{ Pearls of Wisdom }

As I was reading my daily devotion in the Journey magazine this morning it directed me to Matthew 18 for additional reading.   I "somehow" landed in Matthew 7 and at first, it was because of the verses toward the end of the chapter that speak about building our "house" (lives) on the sand or on the ROCK! But then I noticed all the highlights and notes I'd jotted down throughout Chapter 7, so I started at the beginning and I began to understand completely the why of "accidentally" being led to those 29 verses that are a part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.  He wanted me to park there for a bit and DWELL(my 2018 word)!

They speak about.....

 judging others 

(ouch, Lord)

don't throw our pearls to pigs 

(don't try to counsel those who won't listen - 
they'll throw your words right back at you and turn and attack you - 😢)

 the Golden Rule 

(treat others as I'd like to be treated)

the narrow gate

 (life is hard and we're going to be thrown all sorts of obstacles to test our faith and strengthen our endurance - 
hang in there, follow God, although the road can be difficult)

the tree and its fruit

(we're not to judge but we can certainly be fruit inspectors)

true disciples

(just because somebody is talking the talk doesn't mean they're walking the walk)

building on a solid foundation

(if we don't build our lives on God's Truth, then with each obstacle that comes along we'll collapse like a house built on sand)

response to the storm

 Matthew 7:28-29a

When Jesus had finished saying these things,

the crowds were amazed at his teaching for he taught with real authority.

God sent these verses to me on a SONday morning when I'm not feeling quite "up to snuff". I feel we all need an emotional health day to recoup and recharge so we can better deal with life. The ONLY way I'm able to do that is to get in His word, pray, listen to worship music, fill my mind and heart with goodness and pearls of truth that can only be provided by HIM!

And, just because this is one of my favorite songs and it's all about the HOPE we have in Jesus.....