Luke 6: 46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?’” V 49 “But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”
Dear God,
Thank You for every word that proceeds from Your mouth and the inspiration given to the scribes and prophets. Today I have read another account from the disciple Luke, of the words and actions of Jesus. As always the total love of Jesus, for mankind comes through. Through the Holy Spirit I can be filled with love and be taught to love – even to those who treat me badly, whether they are my friend/s or not. I too often need to remind myself of this promise, because I regularly depart from the course of love.
I (we) can in the strength of prayer and the Holy Spirit, react lovingly when any wrong is done or said to us , Luke 6: 31 “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” When we are content to stay as we are, without praying to be filled with Your love, we often look for recognition and credit for our loving words and actions and ask that they be returned back to us in kind. This was not the way of Jesus, whom I wish to follow closely. I have much to learn and progress to make in most of these areas. Please forgive me and be my strength and power to follow the words and life of Jesus.
Another example of how easy it is to slip away from following the way of Jesus, is given in V 37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
I can become discouraged because so often I do not do the things I should, as a practicing Christian that I deeply desire to do. I need not become discouraged about my failings, but instead, come to You in repentance, knowing that over a period of time I will be changed. I also believe that in Your wisdom and power, I will be like a deep rooted, fruitful tree that will not be stunted in growth and fruit, or blown over in the storm. V 47 “Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show whom he is like.” Again it is promised, that if I follow the admonition of Jesus, in verse 46, I will be like a man who built his house upon a rock (solid) foundation which was not swept away by the strong flowing waters or beating rain.
Much tumult is upon the earth physically, commercially and spiritually. For many these events are bring confusion and fear. I learn in the scriptures, that I need not fear, and instead place myself and confidence in You and upon every inspired word and admonition found in scripture.
Please give me the ability to focus on You and every one of these inspired words, as well as be better able to remember them and take them into my deepest being.
Amen