My Husband Again …

I’m a hopeless translator! Well, not hopeless but definitely no good at simultaneous translation and I hate making noise in church.

So I never translate for foreign guests. However, I do often share a running written commentary with them.

So here is my husband again. Sort of…  At least as summarized by me (probably while balancing a baby on my lap.)

“The Works of God”     -  Matthew 6:1-18 

God is always watching us.

He is everywhere – except in our dark hearts. Until we are filled with His Spirit. Then we become His temple.

Then we bring God’s healing, purifying power to the world. Our presence should be a healing, purifying light in a dark world.

What is the Kingdom of God like? The rules and principles of the Kingdom are laid out in Matthew chapters 5 – 7. But the most important requisite is:   HUMILITY

Our glory should not be in clothes … or what we do.

Don’t show off in your prayers, your fasting, your gifts.

Don’t do anything for man. Do for God.

It’s about loving God.

DON’T DO THINGS FOR THE PRAISE OF MEN.

Years ago some churches ignored the poor but built extravagant sanctuaries. Yet God wants us to care for the poor.

LOVE HIM THROUGH YOUR OBEDIENCE.

Do for God, not man.

Pray for God’s ears, not to impress man.

Keep in mind that God sees our hearts….

What is true fasting? It is to share with those who have not. Read Isaiah 58:1-14.

• loose the chains of injustice
• share the necessities of life
• provide shelter for wanderers

God is preparing us for the next life and not everything can be explained in terms of this life.

Useless repetitions…  in Japan we have our equivalents of Tibetan prayer wheels. But NO! Pray from your heart!!!!

Praise Him. Put God’s interests before your own. Cast yourself on His mercy – but don’t forget God is God and you are only a (small) (wo)man. He is SO  BIG. Don’t forget to marvel that He cares for you.

These are simple things.

But we must keep them in mind.