#Proverbs 4:20-23

[kmac4him1st]

Good Insight

The issues of our life flow from our heart and that is why we guard it diligently and carefully with God's Word. God bless ya! Enjoy The God Insight!

“Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.” 1 Peter 2:11-12 NLT

[storytour-blog]

There is a special connection between the manna that fell in the desert during the 40 years of wandering and Shabbos. There is a mystical quality within our means that can affect how we taste our food – that quality is love. The manna was an extraordinary gift from the Holy One, blessed be He as it is recorded that He said, “Even before I gave you the mitzvos (10 Commandments) I provided their…

[touchofgoddotworld]

He Cares For You Affectionately and Cares About You Watchfully (247) - May 25 2024

Play on other Podcast Apps 1 Peter 5:7 (AMPC) – Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. This program covers the following scriptures from the Amplified Classic version (AMPC): 1 Peter 5:7; Matthew 11:28-30; Romans 8:1-2; Matthew 6:33; 1 John 4:19;…

[tom4jc]

Are You On Fire?

One of the things my wife and I love to do is sit in front of our fireplace and watch it, during the few days it is cool enough to run in Texas. Although our fireplace is a gas fireplace and does not consume anything other than gas, it is great to watch. When we can, we also love to have an outside firepit to watch and roast marshmallows on. Fire is something that many people love to watch. It…

[aestariiwilderness]

Abortion is Murder & Unbiblical

The Bible does not use the word abortion. How could it? The term itself as a procedure wasn't invented yet! However, the Bible does cover: 

Humanity's inherent value and rights as (uniquely among creation) made in the image of God

Murder

Child/infant murder as something abhorrent to God

Life's beginnings, indirectly (although that also has biological support) 

Legal ramifications of killing a child in the womb 

How God sees and interacts with children in the womb 

How we as His followers are meant to treat children 

What He expects us to do for the defenseless and vulnerable (i.e., the most defenseless and vulnerable human imaginable is the one in the womb) 

And how the question of following Him and His Word is what makes or breaks the difference between a Christian and someone who claims the name but is tragically unsaved  Below are some verses and some additional explication (partial credit: @glowsticks-and-jesus)  

Proverbs 31:8 

Luke 1:44 

2nd Kings 17:17 

Jeremiah 19:5 

Genesis 9:6 

Exodus 21:22-25 

Matthew 7:20 - 23 

John 15:14 

1st John 1:5-10, 2:3-6 

Exodus 20:13 

Mark 10:13-15 Leviticus 20:3-5 (https://biblehub.com/hebrew/mizzaro_2233.htm) 

Matthew 18:10, 14

Psalm 22:10

Jacob & Esau, John the Baptist, Samson, etc. 

Judges 16:17  Glowsticks-and-Jesus Collection:

"Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.'"Jeremiah 1:4-5

"The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name."Isaiah 49:1

John the Baptist leaped in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary greeted her cousin (Luke 1:39-45), an example that babies in utero are responsive human beings already aware of the outside world.

The righteous Hebrew midwives at the time of Moses pleased God by saving babies deemed unworthy of life by the authorities of their day (Ex. 1:15-21).

 As an additional note -- these references are included above, but worth a second mention -- it's plain that child sacrifice - child murder - is something that God abhors and explicitly does not command. I'd look here (https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/19-5.htm) and here (https://biblehub.com/2_kings/17-17.htm) and check out the cross-references as well. Likewise, there is direct support for laws against murder and the protection of the unborn (up to capital punishment) in the Bible (Genesis 9:6; Exodus 21:22-25  -- an additional reference here included about the common misunderstanding of the latter verses: https://www.str.org/w/what-exodus-21-22-says-about-abortion).

In summary -- it's possible (although, I believe, it does deprive its proponents of a foundational basis for the value of life) to be both secular and anti-abortion. But it is not possible for a Christian who truly understands their faith, their God, and His Word to be pro-abortion.

[girlbloggercher]

how to read the Bible

this is in order!

