Today we are spending time Bible journaling in Matthew 6. (For those just joining, Hi There! Here’s a link to the explanation of POWER.) This chapter was a small beginning for me years and years ago; a teeny tiny step in the right direction towards God. It would take a couple more years for a complete reversion back to my faith but Matthew:25-34 was the beginning. I’d love to tell you it was because I came across it while reading my Bible, but I’m not even sure I owned a Bible yet, ahem? No, my introduction to the Book of Matthew came through a song, Lilies of the Field.
POWERful Bible Journaling: Matthew 6
P –Lord, I am worried for my sweet friend. You alone know what the road ahead looks like for her. Please take my worry and make me useful to her. Please grant her Your peace that passes all understanding. I don’t want her to be scared; that makes my heart heavy for her.
O –This chapter reminds me how much God pays attention to me. I don’t have to be concerned whether or not others consider me a good enough Christian, a good enough Catholic…that’s between God and me. He sees what goes on where others cannot. They can’t see my heart and mind. He can see what goes into the decisions I make regarding my dress, my parenting, my homeschooling, my marriage…everything…He sees and knows the intentions and the very real struggles other do not see.
W —vs 27…And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?
E –This verse has been with me a long time. And yet it took me a while–like a couple of years while–of being scared of dying to realize, being scared of dying was not helping me live longer. And if I wasn’t adding time to my life by worrying…was I taking time away from my life? I envision the trust of a little child…I want that trust Lord.
R –When I am afraid, I will trust in You. (Psalm 56:3) I will turn my heart and mind to You and think of a blessing instead of a fear.
Please share your POWER reflections in the comments.
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Stacy says
It is amazing that some of the same fears that you have, I also have. The fear of dying is real for me also. I worry that if I go to the doctor that he will find something wrong with me. I know that is absurd but the struggle is real. I am so blessed that I found your website and blog because I can relate to all of your posts. Sometimes I am amazed to see how God can put people in others lives as a blessing. Thank you so much for your words and blog it is a blessing to me to know others have the same feelings and fears that I do.
Jenny says
Oh goodness thank you. That fear of death is a doozy! And yes, the struggle is very real.
Deb00 says
P- dear Lord, as hard as this is some days I love starting my day out like this
O- God wants us to make sure our Actions are genuine and for His glory and he wants us to depend solely on Him. If only I could do that 24/7 how much easier my life would be. An observation I have made many time is how happy and care free those who have less are! Those who live simply, definitely the handicapped kids ( mental and physical) 1-100 years old who just live each day simplistically and even some of the homeless who come into the food kitchen giving praise to God! It says a lot to me about not worrying about tomorrow. God has it covered!!!!!
W- this chapter is chalked full of passages that stand out to me.
Mt 6:14-15 if you forgive their transgressions your Heavenly Father will firgive you. But if you do not forgive others neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.
Mt 6:20-21 store up your treasures in heaven…. For where your treasure is there also your heart will be.
Mt6:25-34 paraphrased. Do not worry about your life…. Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your lifespan?….. Your Heavenly Father knows all your needs…. Seek 1st the Kingdom of God And all these things will be given you… Do not worry about tomorrow, it will take care of itself.
E- I was about 30 when I really became acutely aware of what I was saying in the Our Father. It took me aback. For a while I. Opulent even say those words of the prayer as I realized I was basically telling God not to forgive me as I couldn’t forgive a family member for a lifetime of transgressions. A very helpful comment from a priest in confession finally got me over the hump (mountain) …. He said working on forgiveness can be like removing the sand from the seashore one pebble at a time. I still struggle with forgiveness but thankfully can say I have forgiven that family member fully.
R- Dear Lord help me to forgive all those I need to forgive on a daily basis. Help me not to wory about what tomorrow will bring but to live each day fully giving you the glory. Help me to store up treasures in heaven each day
Jenny says
I think it would be interesting to physically see a set of scales showing one side of our heavenly treasures stored and the other the earthly treasures we’ve stored–interesting and scary.
maddalena70 says
P. God come to my assistance… Lord make haste to help me!
O. It is so easy and so rewarding to “show off” your faith… praying in public or using visible actions in order obtain attention from others but it is not what God wants from us or asks us to live our faith and give signs of His exsistance… but it is so tempting to show off what you have and not who you are…
W. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
E. I live in a materialistic world where it is way more important what you have and show to others than who you are or feel… more important how you live than why you live like that… I have been often tempted to give too much attention to the way I dress or speak or do my make up than show to others how I really am.. what I feel inside… to think or eat or watch how the others think, eat or watch than act just the way I am or I want to live… just beacuse it is easier and worthwhile.
R. God help me to remember that my treasures are not those that have a price tag…
Deb00 says
We must b careful how we interpret what others do too. Praying in public is not showing off….I admire those who R not afraid to demonstrate their faith in God and His importance in their life when we live in such a heathen world. I used to b made fun of by my parents and siblings for praying before meals in public, now they join in. The same with folding hands in Mass… A priest asked us to do that long ago and it really does help me to realize when I am at Mass it is like no other place in the world. But I still have people make snide remarks to me about how people who fold their hands in church just do it for show etc. We don’t know other intentions and I would much rather see people trying than hiding their faith for the sake of not being ridiculed. Just some thoughts. God bless your day.
Jenny says
I do agree. I think many times you can tell the intent behind the person. But many times we cannot. My girls and I all veil for Mass even when visiting other parishes where it is not common. I had to give up my fears about what others thought of me. I know why we do it and if they pass a judgment on me, that is their burden, not mine.
Jenny says
Really beautiful Maddalena…“God help me to remember that my treasures are not those that have a price tag…”