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Today’s Bible Reading: Matthew  6:9-13

Memory Verse: Matthew 6:9

‘After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.’

Although God was referred to as ‘our Father’ 13 times in the Old Testament, Jesus’ frequent use of this title brought a whole new understanding of our relationship with God. Jesus referred to God as His father over 150 times, and He spoke of God as being our father 30 times. This infuriated the religious Jews of Jesus’ day who considered it blasphemy to call God their father, because they understood that to mean they were equal with God (Jn. 5:17-18).

This title has become so common in the church today that we, many times, don’t perceive its real significance. The revelation that we are instructed to call God ‘our Father’ reveals the kind, gentle, loving nature of our God (1 Jn. 4:8). Paul amplifies this by using the term ‘Abba Father’ (Rom. 8:15), which is an affectionate term that a young child would use for his father, corresponding to our English word, ‘daddy.’

We are being instructed here to recognize our relationship with God and praise Him for it. It’s a relationship that goes beyond any human relationship we could ever have here on this earth. It’s a relationship of belonging to a father, who loves us because we are His. Run to Him, drop all pretense and formality, and call Him ‘Daddy.’

Today’s Bible Reading: Matthew 6:5-8

Memory Verse: Matthew 6:7

‘But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.’

Commentary By Andrew Wommack

Some of the most effective prayers are the shortest prayers. Jesus said, ‘Peace, be still,’ and the wind and the waves ceased (Mk. 4:39). He said, ‘Lazarus, come forth,’ and Lazarus came back from the dead (Jn. 11:43-44).

Today, there is a new emphasis on the quantity of prayer instead of the quality of prayer. Jesus never advocated long prayers, and there are only a few instances where Jesus prayed long prayers. This is not to say that communion with God is not important. It certainly is, but formal prayer is only one part of our communion with the Lord.

Psalm 5:1-2 uses the words ‘prayer’ and ‘meditation’ interchangeably. Therefore, communing with God through keeping your mind stayed on the things of the Lord is also prayer. There are also times in prayer when we need to be still and know that God is God (Ps. 46:10).

Many times we ask the Lord to speak to us, but He can’t get a word in ‘edge-wise.’ We’re doing all the talking.

Today’s Bible Reading: Matthew 5:33-37

Memory Verse: Matthew 5:33

‘But let your communication be, Yea, yea: Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.’

Commentary By Andrew Wommack

A person who has to swear or make a promise to validate his statements is a person whose word is no good. The thrust of Jesus’ teaching here is that we should live in such a manner that no one would ever have to have additional proof that we are telling the truth. Our word should be our bond.

We have all heard the story of the young shepherd boy who cried wolf when there was no wolf until finally no one believed him when the wolf really came. Our lack of integrity in performing our word has the same effect on people today.

Very few people conduct business anymore with their word and a handshake. Even contracts are not sacred if an individual can afford a good enough lawyer. But this is not the way God intended it.

God has fulfilled every word He has ever spoken. We were created in His image and He planned for us to be the same way. Even our physical bodies respond adversely when we lie. That’s why lie detectors work.

Today, commit yourself to be a new man or woman of your word. You will not only experience a new respect from others, but you will find the joy of a clear heart and mind.