The Sermon on the Mount | Day 11 of 21

To begin with Day 1 of our Sermon on the Mount series, go back to our Daily Scripture post for August 9, 2026.

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

— Matthew 6:14–15 (WEB)

Immediately after teaching the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus returns to one particular line: “Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.”

Receiving mercy and extending mercy cannot be separated. We cannot sincerely ask God to release us from every debt while insisting that another person must remain permanently defined by what they owe us.

Forgiveness does not mean calling evil good, denying that harm occurred, or protecting someone from appropriate consequences. It does not automatically restore trust or require reconciliation with someone who remains unsafe. Trust may need to be rebuilt, and sometimes wise boundaries must remain.

Forgiveness means surrendering our claim to personal revenge and placing judgment in God’s hands. It can be a decision we must bring back to God repeatedly as anger, grief, and painful memories resurface.

Jesus’ words are difficult because forgiveness is difficult. But those who live by God’s mercy are called to let that mercy change how they hold the debts of others.

Is there a hurt you need to begin releasing to God, even if forgiveness remains a long process?

The Sermon on the Mount | Day 10 of 21

To begin with Day 1 of our Sermon on the Mount series, go back to our Daily Scripture post for August 9, 2026.

“Pray like this:

“‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’”

— Matthew 6:9–13 (WEB)

After warning his listeners against performative and empty prayer, Jesus gives them a pattern for prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer begins with God: his holiness, his kingdom, and his will. It then brings the ordinary needs of human life before him: today’s food, forgiveness, temptation, and protection.

Jesus does not teach us to pretend that physical needs are beneath spiritual people. Daily bread belongs in prayer. So do strained relationships, moral failures, dangerous temptations, and the need for help.

The repeated words “our,” “us,” and “we” matter, too. Even when we pray this prayer alone, Jesus reminds us that we belong to a larger community. We ask not only for my bread, my forgiveness, and my protection, but for ours.

This prayer gives us words when we do not know what to say, but it also gives shape to all our other prayers. We come to God as our Father, seek his purposes before our preferences, trust him with today, extend the mercy we have received, and acknowledge that we need his help.

Which part of the Lord’s Prayer most closely reflects what you need from God today?

The Sermon on the Mount | Day 9 of 21

To begin with Day 1 of our Sermon on the Mount series, go back to our Daily Scripture post for August 9, 2026.

“When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward.

“But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

“In praying, don’t use vain repetitions as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him.”

— Matthew 6:5–8 (WEB)

Yesterday, Jesus warned against giving for an audience. Today, he applies the same principle to prayer.

Prayer can become another way of performing spirituality. We may worry about sounding eloquent, using the right religious words, praying for the right length of time, or impressing the people listening.

But private prayer removes the audience. Behind a closed door, there is nobody to impress and nothing to prove. There is only a person speaking honestly with a Father who already knows what they need.

Jesus’ warning against “vain repetitions” does not mean we can never repeat a prayer. Jesus himself repeated a prayer in Gethsemane. The issue is the belief that enough words, said in the right way, will force God to listen.

We do not need to persuade God to notice us. Prayer begins with the assurance that he already sees us and already knows.

When you pray, do you find it easier to speak honestly to God or to search for the “right” words?

The Sermon on the Mount | Day 8 of 21

To begin with Day 1 of our Sermon on the Mount series, go back to our Daily Scripture post for August 9, 2026.

“Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

“Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does, so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

— Matthew 6:1–4 (WEB)

Matthew 6 begins with a warning about doing good things for the wrong audience.

Jesus assumes that his followers will give to people in need. His concern is not whether they give, but whether generosity has become a performance designed to earn admiration.

Public recognition is not always wrong. Sometimes charitable work must be discussed openly so that others can participate or resources can be managed responsibly. The deeper question is whose approval we are seeking. Would we still give if nobody knew? Would we still help if there were no photograph, announcement, thank-you, or story to tell afterward?

Some of the most sincere acts of faithfulness happen quietly. They may never be noticed by a congregation, shared online, or acknowledged by the person who benefited. But Jesus reminds us that hidden goodness is never hidden from God.

What is one good thing you could do this week without making sure anyone knows you did it?

The Sermon on the Mount | Day 7 of 21

To begin with Day 1 of our Sermon on the Mount series, go back to our Daily Scripture post for August 9, 2026.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.

“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

— Matthew 5:43–48 (WEB)

Loving people who love us is natural. Jesus asks his followers to do something far more difficult: refuse to let another person’s hostility determine whom we are willing to love.

Enemy-love does not mean pretending that evil is good. It does not require trusting someone who remains dangerous, removing necessary boundaries, or returning to an abusive relationship. Jesus is not asking us to abandon wisdom or justice.