1. John

2. Mark

3. Matthew

4. Luke

5. Genesis

6. Exodus

7. Leviticus

8. Numbers

9. Dueteronomy

10. Romans

11. Galatians

12. Colossians

13. Proverbs

14. Ecclesiastes

15. Job

16. 1 Peter

17. 1 Corinthians

18. 2 Corinthians

19. Ephesians

20. Philippians

21. 1 Thessalonians

22. 2 Thessalonians

23. 1 Timothy

24. 2 Timothy

25. James

26. 2 Peter

27. 1 John

28. 2 John

29. 3 John

30. Jude

31. Psalms

32. Joshua

33. Judges

34. 1 Samuel

35. 2 Samuel

36. 1 Kings

37. 2 Kings

38. 1 Chronicles

39. 2 Chronicles

40. Ezra

41. Nehemiah

42. Jeremiah

43. Lamentations

44. Ezekiel

45. Joel

46. Amos

47. Obadiah

48. Nahum

49. Habakkuk

50. Zephaniah

51. Haggai

52. Zechariah

53. Malachi

54. Micah

55. Hosea

56. Luke

57. Esther

58. Jonah

59. Song of Solomon

60. Acts

61. Titus

62. Philemon

63. Hebrew

64. Isaiah

65. Daniel

66. Revelation

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Pharisees and Sadducees Demand Signs

1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.

6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.

8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. — Matthew 16 | King James Version (KJV) The King James Version Bible is in the public domain Cross References: Job 34:11; Psalm 42:2; Psalm 49:8; Psalm 129:2; Proverbs 26:5; isaiah 22:22; Isaiah 57:3; Jeremiah 1:1; Matthew 1:16; Matthew 3:7; Matthew 4:10; Matthew 5:20; Matthew 6:30; Matthew 8:20; Matthew 10:38-39; Matthew 12:40; Matthew 14:17; Matthew 14:20; Matthew 21:25; Mark 8:15; Luke 9:18; Luke 12:54; Luke 12:56; John 1:42; John 12;25; Revelation 3:7

Some Standing Here Will Not Taste Death

Key Events in Matthew 16

1. The Pharisees require a sign. 5. Jesus warns his disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 13. The people's opinion of Jesus, 16. and Peter's confession of him. 21. Jesus foretells his death; 23. reproves Peter for dissuading him from it; 24. and admonishes those who will follow him, to bear the cross.

[hrsquotes]

Believing in God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, Jesus' death & resurrection, Jesus' second coming are all meant to be believed through the lens of faith, not through a lens of feelings. Feelings change, sometimes back-n-forth. Feelings fail. Feelings are based off our senses. Faith is based off trust in the unseen. It is only by faith that the things of God can truly be in our hearts & become the center of our lives.

Some scriptures about faith: Proverbs 3:5-6 Matthew 17:20 Matthew 21:22 Mark 9:23 Mark 11:22-23 Romans 1:7 2 Corinthians 5:7 Ephesians 2:8-9 1 Timothy 6:12 Hebrews 11:1 Hebrews 11:6 James 1:3 James 1:6 1 John 5:4

[saltoftheearth5x2]

"You of little faith"

A devotion regarding doubt and our faith.

Matthew 8:23-27

" Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” "

At this point in time, the disciples had already seen Jesus heal the sick, drive out demons, and make clean the dirty; so why did the disciples fear the water? How could people who live with him still doubt his power?

In the same way, we can find ourselves doubting. We'll be in a difficult spot, and suddenly we're not so sure anymore. Can he do it? Will he do it? Is he really there?

Jesus has already died on the cross for us. What more do we ask of him to satisfy our doubts? If your faith depends on whether you see miracles everyday, or if you're expecting a "sign", are you sure that you understand what faith is? Faith is believing that he's there without needing to see visual conformation. Faith is knowing that you'll be able to walk through the valley of the shadow of death and make it to the other side. Faith is trusting that you are in God's hands; forever and always.

If you do not feel the connection with God, change that. Talk to him, and read the Word (the bible). God is there and ready to have a relationship with you - you only need to reach out.

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."

- 2 Corinthians 5:7

....

Other helpful Bible verses:

Hebrews 11:1

Matthew 17:20

Proverbs 3:5-6

1 John 5:4

Romans 4:20-21

....

If you have any questions regarding the Christian faith, please ask me in my ask box. I am not a perfect person, but I will try and answer your questions as best as I can. We all have much more to learn, myself included. So please, do not be shy.

[awideplace]

Question: “What does it mean to surrender to God?” Answer: This world is a battleground. Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:17-19), the world God created has been in conflict with Him (Romans 8:20-22). Satan is called the "god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4), and due to Adam’s sin, we are born on his team (Romans 5:12). John Bunyan pictured this conflict in his allegory The Holy War. Prince Emmanuel besieges the city of Mansoul to wrest it from the power of Diabolus. Unfortunately, the citizens of Mansoul are blindly committed to Diabolus and fight against Emmanuel, to their own detriment.

