Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Prayers and Alms

This morning we talked about Matthew 6:1-18. I was glad we did because I have been meditating on it for a few months now and it is where the name of this blog page (AMPLIFIED) comes from.
This passage talks about what heart attitude should be when giving alms (or giving charitable deeds) and when praying.
There we can find two ways to give and pray: as a hypocrite, or in genuine love for God and people.
The word hypocrite here means an ACTOR. That's pretty serious! Its like walking around with a mask playing a role one was never intended to play; its like living a total lie.
The other one is with a genuine heart that fears God and loves.
If we seek to do good and relate to God in the right way, we are promised to receive a reward in the public.
I read about a man who I believe was a good example of giving and praying with the right heart, and he was rewarded greatly for it. Cornelius was a devout man, who feared God, gave generously to people, and prayed to God always (Acts 10:1-4).
He had all the right attitudes when giving and praying; he pleased God so much that He sent an angel to let him know. The angel said: "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God." (v4.)
I want my prayers to go up as a memorial to God! I am constantly challenged to give even in my need and to pray in great weakness and disappointment.
I want God to reward me when I seek Him with my whole heart. Like Ruth, I am seeking a full reward from the God of Israel (Ruth 2:12).

Video in Spanish for Facebook Group Agua de Coco Con Joel Castro