Category: Matthew

Posted on

YOUR KINGDOM COME – YOUR WILL BE DONE / MATTHEW 6:10

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 6:10

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Prioritizing the Purpose: Understanding “Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done”

When we think about prayer, our minds often drift to our personal wish lists. We bring our worries, our health needs, and our financial stresses to God. While Scripture explicitly encourages us to cast our cares on Him, Jesus models a completely different starting point in the Lord’s Prayer.

In Matthew 6:10, Jesus gives us a radical shift in perspective: “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Before we ever mention our daily bread, Jesus calls us to anchor our hearts in the absolute priority of God’s purposes, power, and authority.

Your Kingdom Come: A Two-Fold Cry

To pray “Your kingdom come” is to pray with a dual focus: one eyes eternity, while the other looks at the present moment.

1. The Ultimate Future

First, this is a prayer for Christ’s return. We are looking forward to the final, physical establishment of God’s eternal kingdom in the new heaven and the new earth. As believers, our ultimate hope rests on the day when the old order of sin and decay passes away, and God dwells perfectly among His people.

2. The Present Power

Second, this is a plea for God’s power to invade the here and now. We are asking for His authority to manifest in our current culture and communities. This means following Jesus’ blueprint: exercising spiritual authority to destroy the works of Satan, heal the sick, save the spiritually lost, and advance truth.

Operating in this kind of kingdom power isn’t automatic. It requires a deep, dedicated relationship with God through prayer and an absolute dependence on the Holy Spirit for daily guidance.

Your Will Be Done: From Desire to Action

Praying “Your will be done” means we genuinely desire God’s supreme plans, purposes, and preferences to be fulfilled over our own—both in our individual lives and within our families.

  • How do we know His will? We discern it primarily through His revealed Word and by trusting the Holy Spirit to lead our hearts.
  • How do we align with it? God’s will is actively accomplished when we commit to seeking “His kingdom and His righteousness” above everything else.

Crucially, praying for God’s will is not a passive exercise. It is a declaration of availability. When we pray these words, we must be fully ready to take action and move in obedience the moment He reveals His purposes to us.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You recognizing that You already know our needs before we even ask. Yet today, we choose to lift our eyes above our temporary circumstances and focus on Your grand design.

Your kingdom come. We pray for the day when Christ returns and makes all things new. Until that glorious day, let Your kingdom power break through in our lives right now. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that we can boldly push back darkness, bring healing to the broken, share the gospel with the lost, and stand firmly on Your truth.

Your will be done. We surrender our personal agendas, our timelines, and our ambitions to You. Let Your perfect plans unfold in our lives, our homes, and our families. Give us the discernment to know Your voice through Your Word and the courage to act immediately when You call. Use us as instruments to accomplish Your purposes on earth just as they are carried out in heaven.

In Jesus’ mighty name,

Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. THIS THEN IS HOW YOU SHOULD PRAY / MATTHEW 6:9
  2. PRAY IN SECRET / MATTHEW 6:6
  3. ‘ACTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS’ BEFORE MEN / MATTHEW 6:1
  4. DO NOT RESIST AN EVIL PERSON / MATTHEW 5:39
  5. EXCEPT FOR MARITAL UNFAITHFULNESS / MATTHEW 5:32
  6. HELL / MATTHEW 5:29
  7. LOOKS LUSTFULLY / MATTHEW 5:28
  8. ANGRY … RACA … FOOL / MATTHEW 5:22
  9. UNLESS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:20
  10. GREAT IN THE KINGDOM / MATTHEW 5:19
  11. THE LAW TO FULFILL / MATTHEW 5:17
  12. LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS / MATTHEW 5:14-16
  13. SALT OF THE EARTH / MATTHEW 5:13
  14. PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:10
  15. THE PEACEMAKERS / MATTHEW 5:9
  16. THE PURE IN HEART / MATTHEW 5:8
  17. THE MERCIFUL / MATTHEW 5:7
  18. HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:6
  19. THE MEEK / MATTHEW 5:5
  20. THOSE WHO MOURN / MATTHEW 5:4
  21. BLESSED POOR IN SPIRIT / MATTHEW 5:3
  22. SERMON ON THE MOUNT / MATTHEW 5-7
  23. THE KINGDOM AND HEALING / MATTHEW 4:23
  24. FISHERS OF MEN / MATTHEW 4:19
  25. SATAN / MATTHEW 4:10
  26. ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD / MATTHEW 4:8
  27. IT IS WRITTEN / MATTHEW 4:6-7
  28. FASTING FORTY DAYS / MATTHEW 4:2
  29. JESUS … TEMPTED / MATTHEW 4:1-11
  30. THE TRINITY IN EXAMPLE / MATTHEW 3:17
  31. SPIRIT … ON HIM / MATTHEW 3:16
  32. JESUS … BAPTIZED / MATTHEW 3:13
  33. WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / MATTHEW 3:11
  34. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / MATTHEW 3:8
  35. PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES / MATTHEW 3:7
  36. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN – REPENT / MATTHEW 3:2
  37. WARNED IN A DREAM / MATTHEW 2:22-23
  38. KILL ALL THE BOYS / MATTHEW 2:16
  39. ESCAPE TO EGYPT / MATTHEW 2:13
  40. CHIEF PRIESTS AND TEACHERS OF THE LAW / MATTHEW 2:4
  41. HEROD – MAGI / MATTHEW 2:1-2
  42. NO UNION WITH HER UNTIL / MATTHEW 1:25
  43. VIRGIN … GIVE BIRTH TO A SON / MATTHEW 1:23
  44. JESUS / MATTHEW 1:21
  45. MARY … JESUS / MATTHEW 1:16
  46. CHRIST – SON OF DAVID /MATTHEW 1:1
  47. GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST / MATTHEW 1:1-16
  48. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

THIS THEN IS HOW YOU SHOULD PRAY / MATTHEW 6:9

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 6:9

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

Prioritizing His Presence: Understanding the Foundation of the Lord’s Prayer

When the disciples asked Jesus how to connect with the Almighty, He didn’t offer a complicated ritual or a rigid checklist. Instead, He gave them a revolutionary blueprint. In Matthew 6:9, Jesus begins: “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…'”

With these few words, Christ establishes the ultimate standard for a Christian’s prayer life. This model prayer isn’t a mindless chant; it is a framework of six precise petitions. The first three requests draw our gaze upward to God’s holiness and sovereign will, while the remaining three pivot to our personal daily needs.

While the prayer itself is brief, it isn’t a restriction on our time with God. Sincere prayer can be short, but it can also run deep—after we consider that Jesus Himself spent entire nights in prayer (Luke 6:12). Rather than limiting our time, Matthew 6:9 sets our priorities straight before we ever utter a single request for ourselves.

