Scripture

Matthew 5

Click here to read today’s passage on Bible Gateway

Observation

What two illustrations does Jesus use to describe the believer in the world (13-16)? What sort of behavior and attitude do these require? Did Jesus diminish the law (17-18)? What was His purpose in clarifying it here?

Application

Am I living as salt and light for those around me? Do I recognize that I am utterly incapable of attaining to Christ’s enhancement of the law, and do I rely on His saving grace as the sole source of my righteousness before God?

Prayer

Pray today’s Scripture back to God:
Dear Father in Heaven, Help me to be salt and light for those you bring into my life, that they may give You glory. father, I was already utterly incapable of keeping the letter of the law, but as Jesus spelled out the spirit of the law here, my sinfulness becomes even more apparent. Thank You for Your saving grace through faith in Christ! In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Pray to BLESS!

One good way to pray for people is to use the acronym BLESS to pray for God’s blessing on every area of their lives:

• B – BODY (physical health)
• L – Labor (their job or school)
• E – Emotions (emotional health as well as guarding against letting emotions rule)
• S – Social (relationships with family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, church, etc)
• S – Spiritual (remaining true to God and growing in Him)

Spend some time praying for the following people and ministries:

• David & MaryBeth Hollander (Cole, Marcus)
• Bob & Peggy Hoover
• Fred & Gwen Iovine
• Pat & Hannah Kelley

Ministry:

• Chrysalis Women’s Transitional Housing

CLF:

• Pray that we would be a church that is dedicated to the breaking of bread, both in the sense of being devoted to observing the Lord’s Supper, and in meeting together for meals to fellowship, to deepen bonds, to heal offenses, and to end disputes.

Community: Pray for the salvation of the lost

• Readiness to repent
• Hearts prepared to hear God’s voice
• Deep dissatisfaction and unrest with life without Him
• Godly influences

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
God raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. – 1 Corinthians 6:14 (HCSB)