse is meant directly to me and all my worrying: And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span! Amen, thank-you very much. LOL


There is so much more in this chapter, but we will revisit it again in another gospel. But like I said, you need to read this chapter and hang onto the promises. God always honors His promises. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." Then God makes a 'funny': ...do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. =)