Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Thursday April 17, Matthew 7:24-27

”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.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall, because it had it’s foundation on the rock.
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.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27

Trust the Lord more, worry less and get more accomplished.

It seems that many people, myself included, live by the rule “God helps those who help themselves.” 
We feel we need to work long hours, in stressful jobs, to make enough income to support a lifestyle that we feel our family deserves – a beautiful, comfortable home, with all the modern conveniences, in a pretty neighborhood.  Activities, sports, hobbies, etc.
Or, maybe there is a situation that we can’t help meddling in – our grown children need our support and guidance so they don’t makes mistakes or get hurt and become discouraged.
If our outlook on life is based upon the solid rock of God’s love and protection, maybe we can afford to downsize instead of continually upgrading to something that appears to be bigger and better.
If we trust that God already has a plan for things to work out for the good, then we may prayerfully consider the situation before trying to take charge and force things to go the way we feel is best.

TRUST by Susan L. Lenzkes
Stoop shouldered, foot dragging, sighing resignation is not trust.
Real trust bounces on eager toes of anticipation – laughs with pure delight of knowing in whom it believes –
Rests easy knowing on whom it waits.
Lord, so wrap me in the knowledge of You, that my trust is no longer in You, but is You.

Terry Ryan

2 comments:

Linda W said...

Blessed by what you've shared today, Terry. "Trust the Lord more, worry less and get more accomplished." Amen!

I constantly have to check my thoughts and actions-- am I prayerfully trusting God and cooperating with what He's doing in my life, church, community, etc. or am I relying on my own understanding and efforts to save myself, my church, my community, etc. (Pr 3:5-6)

Unknown said...

My grandmother had a favorite slogan from the Great War. We have since renamed it World War I. The slogan was, "Praise the Lord... and pass the ammunition."

That was war.

Today, Christians struggle with the same balancing act. John Wesley taught make all you can, save all you can, and give all you can. All of those activities were put into perspective by his three simple rules: 1) do no harm, 2) do good, 3) love God by exercising holy conferencing, prayer, reading scripture, fasting, and partaking in Holy Communion.

The Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services called each and every one of us to draw closer to Christ.