Our Father in Heaven: A Perfect Relationship

To call God “Father” was a radical shift in perspective for the disciples, and it remains a profound truth for us today. Prayer is first and foremost about worship and open, honest communication with our heavenly Father.

For many, the word “father” brings up painful memories of earthly shortcomings, abandonment, or harshness. But God is everything a believer could ever hope for, and He will never let you down.

  • He is approachable: As a loving Father, He cares for us, guides us, and invites us into a deep, authentic friendship. Through faith in Christ, we have constant access to His presence to express our deepest needs.
  • He is just: A truly loving father does not tolerate destructive behavior. God opposes sin because He knows what it does to His children. His discipline is never out of anger, but always perfectly tailored for our ultimate good and spiritual growth.

How He responds to us depends on our faith and obedience, but we can rest securely knowing that whether He gives or withholds, blesses or disciplines, His actions flow from perfect love and absolute justice.

Hallowed Be Your Name: Protecting His Reputation

The very first petition Jesus puts on our lips has nothing to do with our daily bread, our forgiveness, or our protection. It is entirely focused on God’s glory: “Hallowed be your name.”

To “hallow” God’s name means to treat it as sacred, holy, and completely set apart from evil. This is a call to action for our daily lives. If we call Him Father, our lives must reflect His character. We honor His name by pursuing:

  • Moral purity in a compromised world.
  • Spiritual wholeness rooted in Scripture.
  • Active devotion to His kingdom purposes.

When we live carelessly, we risk bringing disrespect to the message of the church and the character of God. When we pray “hallowed be your name,” we are asking God to align our hearts so passionately with His reputation that our words, habits, and attitudes naturally bring Him glory.

Before you bring your shopping list of requests to God today, pause. Remember who you are talking to: a perfect, loving Father who rules from heaven. Lift up His name, rest in His care, and let His holiness reshape your world.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, Almighty God in heaven, we bow before You today in awe of who You are. Thank You for adopting us into Your family through Christ Jesus and allowing us to call You ‘Father.’ We praise You that You are a perfect parent—always loving, always just, and always faithful, even when we fall short.

Lord, we ask that You set a guard over our hearts and our actions today. May Your name be hallowed in and through our lives. Grant us the strength to live with moral purity and unwavering devotion to Your kingdom, so that our lives bring praise, honor, and glory to Your reputation. Help us to trust Your perfect guidance and discipline, knowing it is always for our good. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. PRAY IN SECRET / MATTHEW 6:6
  2. ‘ACTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS’ BEFORE MEN / MATTHEW 6:1
  3. DO NOT RESIST AN EVIL PERSON / MATTHEW 5:39
  4. EXCEPT FOR MARITAL UNFAITHFULNESS / MATTHEW 5:32
  5. HELL / MATTHEW 5:29
  6. LOOKS LUSTFULLY / MATTHEW 5:28
  7. ANGRY … RACA … FOOL / MATTHEW 5:22
  8. UNLESS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:20
  9. GREAT IN THE KINGDOM / MATTHEW 5:19
  10. THE LAW TO FULFILL / MATTHEW 5:17
  11. LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS / MATTHEW 5:14-16
  12. SALT OF THE EARTH / MATTHEW 5:13
  13. PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:10
  14. THE PEACEMAKERS / MATTHEW 5:9
  15. THE PURE IN HEART / MATTHEW 5:8
  16. THE MERCIFUL / MATTHEW 5:7
  17. HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:6
  18. THE MEEK / MATTHEW 5:5
  19. THOSE WHO MOURN / MATTHEW 5:4
  20. BLESSED POOR IN SPIRIT / MATTHEW 5:3
  21. SERMON ON THE MOUNT / MATTHEW 5-7
  22. THE KINGDOM AND HEALING / MATTHEW 4:23
  23. FISHERS OF MEN / MATTHEW 4:19
  24. SATAN / MATTHEW 4:10
  25. ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD / MATTHEW 4:8
  26. IT IS WRITTEN / MATTHEW 4:6-7
  27. FASTING FORTY DAYS / MATTHEW 4:2
  28. JESUS … TEMPTED / MATTHEW 4:1-11
  29. THE TRINITY IN EXAMPLE / MATTHEW 3:17
  30. SPIRIT … ON HIM / MATTHEW 3:16
  31. JESUS … BAPTIZED / MATTHEW 3:13
  32. WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / MATTHEW 3:11
  33. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / MATTHEW 3:8
  34. PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES / MATTHEW 3:7
  35. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN – REPENT / MATTHEW 3:2
  36. WARNED IN A DREAM / MATTHEW 2:22-23
  37. KILL ALL THE BOYS / MATTHEW 2:16
  38. ESCAPE TO EGYPT / MATTHEW 2:13
  39. CHIEF PRIESTS AND TEACHERS OF THE LAW / MATTHEW 2:4
  40. HEROD – MAGI / MATTHEW 2:1-2
  41. NO UNION WITH HER UNTIL / MATTHEW 1:25
  42. VIRGIN … GIVE BIRTH TO A SON / MATTHEW 1:23
  43. JESUS / MATTHEW 1:21
  44. MARY … JESUS / MATTHEW 1:16
  45. CHRIST – SON OF DAVID /MATTHEW 1:1
  46. GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST / MATTHEW 1:1-16
  47. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

PRAY IN SECRET / MATTHEW 6:6

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 6:6

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Meeting God in Hidden Spaces: The Power of Secret Prayer

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” — Matthew 6:6

Every child of God needs a sacred space—a specific time and place to step away from the noise of the world and be entirely alone with the Creator. Without intentional moments of isolation, it is nearly impossible to develop a consistent, deeply personal prayer life.

However, praying in secret isn’t about hiding our faith, feeling ashamed, or keeping the life-changing message of Christ to ourselves. Instead, it is about intimacy. It is the intentional cultivation of our personal relationship with Jesus, learning to quiet our minds so we can discern the sharp insight and wise judgment of the Holy Spirit as He guides us.

Following the Pattern of Jesus

Jesus did not just preach about the secret place; He lived it. Throughout the Gospels, we see Him consistently slipping away from demanding crowds and even His closest disciples to seek His Father in solitude:

  • The Mountainside: He went up on a mountain by Himself to pray (Matthew 14:23).
  • The Early Morning: Rising a long while before daylight, He departed to a solitary place (Mark 1:35).
  • The Desert Places: He often withdrew into the wilderness to pray (Luke 5:16).

If the Son of God prioritized physical seclusion to protect His spiritual intimacy with the Father, how much more do we need to guard our own quiet time?

