Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Jesus said to his disciples: "Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
"When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
"When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for those who are unemployed.
Those who know me often know that more often than not, I have trouble saying no. Why?
There have been times when it has been a genuine "yes" to serve or to give. Other times, it has been a false sense of duty or a feeling of not wanting to be left out. There are still other times when it has been a fear of how others would react to my saying no.
Yes, I have been a hypocrite many times, but I desire to get better. I desire to allow my "yes" to be one that isn't for show, but one that is truly genuine. Praise be to God!
Take care and God Bless.
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