He is asking us to reject hatred as our response. We can pray for someone without giving them access to us. We can desire their repentance and restoration without minimizing the harm they caused. We can refuse revenge while still pursuing safety and accountability.

God sends sunlight and rain upon people we consider deserving and undeserving alike. When we extend mercy beyond the people who are easy to love, we begin to reflect something of his character.

What might loving an enemy look like in practice while still maintaining wise and necessary boundaries?

The Sermon on the Mount | Day 6 of 21

To begin with Day 1 of our Sermon on the Mount series, go back to our Daily Scripture post for August 9, 2026.

“Again you have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,’ but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.”

— Matthew 5:33–42 (WEB)

Jesus describes a life that does not depend on manipulation, exaggerated promises, or retaliation.

Our words should be trustworthy enough that a simple “yes” or “no” is meaningful. We should not need elaborate vows to convince people that this time we are telling the truth.

Jesus then turns to the ways we respond when someone wrongs or imposes upon us. Our natural impulse may be to strike back, embarrass them, or make sure they suffer as much as we did. Jesus calls his followers to interrupt that cycle. We do not have to let another person’s behavior determine what kind of person we become.

Turning the other cheek does not mean pretending abuse is acceptable, remaining in danger, or refusing appropriate justice. It does mean relinquishing revenge. Jesus invites us to respond with integrity and unexpected generosity rather than allowing hostility to reproduce itself through us.

Which is more difficult for you: giving a clear and honest answer, or refusing to retaliate when you have been wronged?

The Sermon on the Mount | Day 5 of 21

To begin with Day 1 of our Sermon on the Mount series, go back to our Daily Scripture post for August 9, 2026.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’ but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.

“If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.

“It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,’ but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.”

— Matthew 5:27–32 (WEB)

Jesus continues moving beyond outward rule-keeping and into the heart.

Faithfulness is not merely avoiding the final act of adultery. Jesus asks us to examine how we look at people, what desires we deliberately nurture, and whether we treat another human being as someone made in God’s image or as an object for our consumption.

His severe language about the eye and hand emphasizes that patterns leading us toward sin should not be managed casually. Jesus is not commanding self-harm; he is calling for decisive action. Sometimes faithfulness requires changing our habits, boundaries, entertainment, conversations, or access before a destructive pattern grows further.

Jesus then addresses divorce in a culture where a woman could be dismissed and left socially and economically vulnerable. Whatever our own histories may contain, this passage should not be used to shame divorced people or pressure someone to remain in danger. It does reveal how seriously Jesus regards covenant faithfulness and the harm caused when people are treated as disposable.

Is there a habit, boundary, or pattern of thought that you need to take more seriously before it causes greater harm?

The Sermon on the Mount | Day 4 of 21

To begin with Day 1 of our Sermon on the Mount series, go back to our Daily Scripture post for August 9, 2026.

“You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.

“If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are with him on the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison. Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there, until you have paid the last penny.”

— Matthew 5:21–26 (WEB)

Most of us can read “You shall not murder” and feel reasonably confident that we have obeyed it. Jesus does not allow us to stop there.

He turns our attention toward the anger, contempt, and broken relationships that can grow within us long before violence ever occurs. Words intended to diminish another person matter. Resentment we continually nurture matters. Jesus cares not only about the harm our hands commit, but also about what our hearts are becoming.

He even describes reconciliation as so important that someone should pause a religious act to pursue it. Worship cannot be separated from how we treat other people.

Reconciliation is not always possible, and this passage does not require someone to return to an unsafe relationship. But where we have caused harm, allowed contempt to grow, or stubbornly refused to make peace, Jesus calls us to take the first step seriously.

Is there a relationship in which God may be asking you to release contempt, acknowledge harm, or take a healthy step toward peace?

The Sermon on the Mount | Day 3 of 21

To begin with Day 1 of our Sermon on the Mount series, go back to our Daily Scripture post for August 9, 2026.

“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill. For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.

Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.”

— Matthew 5:17–20 (WEB)

Jesus did not arrive to discard everything God had already revealed. He came to bring it to its intended fulfillment.

That matters because Jesus’ teaching is not a shortcut around obedience. He immediately tells his listeners that their righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees—people known for taking religious rules very seriously.

But throughout the rest of Matthew 5, Jesus shows us what he means. Righteousness is not merely avoiding murder while nurturing anger, avoiding adultery while feeding lust, or making promises that sound technically acceptable. God is concerned with what is happening inside us, too.

Jesus calls us beyond outward rule-keeping and into lives genuinely transformed by love for God and others.

Is there an area of your faith that is easier to practice outwardly than to embrace inwardly?