Finding Your Rhythms of Secret Prayer

While the Holy Spirit can prompt us to pray anywhere and at any time, establishing deliberate anchors throughout your day transforms your spiritual walk:

  • Morning Dedication: Before the notifications, emails, and demands of the day pull at your attention, meet God first. Committing your morning to Him ensures you face the day with Christ firmly on your mind.
  • Evening Reflection: As the day closes, return to your quiet space. Use this time to give thanks for His protection, offload your anxieties, and reflect on what He wants to teach you through the day’s experiences.
  • Spirit-Led Intercession: Remain sensitive to the sudden nudges of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes He will call you into a moment of secret prayer for your own immediate needs, but frequently, He will place someone else on your heart who needs your hidden intercession.

The Open Reward of Hidden Intimacy

When you make the choice to step into your inner room and shut out the world, God notices. He promises that your Father, who sees exactly what happens in secret, will reward you openly.

This reward isn’t always material. Far better, it comes as a deep, unshakeable sense of His presence, clearly answered prayers, and true spiritual honor that outlasts this life and endures for eternity. Your public strength is built in your secret devotion.

A Closing Prayer for the Secret Place

Heavenly Father, thank You for the incredible privilege of entering Your presence. Forgive me for the times I have allowed the busyness, noise, and distractions of this world to crowd out our time together. Lord, help me to establish a faithful, daily rhythm of stepping away to meet You in secret. Quiet my wandering thoughts and teach me to discern Your still, small voice. Guard my heart against performance, and anchor me in true intimacy with You. I commit my days, my worries, and my loves to Your hands, trusting in Your promise to meet me in the hidden spaces. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. ‘ACTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS’ BEFORE MEN / MATTHEW 6:1
  2. DO NOT RESIST AN EVIL PERSON / MATTHEW 5:39
  3. EXCEPT FOR MARITAL UNFAITHFULNESS / MATTHEW 5:32
  4. HELL / MATTHEW 5:29
  5. LOOKS LUSTFULLY / MATTHEW 5:28
  6. ANGRY … RACA … FOOL / MATTHEW 5:22
  7. UNLESS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:20
  8. GREAT IN THE KINGDOM / MATTHEW 5:19
  9. THE LAW TO FULFILL / MATTHEW 5:17
  10. LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS / MATTHEW 5:14-16
  11. SALT OF THE EARTH / MATTHEW 5:13
  12. PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:10
  13. THE PEACEMAKERS / MATTHEW 5:9
  14. THE PURE IN HEART / MATTHEW 5:8
  15. THE MERCIFUL / MATTHEW 5:7
  16. HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:6
  17. THE MEEK / MATTHEW 5:5
  18. THOSE WHO MOURN / MATTHEW 5:4
  19. BLESSED POOR IN SPIRIT / MATTHEW 5:3
  20. SERMON ON THE MOUNT / MATTHEW 5-7
  21. THE KINGDOM AND HEALING / MATTHEW 4:23
  22. FISHERS OF MEN / MATTHEW 4:19
  23. SATAN / MATTHEW 4:10
  24. ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD / MATTHEW 4:8
  25. IT IS WRITTEN / MATTHEW 4:6-7
  26. FASTING FORTY DAYS / MATTHEW 4:2
  27. JESUS … TEMPTED / MATTHEW 4:1-11
  28. THE TRINITY IN EXAMPLE / MATTHEW 3:17
  29. SPIRIT … ON HIM / MATTHEW 3:16
  30. JESUS … BAPTIZED / MATTHEW 3:13
  31. WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / MATTHEW 3:11
  32. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / MATTHEW 3:8
  33. PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES / MATTHEW 3:7
  34. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN – REPENT / MATTHEW 3:2
  35. WARNED IN A DREAM / MATTHEW 2:22-23
  36. KILL ALL THE BOYS / MATTHEW 2:16
  37. ESCAPE TO EGYPT / MATTHEW 2:13
  38. CHIEF PRIESTS AND TEACHERS OF THE LAW / MATTHEW 2:4
  39. HEROD – MAGI / MATTHEW 2:1-2
  40. NO UNION WITH HER UNTIL / MATTHEW 1:25
  41. VIRGIN … GIVE BIRTH TO A SON / MATTHEW 1:23
  42. JESUS / MATTHEW 1:21
  43. MARY … JESUS / MATTHEW 1:16
  44. CHRIST – SON OF DAVID /MATTHEW 1:1
  45. GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST / MATTHEW 1:1-16
  46. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

‘ACTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS’ BEFORE MEN / MATTHEW 6:1

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 6:1

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

Guarding Your Heart: The Trap of Performative Faith

In a world driven by likes, views, and public validation, Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:1 hit with piercing relevance: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”

This passage forces us to look in the mirror and ask a difficult question: Who are we actually living for?

The Motive Behind the Ministry

Jesus does not condemn doing good works; rather, He targets the hidden motives of our hearts. When we do the right things for the wrong reasons—seeking the applause, admiration, or validation of those around us—we trade the eternal, deep reward of God for the fleeting, superficial honor of men.

Scripture exposes this visual-first faith as hypocrisy. To act godly on the outside while craving personal significance on the inside is to wear a mask. True righteousness is an overflow of love for God, not a calculated performance for an audience.

Three Areas of Secret Devotion

Jesus specifically outlines three foundational disciplines where our motives are easily corrupted:

  • Giving: Offering resources quietly, without demanding recognition or keeping score.
  • Prayer: Communing intimately with the Father in secret, rather than staging eloquent public displays.
  • Fasting: Denying our physical desires to focus on spiritual growth, without advertising our sacrifice to the world.

The Contemporary Challenge

This warning directly challenges modern Christian culture. It confronts our temptation to compete for recognition, boast about ministry success under the guise of “testimony,” or turn sacred worship into a produced entertainment experience. When the driving desire is to be first, recognized, or celebrated, we build with wood, hay, and stubble. God tests our work by the purity of our intent, not the size of our platform.

Let us choose the hidden place of devotion, trusting that the Father who sees what is done in secret will reward us with what truly matters: His presence.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Search our hearts today and expose any areas where we are seeking the approval of people over Your pleasure. Forgive us for the times we have turned holy acts of giving, prayer, and discipline into a stage for our own egos.

