PRAY IT! Mountain5

Matthew 5:33-37:  "And don’t say anything you don’t mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ and never doing it, or saying, ‘God be with you,’ and not meaning it. You don’t make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong."  (MSG)

Jesus wants utter honesty from his followers.  Can you imagine the impact it would have on our world today if the action's of the people of God were of such high integrity - that what we said and what we followed through with matched up with each other?  I'd venture to guess we would have a pretty awesome impact here on earth for Jesus.  Our actions would turn a few heads, and hopefully toward Jesus!

You see, it's very easy to look around and find "un-truth" - a few seconds of a reality TV show... a few minutes gathered around the water cooler at work... there's probably some of it to be found in the news or politics as well...

Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is calling his followers to be different.  Not just a little bit different, but strikingly so.  This is what is noticeable.  This is what is impactful.  And Jesus did come to make a noticeable impact, did he not?

Jesus' honesty is attractive.  So too, is the honesty and integrity of his followers.  Jesus' high call (it's not always easy to let our yes be a yes and no be a no...) requires his presence and power. 

PoC, as we pray today, let us ask for Jesus' help.  We cannot do it without him.  And why would we even want to try?

Dear Jesus,
Please help us be honest and truthful in word and deed.  We need you and we love you.  We want to make a noticeable impact that ultimately assists in helping draw others closer to you rather than turning them away. 
Amen.

Remember to join our all-church campaign as we Seek God for the City - 2015!  Today, we are praying for marriages, for Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, and Brazil, as well as for humility to replace our pride and complacency.

Blessings,
Pastor Celia