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Matt 7:15-28
Reading this section constantly for a couple of weeks now and it still hits with impact. Watch out for those leading you astray. Why would anyone want to do that? Many people think following Jesus is a simple and wholesome way. Yes, but it is foolish to think the enemy is uninterested in what God is up to with us. I find it interesting how Jesus doesn't tell us to study and learn all we can about Him in order to reveal the enemy's tricks. Rather, Jesus simply tells us to notice their actions. The may be lot of good things they do, but if we are observant, there will be plenty of destructive and harmful practices also. They may look and sound godly, but actions speak louder than words. Jesus explains how He will say "He never knew them." People want to believe they get to write the script on what's good enough, but only God does that. Moreover, it's not just what you say, having all the theologically correct answers, but what you do. Only the one who does the will of His Father in heaven will enter. Faith alone saves us through the forgiveness of Jesus. We accept this gift without cost. The cost comes when the enemy attacks. Ours worst enemy is our sinful human nature. Satan is our next worst enemy, doing everything he can to validate our self-serving needs.

The gift is free. The cost comes when we want to keep it. Asking God for help is the only solution. He will give us His Spirit who enables us to follow. Thank God He forgives us time and again when we ask. Without this and then following, we won't make it.

Matt 7:1-14
A possible train of thought for Jesus here is how He starts with getting our heads in the right spot. Our biggest concern is commonly about meeting our immediate needs; Food, shelter, safety. Jesus knows this, but challenges us to be concerned with our spiritual needs above them. He's got the rest. It's as if He anticipates our jealousy to see others getting their needs/comforts attended to while we focus on spiritual disciplines. In our lack of comforts, we can be critical of them receiving theirs. We can also be critical of their lack of effert on their real need.

Jesus then reminds us not everyone wants the truth on their eternal future. Spending excessive efforts on them is futile. We believe everyone has the capacity to realize this option, not everyone values it enough though. Jesus already knows who they are, but we don't. He knows initial attempts to share our hope are required, but He knows their future. At what point do we move on though? We accept some level of ridicule for our faith, but Jesus warns us to moderate our efforts and move on.

Perhaps the seed planted will be productive. Perhaps not, but those interested will seek and find. Jesus doesn't mandate us to seek it for them. Know, however, most won't. Stay focused though, Jesus has more advise/warning to those who lose their priority.

No, I don't want to critical of others.  Yes, I do want to be held accountable for bad assessments.  No, I don't want to play God and decide what is right and wrong, but we are also called to make a stand and let our light shine.  It doesn't mean to be an idiot about it though.  We are called to stand up for what is right over and over.  Some believe they have a plank in their eye, so they're not qualified to react to destructive views.  We all have had a plank in our eye at some time, but that doesn't excuse us from condemning a bad view.  
If someone defends a point of view we understand to be contrary to God's way, we need to be diligent about opposing the view and not condemning the person.  There are too many directives regarding complacent want-to-be Christians.

Therefore, avoid judging others.  When necessary, get the facts and make a stand with God for His way.  Be bold and meek, not critical and harsh.

Matt 6:22-24
What are the most coveted desires? According to popular searches; happiness, love, acceptance, freedom, peace, power, and status all top the list. Every one of these desires can be attained or mostly attained with money. The most fascinating one, however, is peace. While money can provide something very close to peace, the fullest meaning of peace is a completeness that satisfies and brings fulfills purpose to the ultimate contentment.
Yes, it is as if all these descriptions are necessary to capture the depth of the what humans collectively desire most. Over and over, capturing all other desires have left people searching for more. Money is what human nature attributes to the ultimate need and want in life.
Agree with Jesus or not, but too many people have learned the hard way that human nature doesn't have the answer.
Choose wisely where to find your ultimate desire.

Matt 6:16-18
The line so often used on the topic of fasting is Jesus saying "when you fast." While Jesus doesn't demand we fast, He does recognize the need for us to deny ourselves by whatever means necessary and be wholeheartedly attentive to seeking and receiving the power of God's guidance. Yes, you will not find fasting to be a directive, but it is a tool for ignoring all the distractions and allowing God to be our help.
The purpose of fasting isn't about going without food, rather it is about seeking God's will while we draw closer to Him. More than denying our interests such as food, our primary concern is our need to right with Him.
We can come up with all the reasons why we don't have to fast, but we can't dismiss intentional time specifically designed to come close to the One we love.

Matt 6:12-15
Forgiveness. It is the only subject relevant to our path to life. Yes, honoring God, His name, and how He expands His rule over it are all paramount truths. Forgiveness, however, is the only passage for us to be part of this universal truth. It may come at the end of the prayer Jesus taught us, but it is the item we can't overlook. Yes, honoring God's sovereignty is primary, but we can't and won't do this without forgiveness.

This topic is as natural and effortless as breathing for some, but a major challenge for others. God has many reasons for allowing us to all have our various struggles. It really takes minimal effort to list these reasons, none of which are irrellevant. Nevertheless, we ache to be over this all and in our perfect place forever with God and His family. Forgiveness can be talked about for a lifetime, and there would still probably be more to say about it. Regardless, it will always be a simple, self-explanitory topic that really only needs our continual focus. No need to disect it, study it, or understand it better. Just stay focused on it.