Purify our motives, Lord. Grant us a sincere faith that does not need a spotlight to serve, a microphone to pray, or an audience to sacrifice. Help us to contentedly rest in the hidden place, secure in Your love alone. May everything we do bring ultimate glory to Your name, not our own.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. DO NOT RESIST AN EVIL PERSON / MATTHEW 5:39
  2. EXCEPT FOR MARITAL UNFAITHFULNESS / MATTHEW 5:32
  3. HELL / MATTHEW 5:29
  4. LOOKS LUSTFULLY / MATTHEW 5:28
  5. ANGRY … RACA … FOOL / MATTHEW 5:22
  6. UNLESS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:20
  7. GREAT IN THE KINGDOM / MATTHEW 5:19
  8. THE LAW TO FULFILL / MATTHEW 5:17
  9. LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS / MATTHEW 5:14-16
  10. SALT OF THE EARTH / MATTHEW 5:13
  11. PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:10
  12. THE PEACEMAKERS / MATTHEW 5:9
  13. THE PURE IN HEART / MATTHEW 5:8
  14. THE MERCIFUL / MATTHEW 5:7
  15. HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:6
  16. THE MEEK / MATTHEW 5:5
  17. THOSE WHO MOURN / MATTHEW 5:4
  18. BLESSED POOR IN SPIRIT / MATTHEW 5:3
  19. SERMON ON THE MOUNT / MATTHEW 5-7
  20. THE KINGDOM AND HEALING / MATTHEW 4:23
  21. FISHERS OF MEN / MATTHEW 4:19
  22. SATAN / MATTHEW 4:10
  23. ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD / MATTHEW 4:8
  24. IT IS WRITTEN / MATTHEW 4:6-7
  25. FASTING FORTY DAYS / MATTHEW 4:2
  26. JESUS … TEMPTED / MATTHEW 4:1-11
  27. THE TRINITY IN EXAMPLE / MATTHEW 3:17
  28. SPIRIT … ON HIM / MATTHEW 3:16
  29. JESUS … BAPTIZED / MATTHEW 3:13
  30. WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / MATTHEW 3:11
  31. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / MATTHEW 3:8
  32. PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES / MATTHEW 3:7
  33. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN – REPENT / MATTHEW 3:2
  34. WARNED IN A DREAM / MATTHEW 2:22-23
  35. KILL ALL THE BOYS / MATTHEW 2:16
  36. ESCAPE TO EGYPT / MATTHEW 2:13
  37. CHIEF PRIESTS AND TEACHERS OF THE LAW / MATTHEW 2:4
  38. HEROD – MAGI / MATTHEW 2:1-2
  39. NO UNION WITH HER UNTIL / MATTHEW 1:25
  40. VIRGIN … GIVE BIRTH TO A SON / MATTHEW 1:23
  41. JESUS / MATTHEW 1:21
  42. MARY … JESUS / MATTHEW 1:16
  43. CHRIST – SON OF DAVID /MATTHEW 1:1
  44. GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST / MATTHEW 1:1-16
  45. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

DO NOT RESIST AN EVIL PERSON / MATTHEW 5:39

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 5:39

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Choosing Grace Over Revenge: Understanding Matthew 5:39

When Jesus said, “Do not resist an evil person” in Matthew 5:39, He wasn’t giving a green light to injustice or saying we should tolerate abuse. As Scripture shows elsewhere, God establishes authorities to maintain justice and restrain evil (Romans 13:1-4). Instead, Jesus is challenging our personal reactions when we are wronged.

The context of this passage reveals a deeper call: to love our enemies and pray for those who mistreat us (Matthew 5:44). When hit with an insult or an unfair situation, our natural human instinct is to strike back with hatred or bitterness. Jesus calls us to a higher standard. He invites us to respond with a Christlike character that completely disrupts the cycle of retaliation.

How we treat those who mistreat us serves as a powerful mirror of the Gospel. Throughout Scripture, we see remarkable examples of this godly spirit in action:

  • Abraham gave Lot the first choice of the land, yet later risked his life to rescue Lot when he was captured (Genesis 13:1-13; 14:14).
  • Joseph forgave the very brothers who sold him into slavery, choosing to sustain them rather than seek revenge (Genesis 37:18-28, 50:19-21).
  • David repeatedly spared King Saul’s life, refusing to harm the man who was actively hunting him down (1 Samuel 24, 26).
  • Jesus and Stephen both prayed for the forgiveness of their executioners while actively laying down their lives (Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60).

When we choose kindness over retaliation, our actions force others to consider the reality of the Lord we serve. Standing out through radical grace can be the very catalyst that leads someone to accept Christ as their Savior and Lord.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the ultimate example of grace and restraint shown through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, it is incredibly difficult to stay calm and kind when we feel wronged, insulted, or unappreciated. We ask that You root out any spirit of hatred, bitterness, or revenge hiding inside our hearts.

Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that our immediate reaction to unfairness reflects Your love rather than our own anger. Help us to trust Your justice and give us the strength to love our enemies well. May our lives be a living testimony of Your goodness, drawing others out of darkness and into a relationship with You.

In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. EXCEPT FOR MARITAL UNFAITHFULNESS / MATTHEW 5:32
  2. HELL / MATTHEW 5:29
  3. LOOKS LUSTFULLY / MATTHEW 5:28
  4. ANGRY … RACA … FOOL / MATTHEW 5:22
  5. UNLESS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:20
  6. GREAT IN THE KINGDOM / MATTHEW 5:19
  7. THE LAW TO FULFILL / MATTHEW 5:17
  8. LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS / MATTHEW 5:14-16
  9. SALT OF THE EARTH / MATTHEW 5:13
  10. PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:10
  11. THE PEACEMAKERS / MATTHEW 5:9
  12. THE PURE IN HEART / MATTHEW 5:8
  13. THE MERCIFUL / MATTHEW 5:7
  14. HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:6
  15. THE MEEK / MATTHEW 5:5
  16. THOSE WHO MOURN / MATTHEW 5:4
  17. BLESSED POOR IN SPIRIT / MATTHEW 5:3
  18. SERMON ON THE MOUNT / MATTHEW 5-7
  19. THE KINGDOM AND HEALING / MATTHEW 4:23
  20. FISHERS OF MEN / MATTHEW 4:19
  21. SATAN / MATTHEW 4:10
  22. ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD / MATTHEW 4:8
  23. IT IS WRITTEN / MATTHEW 4:6-7
  24. FASTING FORTY DAYS / MATTHEW 4:2
  25. JESUS … TEMPTED / MATTHEW 4:1-11
  26. THE TRINITY IN EXAMPLE / MATTHEW 3:17
  27. SPIRIT … ON HIM / MATTHEW 3:16
  28. JESUS … BAPTIZED / MATTHEW 3:13
  29. WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / MATTHEW 3:11
  30. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / MATTHEW 3:8
  31. PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES / MATTHEW 3:7
  32. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN – REPENT / MATTHEW 3:2
  33. WARNED IN A DREAM / MATTHEW 2:22-23
  34. KILL ALL THE BOYS / MATTHEW 2:16
  35. ESCAPE TO EGYPT / MATTHEW 2:13
  36. CHIEF PRIESTS AND TEACHERS OF THE LAW / MATTHEW 2:4
  37. HEROD – MAGI / MATTHEW 2:1-2
  38. NO UNION WITH HER UNTIL / MATTHEW 1:25
  39. VIRGIN … GIVE BIRTH TO A SON / MATTHEW 1:23
  40. JESUS / MATTHEW 1:21
  41. MARY … JESUS / MATTHEW 1:16
  42. CHRIST – SON OF DAVID /MATTHEW 1:1
  43. GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST / MATTHEW 1:1-16
  44. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

