In today’s episode of Known and Loved we continue our series, A Secret Life, based on the teachings of Jesus in Matthew chapter 6. In this series we are examining the question: How do we deepen our relationship with God and gain security in the truth that we are known and loved by him? We search for the answers to that question in this episode by examining the idea of pursuing a Secret life with God through our giving. Today we find that transforming lives comes from all aspects of giving. God doesn’t just want us to throw our money at things. He wants us to throw our lives and our hearts in with people. That means people will see it. The heart of Secret Giving is not that no one ever sees. It’s that you’re motivation isn’t in the being “seen.”

Today we aim to create the ambiance of The Secret Life. The goal is not to create a check-list, but rather to reorient our hearts. In this episode we unpack a couple of classics in literature that help illustrate how to motivate our hearts toward the pursuit of a Secret Life with God. In unpacking these great works of literature we will see reflections of the gospel that will help orient our hearts toward Jesus. In John 15:9 Jesus says: "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” Jesus says “I love you like God loves you. Stay in relationship with me, stay close to me, stay wrapped in my love.” He is saying: I treasure you! Treasure me! I am the only treasure that can’t be devalued! I love you above all else! Love me above all else! I call you precious, you are my own, make me your own! I am your One True treasure, your one true friend and your one true love!

In today’s episode of Known and Loved we begin a new series called A Secret Life based on the teachings of Jesus in Matthew chapter 6 on the spiritual disciplines of giving, praying and fasting. In this series we will be examining the question: How do we deepen our relationship with God and find security in the truth that we are known and loved by him? We will explore the answer to this question as we look at the pursuit of a secret life with God. Today we find that in Matthew 6 Jesus is not giving us a list of “things to do” so that we can “get rewards.” He is issuing an invitation. This invitation is addressed specifically to you. It is an invitation for you to get alone with God. It is an invitation to intimacy, to go into the Secret Place of your heart with Him. It is in the Secret Place, in pursuit of A Secret Life that you come to know and love Jesus and grow to understand how deeply you are known and loved by Him.