Matt 6:11
No surprise, Jesus prioritizes having God be recognized as holy and sovereign beforegetting our will in alignment with His. These two attitude checks clearly are the model for being in the right relationship with God. The interesting part is Jesus recognizing our earthly needs over our spiritual need of forgiveness. No doubt, we are far more consumed by our physical desires and needs over the less tangible spiritual ones. It goes without saying, our spiritual needs have greater consequences, but they just don't get the attention they require. Why does Jesus teach us to address our physical needs ahead of our spiritual need of forgiveness?
To be fair, we are to first get our will coordinated to His. Without getting this right, forgiveness is like a bandage for a massive head wound. If we don't want to be with God, how can we expect to be forgiven. Why would God heal us spiritually if we are refusing treatment?
Jesus teaches us to get our will in order, then we manage our physical needs as our spiritual needs. It appears to me, submission of will is our first spiritual need, followed by our physical needs. Forgiveness is the seal.
Can we be unsealed then? Not to open this topic, but the answer is yes and no.
Yes, our actions either verify or condemn us. Were we sealed? Yes, but not in the eternal picture if we don't prove our intent with the action of what we do.
We often think of being saved as points in time. It seems to me we are either in the book of life or not.
We want to believe we are in through forgiveness, and we are in a matter of speaking. The problem is we are either in the book or not. This is how Calvanists see it. Arminianist want to believe we can be in the book, but lack of faith and/or actions get us taken out of it.

In summary, allow your will to be in alignment with His, address your physical needs, get spiritually made right, and ask for help to stay the course.

Matt 6:9,10
Jesus has the bes insight into Who it's all about. While we may highly valued as a type of offspring to the eternal One, we are most definitely here for His purpose. We can adopt an entitled role, and there is some truth in our value to Him, but this attitude has certainly proven to be very short-lived for One who has nobody to appease. Oh, but you say He loves us and made us to be loved? Our idea of love is so limited. It's your life, or existence if you entitle yourself out of the family by not truly accepting what forgiveness means. Therefore, we remember we are here to do and be whatever He desires. Yes, He desires good for us, but not necessarily what we consider good to be.

Jesus knows exactly who runs things and even a perfect Son knows how to be in harmony with God. The sooner we decide to be on board with the way it works the better it will be for us. This isn't to say we can't approach Him through Jesus and interact with Him. By all means, He desires this. Be smart enough to know who you are approaching though. We want the cuddly father, but this is also the Father who does what He wills. The sooner we treat Him as such, the better.

People in the free world get to live by so many rights and priviledges, we have completely forgotten what true power looks like. Yes, the power of free will is real, but ultimate power is ultimate.

God is having His way now, and will complete His plan in His due time. The sooner we accept this, the better our lives will be. So much better.

Many are in denial of a loving God allowing us to eternally suffer. Whose choice will that be. We either go with God or our plan. Our plan is chaos, an eternity of chaos where God Himself dictates the parameters.
The power of will has far deeper consequences than we can fathom. Choose wisely.

Matt 5:6-8
Since our culture is so different than Jesus day, the closest we will likely ever get to those who have showy/self-serving prayers is maybe in a small group prayer time setting. Not to defend these people, as long winded prayers so often are self-serving, but we should be quick to realize they may not be grieving God. What's more, there are worse things for them to be doing. Jesus knew those who did it in the days He was here were doing it for recognition. Clearly not impressing God, but not necessasarily sinning. They receive their own minimal reward with these stunts.
Today, a long winded prayer, or one with lofty & religioius lines also gets the same response from God. The real message Jesus is sending here is what kind of prayer will get His attention. When He says He will reward us for the private and heartfelt prayer, He means He will accept these pleas and take them to His heart also. This is the only kind of reward we hope for anyway.
Definitely, do not be like the self-serving attention getter. Besides, our Father already knows what we need, even if it is a concern for others.
Jesus has a better script for us. Yes, His half-brother tells us we don't have because we don't ask with the right intentions, but either way; the better model is the one Jesus gives. This doesn't mean we shouldn't ask, rather, there is a better way to connect with God. Is our goal to be in harmony and connected to Him, or do we try to justify how we need less pain or heartache to do it?
So ask whatever you want, but He shows us a better way to get what we want and need.
His prayer isn't just a routine, but it can be if we allow it. Embrace it and allow it to draw us to Him as we seek to make a difference here.

Matt 6:4
We do favors for others all the time. We like to let them know what we did for a variety of reasons. As I prevously mentioned, letting them know can avoid duplication or wasted time. Fair enough, but it also feels good to be have it be known you did it. Argue your motives all day, it is always nice knowing your effort is appreciated, if not also credited to you. We like being unrecognized, but we also enjoy the credit. Instead of legalistically following ultra discrentionary priniples to minimize our selfish needs, just be appropriate, enjoy any appreciation that may come of your kindness, and thank God for the opportunity. Enjoy your moment and allow God His due so you both can continue to show love.