EXCEPT FOR MARITAL UNFAITHFULNESS / MATTHEW 5:32

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 5:32

 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

The Weight of Our Words: Radical Covenant Loyalty in Matthew 5:32

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus consistently peels back the layers of religious legalism to expose the true state of the human heart. He isn’t merely looking for surface-level behavior modification; He is calling His followers to a radical, kingdom-minded righteousness. When He arrives at the topic of marriage in Matthew 5:32, His words cut sharply through the cultural conveniences of His day—and ours.

The text states: “But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

By explicitly outlining marital unfaithfulness (the Greek porneia) as the painful, devastating exception clause that shatters the marital bond, Jesus highlights a foundational truth: God designed marriage to be a lifelong, unshakeable covenant rooted in absolute loyalty.

Cultural Convenience vs. Kingdom Commitment

In the ancient world, cultural standards had diluted marriage into a contract of convenience. Religious leaders debated legal loopholes that allowed a man to divorce his wife for almost any trivial reason, effectively discarding her.

Jesus utterly disrupts this mindset. By raising the standard, He reminds us of three vital principles for modern relationships:

  • People Are Sacred, Not Disposable: Jesus protects the vulnerable by refusing to treat human beings or covenant relationships as objects to be cast aside when things get difficult.
  • The Exception Proves the Gravity: By acknowledging that only the profound betrayal of marital unfaithfulness fundamentally breaks the one-flesh union, Jesus underscores just how sacred and heavy the marriage vow truly is.
  • Heart Loyalty Matters: Just a few verses prior, Jesus addresses lust in the heart. Kingdom righteousness demands that our faithfulness is not just a lack of physical betrayal, but an active, daily choice to nurture love, honor, and devotion.

Beyond Marriage: A Call to Radical Truth

While Matthew 5:32 speaks directly to marriage, its heartbeat echoes into how we handle all of our commitments. Do we keep our promises only when they are easy, or do we stand by our word even when it costs us? Living as salt and light means our loyalty should mirror the fierce, unwavering commitment that God has toward us.

A Closing Prayer for Faithfulness and Healing

Heavenly Father,

We come before You acknowledging that You are a God of covenant, completely faithful to Your promises even when we stumble. Thank You for the high and beautiful standard You have set for our relationships, reflecting Your perfect love for the Church.

We pray today for marriages. Protect them from the spiritual, emotional, and physical drift that leads to betrayal. Where there is hardness of heart, bring softening. Where there is weariness, grant supernatural endurance. For those who are married, cultivate a deep, sacrificial loyalty that honors You in both public actions and private thoughts.

Lord, we also lift up those who have experienced the searing pain of broken vows and marital unfaithfulness. We ask for Your profound comfort, healing, and restoration to guard their hearts against bitterness or shame. Restore their joy and anchor them in Your unwavering identity.

Help all of us—whether single or married—to be people of absolute truth and integrity. May our words be trustworthy, our commitments unshakeable, and our hearts entirely devoted to You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. HELL / MATTHEW 5:29
  2. LOOKS LUSTFULLY / MATTHEW 5:28
  3. ANGRY … RACA … FOOL / MATTHEW 5:22
  4. UNLESS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:20
  5. GREAT IN THE KINGDOM / MATTHEW 5:19
  6. THE LAW TO FULFILL / MATTHEW 5:17
  7. LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS / MATTHEW 5:14-16
  8. SALT OF THE EARTH / MATTHEW 5:13
  9. PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:10
  10. THE PEACEMAKERS / MATTHEW 5:9
  11. THE PURE IN HEART / MATTHEW 5:8
  12. THE MERCIFUL / MATTHEW 5:7
  13. HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:6
  14. THE MEEK / MATTHEW 5:5
  15. THOSE WHO MOURN / MATTHEW 5:4
  16. BLESSED POOR IN SPIRIT / MATTHEW 5:3
  17. SERMON ON THE MOUNT / MATTHEW 5-7
  18. THE KINGDOM AND HEALING / MATTHEW 4:23
  19. FISHERS OF MEN / MATTHEW 4:19
  20. SATAN / MATTHEW 4:10
  21. ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD / MATTHEW 4:8
  22. IT IS WRITTEN / MATTHEW 4:6-7
  23. FASTING FORTY DAYS / MATTHEW 4:2
  24. JESUS … TEMPTED / MATTHEW 4:1-11
  25. THE TRINITY IN EXAMPLE / MATTHEW 3:17
  26. SPIRIT … ON HIM / MATTHEW 3:16
  27. JESUS … BAPTIZED / MATTHEW 3:13
  28. WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / MATTHEW 3:11
  29. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / MATTHEW 3:8
  30. PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES / MATTHEW 3:7
  31. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN – REPENT / MATTHEW 3:2
  32. WARNED IN A DREAM / MATTHEW 2:22-23
  33. KILL ALL THE BOYS / MATTHEW 2:16
  34. ESCAPE TO EGYPT / MATTHEW 2:13
  35. CHIEF PRIESTS AND TEACHERS OF THE LAW / MATTHEW 2:4
  36. HEROD – MAGI / MATTHEW 2:1-2
  37. NO UNION WITH HER UNTIL / MATTHEW 1:25
  38. VIRGIN … GIVE BIRTH TO A SON / MATTHEW 1:23
  39. JESUS / MATTHEW 1:21
  40. MARY … JESUS / MATTHEW 1:16
  41. CHRIST – SON OF DAVID /MATTHEW 1:1
  42. GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST / MATTHEW 1:1-16
  43. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

HELL / MATTHEW 5:29

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 5:29

 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Radical Amputation: What Jesus Taught About Hell and Our Sin

We don’t talk about hell very much anymore. In a world that prefers comfortable spirituality, the concept of eternal judgment feels jarring, outdated, and deeply offensive. Yet, if we claim to follow Jesus, we cannot ignore a striking truth: Jesus spoke about hell more than anyone else in Scripture.

He didn’t bring it up to be manipulative or malicious. He brought it up because He loves us enough to warn us when we are walking toward a cliff.