The Sermon on the Mount | Day 2 of 21

To begin with Day 1 of our Sermon on the Mount series, go back to our Daily Scripture post for August 9, 2026.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.

You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

— Matthew 5:13–16 (WEB)

Salt and light are both ordinary things that quietly change everything around them.

Salt does not need to announce itself to affect the flavor of a meal. A lamp does not call attention to itself; it simply helps everyone in the room see. In the same way, Jesus tells his followers to live so that their presence makes a real difference.

But the purpose is not to make people admire us. Jesus says our good works should lead people to glorify our Father in heaven. Christian influence is not about building a reputation for ourselves. It is about living with enough love, integrity, mercy, and courage that something of God becomes visible through us.

Where might God be asking you to quietly bring light into someone else’s life?

The Sermon on the Mount | Day 1 of 21

For the next three weeks, we are going to walk through the Sermon on the Mount together. Matthew 5–7 contains some of Jesus’ best-known teachings—but familiarity can make it easy to miss how challenging they really are.

Jesus begins not with a list of commands, but with a description of the people he calls blessed.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the gentle,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

— Matthew 5:3–12 (WEB)

Jesus’ list of blessed people does not sound much like the world’s list of successful people.

He names the grieving, the gentle, the merciful, the persecuted, and those who know their spiritual need. These are not necessarily people whose lives look fortunate from the outside. Yet Jesus says the kingdom belongs to them, God sees them, and their present circumstances are not the end of their story.

The Sermon on the Mount begins by overturning our assumptions about who is doing well. Before Jesus tells us how to live, he shows us that God’s favor is not reserved for the powerful, impressive, comfortable, or admired.

Which of the Beatitudes feels most meaningful—or most challenging—to you today?

“I rise before dawn and cry for help.
I put my hope in your words.”
— Psalm 119:147 (WEB)

The psalmist does not begin the day feeling peaceful and composed. He begins by crying for help.

Sometimes we imagine that we need to settle ourselves before opening the Bible. But Scripture is not only for the moments when our faith feels strong. We can come worried, tired, confused, or desperate. We do not have to manufacture hope before approaching God. We can place our hope in his words while we are still asking for help.

When life feels uncertain, is there a particular verse or passage you return to for hope?

>

We often assume that becoming stronger means trying harder, moving faster, or finally getting everything under control.

But this verse describes a different kind of strength. It comes through returning to God, resting in Him, becoming quiet, and trusting Him.

Quietness is not the same as giving up. Rest is not laziness. Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is stop scrambling long enough to remember that God is still God, even when we do not yet know what happens next.

Where might God be inviting you to stop striving and trust Him today?

>

There are moments when we genuinely do not know what to do. We can analyze every possibility, ask everyone for advice, and still feel completely outmatched by what is in front of us.

King Jehoshaphat’s prayer did not pretend that he had a plan. He admitted that the people were powerless and uncertain—but he did know where to look. Faith does not always mean knowing the next step. Sometimes it simply means keeping our eyes on God while we wait for Him to show us.

Is there an area of your life where you need to pray, “I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on you”?

“Let us search and try our ways,
and turn again to Yahweh.”
— Lamentations 3:40

The beginning of a new month gives us a natural moment to pause and look honestly at the direction we are going. Not with shame, and not because we need to reinvent our entire lives—but because small course corrections matter.

Is there a habit, attitude, distraction, or worry that has been quietly pulling your attention away from God? We can notice it, bring it to Him, and turn toward Him again. Returning to God does not have to be dramatic. Sometimes it begins by simply opening the Bible today.

As August begins, is there one small way you would like to turn your attention back toward God?

Share your prayer requests here for the month of August.

You are welcome to ask for prayer, encouragement, Scripture, or support. You can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable sharing.

A few gentle reminders for this thread:

Please do not share private personal details about someone else without permission.

Please do not post cash apps, donation links, emergency fundraising requests, or personal money requests here.

Please be kind and careful when responding to others. Sometimes the most helpful thing we can say is simply, “I’m praying for you.”

If you feel comfortable, you can also come back later in the month and share an update or a praise report.

How can we pray for you this month?

“But you be strong, and don’t let your hands be slack; for your work will be rewarded.”
— 2 Chronicles 15:7 WEB

The end of a month can make us notice everything we did not finish, every habit we struggled to maintain, and every prayer that still seems unanswered.

But God’s encouragement is not to panic or give up. It is simply to remain strong and keep our hands from becoming discouraged. Faithfulness does not always produce immediate results, but the work we do with God is never meaningless.

As July ends, we do not need a perfect record. We only need the courage to keep going.

What is one good thing you want to continue faithfully into the new month?