I almost didn't go
to church tonight.
I was sick, tired,
and just lazy. I thought about just reading my bible with a big cup
of tea and it sounded amazing. But, just as I was seriously thinking
about it, my roommate Kelsey said, “go to church,” and I jumped
to it.
And, as usual, I
was so blessed by it.
Not only did I get
to sit by a couple of friends, but I also made a couple new ones,
caught up with one amazing young woman of God, and saw a bunch of
other friends throughout. I even got to hug two of my Haiti and
house church brothers :) It's a blessing when God connects you with
a family because you have a sense of never being alone, and that
encouragement is a serious gift from the Lord.
Tonight, Phil
taught on Matthew 6: 1-18, focusing on three main concepts: giving,
praying, and fasting. To sum up the entire sermon, the aim of Jesus'
teaching here is that we are to give, pray, and fast not to impress
others, or ourselves, but for the glory of God. The biggest thing I
took away from tonight was Phil's constant reminder that one of God's
names is El Roi, meaning God that sees.
When we give, God
can see if we are drawing attention to ourselves or if we are truly
giving to bless someone else. God can also see us when we're
praying, and if our prayers are intentional and meaningful or if they
are grand, yet empty. And, of course, when we are fasting, he can
see how we display our bodies...if we continue on with our lives, or
if we draw attention to ourselves through our hungry and gaunt
appearances.
We are who we truly
are when we are alone. And that is the way that we need to act when
we are with other people. God is teaching me that He sees everything
that I do, as well as my motivation and intent behind my actions.
It's a good thing to remember that God looks at the attitude behind
the action because it will help us to keep ourselves accountable.
Jesus is calling us
to be different from the pharisees, who set their worth on what
people thought of them. We are to be concerned with what God thinks
of us, especially because He can always see us and who we truly are.
He knows our
hearts, so be open and honest.
When you give, give
for the glory of God.
When you pray, pray
for the glory of God.
When you fast, fast
for the glory of God.
In Christ,
Lilia
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