Nowhere is the severity of this warning clearer than in Matthew 5:29:

“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”

These are some of the most shocking words in the Gospels. What exactly is Jesus trying to tell us about sin, holiness, and the reality of hell?

1. Hell is a Real and Terrible Consequence

When Jesus used the word “hell” here, the original Greek text uses the word Gehenna. This referred to the Hinnom Valley just outside the walls of Jerusalem. It was a place with a dark history of human sacrifice that eventually became the city’s smoldering garbage dump. It was a place of constant decay, smoke, and fire.

By using this image, Jesus wasn’t just using a colorful metaphor. He was painting a visceral picture of final ruin, separation, and destruction. Jesus treats hell not as an abstract myth, but as an urgent, mathematical reality: the worst possible outcome for a human soul.

2. The Language of Urgent Hyperbole

Does Jesus literally want us to mutilate our bodies? No. We know this because even if a person gouges out their right eye, the left eye can still lust. The root of sin is not located in our physical body parts; it is located deeply within the human heart.

Jesus is using a brilliant teaching tool called hyperbole—intentional exaggeration to make a profound point. He targets the “right eye” and the “right hand” because, in ancient times, these represented a person’s most valuable and vital assets.

Jesus’s logic is clear: If you would willingly sacrifice your most precious physical asset to save your physical life, you must be willing to sacrifice anything to protect your eternal soul.

3. Fighting Sin with “Radical Amputation”

What does this look like practically? It means we must practice drastic boundaries with the things that cause us to compromise.

  • The toxic relationship: If a friendship or romance constantly pulls you into compromise, cut it off.
  • The smartphone or app: If an unrestricted screen constantly leads your eyes to wander, put radical boundaries on it.
  • The career path or habit: If an ambition forces you to lie, cheat, or compromise your integrity, throw it away.

The cost of choosing obedience may feel incredibly high right now. It might feel like losing a part of yourself. But Jesus reminds us that the cost of disobedience—which leads to ultimate ruin—is infinitely higher.

The Good News of the Cross

We cannot read Matthew 5:29 without recognizing that, on our own, we fail this standard. We have all let our eyes wander; we have all let our hands sin. If salvation depended on our own flawless cutting-away of sin, we would all be lost.

But this is exactly why Jesus came. He didn’t just give us a warning; He provided the rescue. On the cross, Jesus took the judgment and hell that our sins deserved so that we could be made whole through faith in Him. True holiness doesn’t come from legalistic self-mutilation; it comes from a heart that is so transformed by His love that it no longer wants anything to get in the way of walking with Him.

Don’t take your sin lightly today. It is dangerous, and the stakes are eternal. But remember that Jesus’s grace is greater than your deepest struggle.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, holy and righteous God, we thank You that You do not leave us in the dark about the reality of eternity. Lord, forgive us for the times we have treated sin lightly or played close to the edge of destruction. Awaken in us a holy desire for purity and righteousness. Give us the courage and the strength to cut out of our lives anything that causes us to stumble or draws us away from You. We thank You for the cross of Jesus, which saves us from ruin and gives us the power to live a life that honors You. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. LOOKS LUSTFULLY / MATTHEW 5:28
  2. ANGRY … RACA … FOOL / MATTHEW 5:22
  3. UNLESS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:20
  4. GREAT IN THE KINGDOM / MATTHEW 5:19
  5. THE LAW TO FULFILL / MATTHEW 5:17
  6. LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS / MATTHEW 5:14-16
  7. SALT OF THE EARTH / MATTHEW 5:13
  8. PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:10
  9. THE PEACEMAKERS / MATTHEW 5:9
  10. THE PURE IN HEART / MATTHEW 5:8
  11. THE MERCIFUL / MATTHEW 5:7
  12. HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:6
  13. THE MEEK / MATTHEW 5:5
  14. THOSE WHO MOURN / MATTHEW 5:4
  15. BLESSED POOR IN SPIRIT / MATTHEW 5:3
  16. SERMON ON THE MOUNT / MATTHEW 5-7
  17. THE KINGDOM AND HEALING / MATTHEW 4:23
  18. FISHERS OF MEN / MATTHEW 4:19
  19. SATAN / MATTHEW 4:10
  20. ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD / MATTHEW 4:8
  21. IT IS WRITTEN / MATTHEW 4:6-7
  22. FASTING FORTY DAYS / MATTHEW 4:2
  23. JESUS … TEMPTED / MATTHEW 4:1-11
  24. THE TRINITY IN EXAMPLE / MATTHEW 3:17
  25. SPIRIT … ON HIM / MATTHEW 3:16
  26. JESUS … BAPTIZED / MATTHEW 3:13
  27. WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / MATTHEW 3:11
  28. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / MATTHEW 3:8
  29. PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES / MATTHEW 3:7
  30. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN – REPENT / MATTHEW 3:2
  31. WARNED IN A DREAM / MATTHEW 2:22-23
  32. KILL ALL THE BOYS / MATTHEW 2:16
  33. ESCAPE TO EGYPT / MATTHEW 2:13
  34. CHIEF PRIESTS AND TEACHERS OF THE LAW / MATTHEW 2:4
  35. HEROD – MAGI / MATTHEW 2:1-2
  36. NO UNION WITH HER UNTIL / MATTHEW 1:25
  37. VIRGIN … GIVE BIRTH TO A SON / MATTHEW 1:23
  38. JESUS / MATTHEW 1:21
  39. MARY … JESUS / MATTHEW 1:16
  40. CHRIST – SON OF DAVID /MATTHEW 1:1
  41. GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST / MATTHEW 1:1-16
  42. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

LOOKS LUSTFULLY / MATTHEW 5:28

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 5:28

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Guarding the Heart: Understanding Jesus’ Higher Standard in Matthew 5:28

Many believers today argue that New Testament Christians are entirely free from the constraints of Old Testament law. However, Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 5:17 that He did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. In fact, throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Christ calls His followers to an even higher moral standard than the letter of the law required.

We see this explicitly in Matthew 5:28, where Jesus addresses the command against adultery. He transitions the focus from the external action to the internal condition of the heart, warning that “anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

The Danger of the Lingering Look

Jesus is not speaking about a passing, involuntary thought or a sudden temptation. Being tempted is not a sin; even Christ was tempted. The transgression occurs when we allow ungodly thoughts to linger, taking root in our minds.

To intentionally entertain and feed immoral desires is to give them internal approval. Cultivating these hidden fantasies actively reshapes our character and prepares us to act them out when the opportunity arises. An ungodly sexual desire that is entertained, coddled, and not resisted is sin.

