Evening Scripture

Matthew, Chapter 6

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you — you of little faith?

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Evening Reflection

This is one of those chapters in the Bible that stops me in my tracks. Currently, I am walking through a season where hope feels extremely fragile and each day I am left questioning, “What if?” I have zero control of the outcome and if I am completely honest, fear, anxiety, and worry pulse through my body. This is not the way of peace and not the way Jesus intends for his believers to live.

What parts of your life are you worried about? Is food or body image a god in your life? Do clothes (or a new home, new car, or new trend) have a grip on your attention?

We want assurance. We want to know our needs will be met and our hopes fulfilled. Matthew 6:26 declares, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Isn’t it true? A bird chirps, gathers, flies, builds, and yet, doesn’t wonder if their needs will be met.

Sometimes worry feels like we are doing something in a situation where we feel helpless. Doesn’t choosing joy feel better to carry than worry and fear? I’m preaching to myself, friends. So how do we choose joy and peace in our lives tonight?

First, we obey Jesus. We pray and posture our hearts to Him and declare, “God, I want what is best for you. I trust you with my life and the things I am carrying and believe you will work all things together for the good of those who love you.”

Second, we lean into verse 34. Jesus acknowledges today has trouble. Can we surrender the day to Him? What you are carrying is hard but you aren’t asked to carry it alone. Let’s pray, “Father, you are good and you know the stress, tension, and worries of my heart. You care. Walk with me and lighten the load. I surrender to you tonight.”

Finally, we remember there is a real enemy of our souls who wants to kill, steal, and destroy our peace (John 10:10). Not tonight, devil! Christ came to give abundant life! We must remember to be on guard of the enemy’s tactics and realize the spiritual warfare we are facing each day.

Remember, your Father in heaven loves you dearly and wants you to experience true freedom and peace. He will absolutely provide what you need, when you need it. You will be taken care of and His good plans for your life will prevail. Breathe easy tonight, for He is in control!

Evening Prayer

Father,

The fear, the worry, and the anxiety are frying my nervous system. This isn’t how you want me to live. You want me to walk in freedom, peace, and abundant life. That is hard to do when I feel so intertwined in anxiety.

I pray you would break the bondage of fear that my heart, mind, and body have silently agreed to. I pray for healing in my heart and I surrender the outcome to you. I invite your Holy Spirit to work this part of my story for your good and seek your Kingdom and your will in my life. I am a living sacrifice and all I have, all I love, and all that I desire to do belongs to you and your Lordship in my life. Be near and walk with me. When fear starts to creep in, nudge my heart to release it in the name of Jesus.

Amen.

Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.

UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Evening Scripture
Matthew, Chapter 6
Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
This, then, is how you should pray: &ldquo;Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.&rdquo;
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you &mdash; you of little faith?
So do not worry, saying, &lsquo;What shall we eat?&rsquo; or &lsquo;What shall we drink?&rsquo; or &lsquo;What shall we wear?&rsquo; For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Evening Reflection
This is one of those chapters in the Bible that stops me in my tracks. Currently, I am walking through a season where hope feels extremely fragile and each day I am left questioning, &ldquo;What if?&rdquo; I have zero control of the outcome and if I am completely honest, fear, anxiety, and worry pulse through my body. This is not the way of peace and not the way Jesus intends for his believers to live.
What parts of your life are you worried about? Is food or body image a god in your life? Do clothes (or a new home, new car, or new trend) have a grip on your attention?
We want assurance. We want to know our needs will be met and our hopes fulfilled. <a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/6-26.html">Matthew 6:26</a> declares, &ldquo;Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?&rdquo; Isn&rsquo;t it true? A bird chirps, gathers, flies, builds, and yet, doesn&rsquo;t wonder if their needs will be met.
Sometimes worry feels like we are doing something in a situation where we feel helpless. Doesn&rsquo;t choosing joy feel better to carry than worry and fear? I&rsquo;m preaching to myself, friends. So how do we choose joy and peace in our lives tonight?
First, we obey Jesus. We pray and posture our hearts to Him and declare, &ldquo;God, I want what is best for you. I trust you with my life and the things I am carrying and believe you will work all things together for the good of those who love you.&rdquo;
Second, we lean into verse 34. Jesus acknowledges today has trouble. Can we surrender the day to Him? What you are carrying is hard but you aren&rsquo;t asked to carry it alone. Let&rsquo;s pray, &ldquo;Father, you are good and you know the stress, tension, and worries of my heart. You care. Walk with me and lighten the load. I surrender to you tonight.&rdquo;
Finally, we remember there is a real enemy of our souls who wants to kill, steal, and destroy our peace (<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/john/10-10.html">John 10:10</a>). Not tonight, devil! Christ came to give abundant life! We must remember to be on guard of the enemy&rsquo;s tactics and realize the spiritual warfare we are facing each day.
Remember, your Father in heaven loves you dearly and wants you to experience true freedom and peace. He will absolutely provide what you need, when you need it. You will be taken care of and His good plans for your life will prevail. Breathe easy tonight, for He is in control!
Evening Prayer
Father,
The fear, the worry, and the anxiety are frying my nervous system. This isn&rsquo;t how you want me to live. You want me to walk in freedom, peace, and abundant life. That is hard to do when I feel so intertwined in anxiety.
I pray you would break the bondage of fear that my heart, mind, and body have silently agreed to. I pray for healing in my heart and I surrender the outcome to you. I invite your Holy Spirit to work this part of my story for your good and seek your Kingdom and your will in my life. I am a living sacrifice and all I have, all I love, and all that I desire to do belongs to you and your Lordship in my life. Be near and walk with me. When fear starts to creep in, nudge my heart to release it in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
Click to Listen to Signs of Life: <a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was&mdash;and is&mdash;an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.
<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>

Your Nightly Scripture — 365-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God’s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.

Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ 

Your Nightly Scripture &mdash; 365-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God&rsquo;s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.
Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.
Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/</a>&nbsp;

Your Nightly Scripture

Trusting God to Provide What I Need (Matthew 6)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/2484a53f-ff3b-474f-b81f-b4db00c6ea48/transcript