O - Wise people build their house on a firm foundation. When the rain and winds come and beat against the house it does not fall. Wise people hear the words of Jesus, the words of God in the pages of Scripture and actually do what it says. They stand firm on God's word. When hard times and testing comes, they don't fall.
A - I must hear the words of Jesus! Reading God's word and reflecting on it needs to be a continued daily habit. This is crucial if I am to stand in the tough times, in the hard times. But more than this, I need to do what it says. I need to respond with my mind and my feet! I feel challenged today to actually help more and more people hear your words and put them into practice. In the way others have helped me, I want to help others hear your word and act everyday.
Today I will spend time specifically thinking about how I can, how we as a church can, help people hear & do more and more.
P - Father, thank-you for your Word. You have helped me stand through so many tough, difficult and stormy times. I promise never to let your word depart from my hearing. I will also seek to act on whatever you tell me to do by you grace. Amen.
Daily Reading -Matthew 6-7
I am amazed at how God is teaching me in this study the same line of thinking. Each day builds on the last. And I am not following a daily reading guide with comments. I praise God for helping me make time to meet with Him each day. Be encouraged!!
ReplyDeleteHi Rose, It's great to read together and share what we are each hearing God saying to us through the Bible. Thanks for your encouragement!!
ReplyDeleteMatthew 7:24 ALL who listen to My words and follows them are wise. (v 26)-But those who hear My instuctions and ignore them are foolish.
ReplyDeleteYou created me Father, You know me inside and out. You know what i'll do today- You even know what i'll say before I say it! You bought me back to life and I owe everything I am to You. I want to please God with all my heart, to bring Him pleaseure through this life He's restored. If I hear His words and do what He says- I am wise... If I don't- I am foolish! I wanna be like the wise man who built his home on a strong foundation, so when i go through hard times- as we all do- I remain standing in awe of Him- who is strong through my own human weakness. Father You said- " Be still... and know that 'I' am God". Help me not to put 'busy-ness' at first place in my life, falsely believing that it is productive. Help me do all things in balance, knowing that just as Mary and Martha had two different heart attitudes towards every day moments- may mine be to know You and bow before You, listening firstly each day for Your voice- on instructions 'how to live' and by Your grace in me, may I do all You tell me to- for Your pleasure and glory. You are amazing.
A Radical Perspective
ReplyDeleteS - "In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" Matthew 7:12
O - Its so easy to overlook the significance and the startling reality of this scripture. In everything. These words are a directive to cause me to be considerate of the "other", at all times, in all places, in every task, in every action, thought and attitude. In truth, the person I am most concerned about at all times - in everything is me!. If i am totally honest it is "I" who is most precious. It is "I" who I perceive through the lens of my feelings, my experience, my assessments, my comfort. What a radical perspective - that if I were to take that indulgent preciousness I have about myself, and consider others in the same way - in everything - what a difference this world would be. What a world! No wonder Jesus Christ is so radical.
A - To become more aware of my thought life and perspective when I am with others. How are they feeling? What are they experiencing? How can I serve them better?
P - Jesus, help me to continue to die to self and be more and more aware of other people and their lives. Amen. Gayle Hill
DO NOT WORRY!
ReplyDeleteMatthew 6:27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tommorw will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Jesus spoke with authority - the people were amazed - Jesus' authority was unlike those teachers of the Law. He was so different.
I am reminded that our focus is to be on Jesus - that our heavenly Father cares for us more than the birds of the field. He will clothe, feed and quench our thirst. He KNOWS that we need them.
I need to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU AS WELL.
Thank you Jesus that I can place my life in your hands, Thank you Jesus that you know my needs and that you provide for me. All the days of my life.
Amen
Matthew 6 & 7 Watch your motives.
ReplyDeleteS~ Matt 7:21 Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
O~ This comes as a warning. We need to be radically changed inner and outwardly. God knows and decides our eternal destiny. We cannot judge or say who is going to heaven or not. We need to be in tune with our attitudes and motives of why we do what we do or what we are doing. This passage is in context with being fruitful and bearing ‘good’ fruit.
A~ Keep check daily of my motives and attitudes to what I am doing. Read God’s word daily. Spend time listening and being in His presence. Following His will, not my own agenda.
P~ Father God, help me to be transparent in my motives and my work with you. Help me to spend time with you daily in my busy life. Amen.