Cultivating Purity in a Culture of Exposure

To live out Christ’s standard, we must actively guard what we allow into our minds. Satan frequently uses entertainment to erode moral boundaries. As believers, we must maintain strict spiritual vigilance over the media we consume, including movies, television, and literature. Scripture consistently warns us to flee from sexual immorality and to abstain from fleshly lusts that wage war against the soul (1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Peter 2:11).

A Shared Responsibility for Modesty

Maintaining sexual purity is a shared responsibility that requires effort from both men and women. God calls all believers to practice modesty in their words, actions, and attire.

  • Practicing Mutual Respect: Dressing in a manner that intentionally stirs up lustful desires or draws undue attention to the body creates a stumbling block for others. Scripture reminds us that behavior or dress that encourages another person to stumble is not pleasing to God (1 Timothy 2:9).
  • Guarding the Eye Gate: Men and women alike must actively guard their eyes and hearts, consciously choosing to turn away from situations, environments, or media that provoke lustful thoughts.

True purity begins in the hidden spaces of the mind. By submitting our thought lives to the lordship of Christ, we honor God, protect our neighbors, and fulfill the high calling of the gospel.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You recognizing that You see not just our outward actions, but the deepest intentions and thoughts of our hearts. Forgive us for the times we have allowed our minds to wander into areas that do not honor You. Cleanse us from secret faults and create in us clean hearts.

Holy Spirit, grant us the wisdom and strength to guard our eyes and minds from the temptations of this world. Help us to establish healthy boundaries in our entertainment, our dress, and our relationships. May our lives reflect Your holiness, and may our thoughts be pleasing in Your sight. We ask for the grace to walk in purity, holding fast to the high standard Christ set for us.

In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. ANGRY … RACA … FOOL / MATTHEW 5:22
  2. UNLESS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:20
  3. GREAT IN THE KINGDOM / MATTHEW 5:19
  4. THE LAW TO FULFILL / MATTHEW 5:17
  5. LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS / MATTHEW 5:14-16
  6. SALT OF THE EARTH / MATTHEW 5:13
  7. PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:10
  8. THE PEACEMAKERS / MATTHEW 5:9
  9. THE PURE IN HEART / MATTHEW 5:8
  10. THE MERCIFUL / MATTHEW 5:7
  11. HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:6
  12. THE MEEK / MATTHEW 5:5
  13. THOSE WHO MOURN / MATTHEW 5:4
  14. BLESSED POOR IN SPIRIT / MATTHEW 5:3
  15. SERMON ON THE MOUNT / MATTHEW 5-7
  16. THE KINGDOM AND HEALING / MATTHEW 4:23
  17. FISHERS OF MEN / MATTHEW 4:19
  18. SATAN / MATTHEW 4:10
  19. ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD / MATTHEW 4:8
  20. IT IS WRITTEN / MATTHEW 4:6-7
  21. FASTING FORTY DAYS / MATTHEW 4:2
  22. JESUS … TEMPTED / MATTHEW 4:1-11
  23. THE TRINITY IN EXAMPLE / MATTHEW 3:17
  24. SPIRIT … ON HIM / MATTHEW 3:16
  25. JESUS … BAPTIZED / MATTHEW 3:13
  26. WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / MATTHEW 3:11
  27. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / MATTHEW 3:8
  28. PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES / MATTHEW 3:7
  29. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN – REPENT / MATTHEW 3:2
  30. WARNED IN A DREAM / MATTHEW 2:22-23
  31. KILL ALL THE BOYS / MATTHEW 2:16
  32. ESCAPE TO EGYPT / MATTHEW 2:13
  33. CHIEF PRIESTS AND TEACHERS OF THE LAW / MATTHEW 2:4
  34. HEROD – MAGI / MATTHEW 2:1-2
  35. NO UNION WITH HER UNTIL / MATTHEW 1:25
  36. VIRGIN … GIVE BIRTH TO A SON / MATTHEW 1:23
  37. JESUS / MATTHEW 1:21
  38. MARY … JESUS / MATTHEW 1:16
  39. CHRIST – SON OF DAVID /MATTHEW 1:1
  40. GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST / MATTHEW 1:1-16
  41. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

ANGRY … RACA … FOOL / MATTHEW 5:22

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 5:22

 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Heart Check: Moving from Anger to Grace

We live in a culture where venting anger is often celebrated as a form of authenticity. However, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stops us in our tracks with a radical, heart-level standard. In Matthew 5:22, He addresses three escalating levels of relational brokenness: being angry, shouting Raca, and calling someone a fool.

To understand His words, we must recognize that Jesus is not speaking of a justified anger at those who are wicked and cruel, such as His own righteous indignation when cleansing the temple (John 2:13-17). Rather, He is condemning the act of judging another out of personal malice, fueled by a desire to harm, demean, or culturally destroy another person.

The Weight of Our Words

Jesus breaks down how hidden bitterness manifests into destructive behavior:

  • Internal Anger: The baseline danger starts in the heart. Harboring unresolved, self-righteous anger places us under the same moral judgment as the act of murder, because murder begins in the mind.
  • “Raca” (The Insult): Raca is an Aramaic term of contempt. It essentially means calling someone an “empty-headed fool” or worthless. It is the sin of arrogance—arrogantly dismissing someone’s intelligence and dignity.
  • “You Fool!” (The Condemnation): In the biblical context, calling someone a “godless fool” (mōros) goes beyond mocking their intellect. It judges their character and spiritual standing. Calling a person a godless fool in anger indicates a heart attitude that places one “in danger of the fire of hell.” It usurps God’s role as the ultimate Judge.

The Condition of the Heart

Jesus reveals that our words are a spiritual heart monitor. Murderous actions start as murderous attitudes. When we diminish another human being made in the image of God to an “empty head” or a “godless fool,” we reveal a desire to erase their worth.

