Matthew 6:4,6,18

"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."

"[Jesus taught his disciples, "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...."

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 6:6 -- 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.

How do you honor a servant who is not trying to be noticed? Phil Ware talks about a university honoring students for their acts of service and it leads him to wonder how we honor God's servants today.

"Dear Disciple, I have a question: Why are you doing spiritual things? Are you trying to impress someone and prove you are religious? Are you trying....."

"[Jesus continued:] "When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can....."

Are humans that predictable? Are people really so selfish? Do we nearly always pursue some payoff or reward in every situation? Phil Ware writes out of a quiet time study of Matthew 6 and the memory of the crass motivation often behind our behaviors, even our most religious behaviors.

Doesn't my gift count? Cathy Messecar confesses her struggle to make giving something that honors God and not herself and she talks about the Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive.

"When you pray, go to your room and close the door. Pray privately to your Father who is with you. Your Father sees what you do in private. He will..."

"[Jesus continued:] "When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do — blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention..."

"[Jesus continued:] "And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will..."

So why do we discount what the Lord does through us? Phil Ware reminds us that nothing we do in the Lord's name is insignificant, unimportant, or forgotten by God who loves us and remembers and rewards us for what we do.

What can I do that really matters to the Kingdom of God? Phil Ware begins a short series on Untold Stories from the Bible and shares the story of Onesiphorus refreshing Paul while he was in prison.

"[Jesus warned his disciples,] "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in..."

What are you willing to do that only God knows? The greatest is often not the one we think is most important, but the one who serves with the most selfless heart.

Why is it so hard to do things quietly and without drawing attention to ourselves Tom Norvell reminds us that true piety is about quiet, anonymous, kind acts of service and generosity for others done to honor God and not ourselves.

What in the world is that sound? Phil Ware looks back on an old reel-to-reel recording and editing session and reflects how he could sure use that same kind of thing in his life!

How do you honor a servant who is not trying to be noticed but simply trying to do good things for others? Phil Ware talks about a university honoring students for their acts of service and it leads him to wonder how we honor God's servants today.

For many, the added ending is not a good thing, and it is certainly NOT a 'Jesus thing'! Phil Ware with Doug Peters help us finish our study of The Lord's Prayer and focus on how it points us to the 'coolest" Father of all.

How honest are you? Let's make sure our words are true and fair and honest, completely.

How can we tune our hearts to the vibe of heaven? Phil Ware continues his series of thoughts on The Jesus Vibe and this time he shares how the Lord's Prayer tunes our hearts to living the life of the Jesus Vibe.

Are you really hungry for God? Fasting is a way to draw closer to God.

Prayer becomes a tuning fork that helps us sing the song of God's magnificence with both holy praise as well as genuine concern for the people in our world. Phil Ware continues his series of thoughts on living as a disciple that is JesuShaped and focuses on how the Lord's Prayer tunes our hearts to living the JesuShaped life.

Growing in prayer, feeling a connection with the Father, and being formed to be a useful vessel for Jesus to use to bless others is a journey. Phil Ware, with the help of Chad Higgins, continues his series on Lord Teach Us to Pray focusing on learning from Jesus.

I feel like I am launching my prayers upward, as if I was shooting bbs toward heaven, only to have them hit a metal ceiling and fall at my feet, mocking me with their ineffectiveness! Phil Ware provides a host of resources on prayer and how to grow our prayer lives.

Prayer can be an incredible blessing for us as God's children. However, prayer can also feel frustrating and bewildering to many who are trying to follow Jesus. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to glorify God as we remember that prayer is about relationship and Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to help us know our hearts are heard.