Your Daily Prayer 🙏🏾 Matthew 5:44
Righteousness begins in the heart and flows into our actions.

Today's daily devotional is about the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus preaches to the masses about God's kingdom, blessing the humble and teaching about righteousness and love. The crowd's reactions vary, prompting us to consider how we respond to His words.
STORY
Bible in a Year: Sermon on the Mount
Scripture
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:3
Have you ever felt the weight of the world’s expectations?

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus turns those expectations on their head. He blesses the poor in spirit, the meek, and those who mourn, offering them God’s ultimate blessing. How does this perspective change your view of success and happiness?

As Jesus teaches, He emphasizes righteousness, prayer, and love. He challenges His listeners to live out a higher standard of righteousness, not just outwardly, but from the heart. This call to internal transformation is radical and countercultural. Are we willing to embrace this deeper righteousness in our daily lives?

Prayer is another central theme in Jesus’ sermon. He teaches the Lord’s Prayer, emphasizing simplicity, sincerity, and trust in God. How can we make our prayer life more aligned with Jesus’ teachings?

Finally, Jesus speaks about love—loving our enemies and doing good to those who hate us. This radical love is a hallmark of God’s kingdom and a direct challenge to the natural human inclination to retaliate. How can we embody this love in our interactions with others?

The crowd’s mixed reactions to Jesus' words—some amazed, others skeptical—reflect our own responses. Where do you find yourself as you listen to Jesus' teachings? Are you open to the transformative power of His words?
REFLECTION
Reflect on your own attitudes and behaviors in light of Jesus’ teachings. Are there areas in your life where you need to embrace humility and rely more on God? Consider how you can integrate the principles of the Beatitudes into your daily life.

PRAYER
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
MATTHEW 5:44
Dear Lord, as I listen to the truths in today's reading, I thank You for giving me the beatitudes of how I'm supposed to “be” in order to live a life of full abundance and freedom. As I begin to honor the way that I am called to live I thank You that as I pray to You I do not have to worry about where I am going to eat or where I am going to sleep because when I live in divine obedience to You and Your word You continually provide all that I need. Therefore, I declare that worry and fear will no longer be a part of my story, for I know that like a good parent You too desire to feed and provide for every need I have. In addition, I acknowledge that my greatest command is to Love You and to Love my neighbors as myself. With these truths fastened tight around my heart I will live at a higher level, I will serve with greater humility, and I will lead with my way of being so others may see my life and follow You Lord! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.