Today, let us ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts. Are we harboring hidden contempt? Are we using our words to tear down? True righteousness calls us to lay down our rights, forgive quickly, and see others through the lens of God’s redeeming grace.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, search my heart today. Forgive me for the moments I have allowed anger to fester into bitterness, and for the times my words have diminished others. Guard my tongue against contempt, insult, and judgment. Cleanse me of any desire to harm another person’s dignity or reputation. Fill me instead with Your Holy Spirit, that my words may build up and reflect Your profound grace. Teach me to love as You love, seeing every person as an image-bearer of the Creator. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. UNLESS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:20
  2. GREAT IN THE KINGDOM / MATTHEW 5:19
  3. THE LAW TO FULFILL / MATTHEW 5:17
  4. LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS / MATTHEW 5:14-16
  5. SALT OF THE EARTH / MATTHEW 5:13
  6. PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:10
  7. THE PEACEMAKERS / MATTHEW 5:9
  8. THE PURE IN HEART / MATTHEW 5:8
  9. THE MERCIFUL / MATTHEW 5:7
  10. HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:6
  11. THE MEEK / MATTHEW 5:5
  12. THOSE WHO MOURN / MATTHEW 5:4
  13. BLESSED POOR IN SPIRIT / MATTHEW 5:3
  14. SERMON ON THE MOUNT / MATTHEW 5-7
  15. THE KINGDOM AND HEALING / MATTHEW 4:23
  16. FISHERS OF MEN / MATTHEW 4:19
  17. SATAN / MATTHEW 4:10
  18. ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD / MATTHEW 4:8
  19. IT IS WRITTEN / MATTHEW 4:6-7
  20. FASTING FORTY DAYS / MATTHEW 4:2
  21. JESUS … TEMPTED / MATTHEW 4:1-11
  22. THE TRINITY IN EXAMPLE / MATTHEW 3:17
  23. SPIRIT … ON HIM / MATTHEW 3:16
  24. JESUS … BAPTIZED / MATTHEW 3:13
  25. WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / MATTHEW 3:11
  26. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / MATTHEW 3:8
  27. PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES / MATTHEW 3:7
  28. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN – REPENT / MATTHEW 3:2
  29. WARNED IN A DREAM / MATTHEW 2:22-23
  30. KILL ALL THE BOYS / MATTHEW 2:16
  31. ESCAPE TO EGYPT / MATTHEW 2:13
  32. CHIEF PRIESTS AND TEACHERS OF THE LAW / MATTHEW 2:4
  33. HEROD – MAGI / MATTHEW 2:1-2
  34. NO UNION WITH HER UNTIL / MATTHEW 1:25
  35. VIRGIN … GIVE BIRTH TO A SON / MATTHEW 1:23
  36. JESUS / MATTHEW 1:21
  37. MARY … JESUS / MATTHEW 1:16
  38. CHRIST – SON OF DAVID /MATTHEW 1:1
  39. GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST / MATTHEW 1:1-16
  40. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

UNLESS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:20

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 5:20

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Beyond the Surface: What Jesus Meant by “Unless Your Righteousness…”

In Matthew 5:20, Jesus drops a bombshell on His listeners: “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

To the everyday person standing on that hillside, this statement was terrifying. The Pharisees and teachers were the ultimate spiritual heavyweights of their day. They seemed to do everything right. They lived meticulously by the law, memorized Scripture, prayed on schedule, fasted regularly, and never missed a worship service.

If their righteousness wasn’t enough to get into heaven, what hope did anyone else have?

The Trap of External Religion

The problem wasn’t what the Pharisees were doing; it was why and how they were doing it. Their righteousness was entirely external. They mastered the art of the outward performance while their hearts remained completely unchanged. They substituted religious rule-following for true, inner devotion to God.

It is dangerously easy to fall into this same trap today. We can easily check off our spiritual to-do lists:

  • Attending church services
  • Reading a daily devotion
  • Volunteering for ministry projects
  • Giving tithes and offerings

But Jesus looks straight past our religious checklists. He looks directly at the heart. In Mark 7:6, Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah to expose this exact issue: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

The Standard is Love and Trust

Jesus isn’t calling us to become more rigid legalists than the Pharisees. He is calling us to a deeper, transformative righteousness that starts from the inside out. True righteousness means our hearts, spirits, and secret motives conform to God’s standards because we love and trust Him.

God doesn’t just want your compliance; He wants your devotion. External actions are empty without the correct inner attitudes. When we truly love God, our outward actions naturally flow from a place of genuine worship, not obligation or a desire to be seen by others. We need both: a heart captured by God’s grace and a life that reflects His holiness.

Examine your spiritual walk this week. Are you just going through the motions, or is your faith driven by a vibrant, loving relationship with Jesus? Let’s ask Him to do a deep work in our hearts today.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, search my heart today. Forgive me for the times I have settled for a superficial faith, valuing the applause of people or the comfort of a checklist over true intimacy with You. Cleanse my secret motives and align my inner attitudes with Your Holy Spirit.

Lord, I know I cannot produce true righteousness on my own strength. I ask You to transform my heart from the inside out so that my words, thoughts, and actions naturally reflect Your love, truth, and grace. Let my devotion to You be driven by authentic love and absolute trust. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. GREAT IN THE KINGDOM / MATTHEW 5:19
  2. THE LAW TO FULFILL / MATTHEW 5:17
  3. LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS / MATTHEW 5:14-16
  4. SALT OF THE EARTH / MATTHEW 5:13
  5. PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:10
  6. THE PEACEMAKERS / MATTHEW 5:9
  7. THE PURE IN HEART / MATTHEW 5:8
  8. THE MERCIFUL / MATTHEW 5:7
  9. HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:6
  10. THE MEEK / MATTHEW 5:5
  11. THOSE WHO MOURN / MATTHEW 5:4
  12. BLESSED POOR IN SPIRIT / MATTHEW 5:3
  13. SERMON ON THE MOUNT / MATTHEW 5-7
  14. THE KINGDOM AND HEALING / MATTHEW 4:23
  15. FISHERS OF MEN / MATTHEW 4:19
  16. SATAN / MATTHEW 4:10
  17. ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD / MATTHEW 4:8
  18. IT IS WRITTEN / MATTHEW 4:6-7
  19. FASTING FORTY DAYS / MATTHEW 4:2
  20. JESUS … TEMPTED / MATTHEW 4:1-11
  21. THE TRINITY IN EXAMPLE / MATTHEW 3:17
  22. SPIRIT … ON HIM / MATTHEW 3:16
  23. JESUS … BAPTIZED / MATTHEW 3:13
  24. WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / MATTHEW 3:11
  25. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / MATTHEW 3:8
  26. PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES / MATTHEW 3:7
  27. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN – REPENT / MATTHEW 3:2
  28. WARNED IN A DREAM / MATTHEW 2:22-23
  29. KILL ALL THE BOYS / MATTHEW 2:16
  30. ESCAPE TO EGYPT / MATTHEW 2:13
  31. CHIEF PRIESTS AND TEACHERS OF THE LAW / MATTHEW 2:4
  32. HEROD – MAGI / MATTHEW 2:1-2
  33. NO UNION WITH HER UNTIL / MATTHEW 1:25
  34. VIRGIN … GIVE BIRTH TO A SON / MATTHEW 1:23
  35. JESUS / MATTHEW 1:21
  36. MARY … JESUS / MATTHEW 1:16
  37. CHRIST – SON OF DAVID /MATTHEW 1:1
  38. GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST / MATTHEW 1:1-16
  39. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Proudly powered by WordPress