Matthew 7:15-29
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
How are we to know? Jacob prospered with spotted sheep. David was a little spotted and God said David was the apple of His eye because David would do what God wanted him to do. God would have His only Son come from David's descendants.
Noah had troubles after completing God's long term project. So did Moses - toward the end. Joshua or Yeshua - his name was very like Jesus' name - and he hung in there.
Hezekiah was part of the splendor of a nation remarkably and miraculously spared from becoming any part of the Assyrian Empire. He stripped the ancient gold from the Temple doors to sell.
The Proverbs of Solomon - who spent many years on the hilltops asking God to speak with him and playing his own life his own way -
Proverbs 24:12
If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?"
Paul agrees with Solomon. Even when we judge ourselves. can we be entirely right? God has given us Jesus. Paul tells us to lean upon Jesus.
John agrees with Jesus is Love. John decided that he would continue with Jesus beyond what was comfortable for him. God rewarded John with historically very long life. We know he was exiled on Patmos and Roman historians record John survived unscathed being boiled in oil - giving the Coliseum something to think about for a long time. John in old age, history records, was given the ability to be engage in life to a large degree in the 2nd century A.D. John was continuing to make disciples who were carrying the faith and ar the go to Biblical studies of the 2nd Century and his disciple Polycarpus was still in Jesus Christ and leaving Papyrus to the 3rd Century. So - following Jesus is to make us lean forward and try for Father God's love to go forth.
Bad lamb. Balaam was asked by Moab to curse the Children of Israel and God swept in and changed that to be a blessing.
Deuteronomy 23:5
However, the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam but turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you.
This is a stunning thing to say.
God is at work to sweep together all things to work together for good for those who Love the Lord.
The Expectation of God. Saying I know Father God, I believe Him, I trust Him.
Being honest about sin. Like the people of the Scriptures. Looking in Glad Expectation of God and the signs of our Living Father God.
President of Baylor University, Ken Starr sent out an email saying that Baylor University takes a stand against Sexual Violence. Saying Baylor had an incident in the athlete student population. We can take a moment when we get an email like this to agree with Ken Starr and pray for our Nation where this happens to one in six men in the USA. Christians believe God hears and answers our prayers for our loved ones, friends and the Nation. This is a sign to pray. Prayer makes us braver. Bravery defeats "situations."
Matthew Perry was in the news 2 days ago saying he has benefited from his public announcements concerning his substance abuse troubles. Matthew says he is an award winning alcoholic and with the publicity of his troubles, he has opened Perry House (his own former house) and supports Phoenix House. “I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my life and a lot of wonderful accolades,” he told THR, “but the best thing about me is that if an alcoholic comes up to me and says, ‘Will you help me stop drinking?’ I will say, ‘Yes. I know how to do that.’”
Matthew Perry was in a movie about Pro-Life in 1997 called "Fools Rush In" part of the the main characters salvation was looking for the signs God provides. When we trust God to be part of our lives - seeking Him - HE IS!!!
Proverbs 8:17
I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
John 6
68 Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. 69 "We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God."…
Father God, We call upon You to cover us in the Name of Jesus the Lord. Keep us in You, Father God, the ones we love, our friends, neighbors, co-workers and Church. Keep our States and Nation in You, Jesus. Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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