Episode 182: Matthew 7

Today's meditation is on Matthew Chapter 7

I do not criticize or show bias toward others. I know that I will be judged by the same standard that I use to judge others. So, when it is necessary for me to use judgment and discern right from wrong, I use God's Word as the standard. I do my best to treat others fairly, for I know that most people will treat me the way I treat them. 

I do not focus on the flaw in someone else's life and fail to notice the glaring flaws of my own. For I have enough of my own to keep me busy. I work on correcting my own failings and blind spots first, and then if I am able to help someone else, I will. 

I use wisdom in sharing revelation, and don't give holy things to the depraved. It would be like giving pearls to swine. They would just trample them and turn and attack me. 

My Father, God, is generous. I know that if there is anything I need, all I have to do is ask, and he will give me what I ask for. When I seek, I discover what I'm looking for. And when I knock, he opens doors that no man can shut. God treats all of his children the same. Everyone who asks persistently, receives. Every persistent seeker, discovers what he longs for. And everyone who knocks persistently will one day find an open door.

It makes perfect sense. Even in the natural, if a child asks his father for a loaf of bread, he won't be given a stone. And if he asks for a fish, he won't be given a poisonous snake. If we humans, with all of our faults and failings, know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more ready is Father God to give wonderful gifts when his children ask.

The law of Moses in a nutshell is that I should do for others what I want them to do for me. 

Yet, sometimes it's easier said than done. The Kingdom Realm can be entered only through the narrow gate. But the highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide enough for all the multitudes who choose its easy way. Oh, but what wonders are mine when I find the Gateway to the abundant, God-kind of life. It is small, and the road is narrow, but there is no other path I would rather take.

I am constantly on my guard against false teachers who come disguised as harmless sheep, appearing to be genuine. On the inside, they are like wild, ravenous wolves. But I can spot them by the way they act, just as I can identify a tree by its fruit. I don't ever confuse grapevines with thorn bushes or figs with thistles. Because I can quickly identify different kinds of fruit trees by examining their fruit. A variety that produces delicious fruit never produces an inedible kind. And a tree producing an inedible kind can’t produce what is good. So the trees having the inedible fruit are chopped down and thrown on the fire. I can identify a person the same way, by the fruit of their lives and ministries.

I know that not everyone who sounds religious is really godly. And though some people may refer to Jesus as "Lord", they still won’t get to heaven. For the decisive question is whether they obey Father God in heaven. At the Judgment, many will say to Jesus, ‘Lord, Lord, we told others about you and used your name to cast out demons and to do many other great miracles.’ But he will reply, ‘You have never been mine. Go away, for your deeds are evil.’

So, I listen to Jesus's instructions and apply them to my life. Like a person who builds a house on an unshakable foundation. And even though the rain comes in torrents, and the floods rise and the storm winds beat against the house, it won’t collapse, for it is built on rock.

But those who hear Jesus's instructions and ignore them are foolish. They are like a man who builds his house on sand. And when the rains and floods come, and storm winds beat against his house, it collapses and is swept away.

I will build my life on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ, and that foundation will allow me to weather any storm. 

Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.

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