The One Year Bible New Testament for New Beginnings by DaySpring NLT, Filament Enabled - Book - Page 29
9
E NCOU R AG E M E N T
Jesus calls us to live in a radically different way from the rest of the world. His way
may also be radically different from our old lives. It requires a whole new mindset, a
new perspective, a new approach. Jesus uses some dramatic examples to stress how
important this is.
If Jesus’ call to “be perfect” (Matthew 5:48) feels impossible, that’s because it is—
without him. We need his mercy, grace, and forgiveness for all our failures and mistakes. The good news is that his mercy is renewed daily, his grace never runs out, and
his forgiveness is free. It’s all ours for the asking—as often as we need it. And don’t we
always need it?
More good news: The Greek word translated here as perfect also means “mature,
fully developed, whole, complete.” That’s the journey Jesus is leading us on and the
process he’s begun by giving us this new beginning.
day 7 | MATTH EW 6:1-24
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“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward
from your Father in heaven. 2When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—
blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the
truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3But when you give to someone in need,
don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4Give your gifts in private, and your
Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
5
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the
synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.
6
But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private.
Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
7
“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered
merely by repeating their words again and again. 8Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly
what you need even before you ask him! 9Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
10
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
11
Give us today the food we need,
12
and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
13
And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.