When we reach the age when we can make moral choices, we must choose whether to follow our own sinful inclinations or to seek God (see Joshua 24:15). God promises that when we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). When we find Him, we have a choice to make: do we continue following our own inclinations, or do we surrender to His will?

Surrender is a battle term. It implies giving up all rights to the conqueror. When an opposing army surrenders, they lay down their arms, and the winners take control from then on. Surrendering to God works the same way. God has a plan for our lives, and surrendering to Him means we set aside our own plans and eagerly seek His. The good news is that God’s plan for us is always in our best interest (Jeremiah 29:11), unlike our own plans that often lead to destruction (Proverbs 14:12). Our Lord is a wise and beneficent victor; He conquers us to bless us.

There are different levels of surrender, all of which affect our relationship with God. Initial surrender to the drawing of the Holy Spirit leads to salvation (John 6:44; Acts 2:21). When we let go of our own attempts to earn God’s favor and rely upon the finished work of Jesus Christ on our behalf, we become a child of God (John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21). But there are times of greater surrender during a Christian’s life that bring deeper intimacy with God and greater power in service. The more areas of our lives we surrender to Him, the more room there is for the filling of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we exhibit traits of His character (Galatians 5:22). The more we surrender to God, the more our old self-worshiping nature is replaced with one that resembles Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Romans 6:13 says that God demands that we surrender the totality of our selves; He wants the whole, not a part: “Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.” Jesus said that His followers must deny themselves (Mark 8:34)—another call to surrender.

The goal of the Christian life can be summed up by Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Such a life of surrender is pleasing to God, results in the greatest human fulfillment, and will reap ultimate rewards in heaven (Luke 6:22-23).

Source: Got Questions

[mental-health-and-jesus]

Hey friend, I came across your page. I am so glad I did. You are right. You are not by yourself when it comes to mental health and Jesus. I to struggle daily and I find myself getting depressed over and over again. I feel like I'm not good enough for Jesus 😔. I'm up and down with my walk Jesus. Now I'm just down!! Everyday I wake up I feel so hurt that the Lord Blessed me with another day of Grace and I can't even pick up my Bible to read what he says about me and how much he loves me. I struggle a lot with ready Gods word. I'm soo tired of struggling. Please pray for me that my walk with Jesus becomes stronger, bolder and consistent; I will pray more and praise God; I can get the courage to pick up my Bible and read it, case out fear, be consistent. I really need God to seriously walk with me. I'm willing to walk in my purpose I can't do that if I stay in this state. I need God and prayer. Thanks you friend in advance.

I’m in the same boat right now and You being open is really helping Me ☺️

I will Pray 🙏 for Us & here are some Chapters of the Bible I reread all the time

❤️ Psalm 91: ❤️ Psalm 25: ❤️ Ephesians 2: ❤️ Isaiah 41: ❤️ Philemon 1: ❤️ Psalm 102: ❤️ Ecclesiastes 7: ❤️ Matthew 5: ❤️ Psalm 23: ❤️

#Bible - Verse of the Day

Proverbs 29:25 and 30:5 & Ecclesiastes 4:9 and 7:20

[touchofgoddotworld]

Looking at the End Times (Part 8) (209) - September 2 2023

Play on other Podcast Apps During these times, reading the fine print can prevent a lot of things from occurring. If your phone is having issues, you go back to read the manual to see where something could have gone wrong. The same thing applies to the lives of believers. Did we read the fine print in the Bible pertaining to our walk in Christ? Pastor Catrice speaks on the topic this…

[saras-devotionals]

Quiet Time 9/11

What am I feeling today?

A bit overwhelmed and tired, I just feel that I have a lot on my plate at the moment. Also frustrated at myself, I have feelings for someone in my church and I don’t want to like him. Not because there’s anything wrong with it, but I can get so obsessive and it’s distracting for me and that’s not what I need right now. I don’t want to be thinking about him and caring so much what he thinks of me or whether he likes me back or not so I’m just frustrated with myself.

First Principles: The Art of Moving the Heart

2 Timothy 2:15

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

if you master elementary teachings, you won't be ashamed!

know that it’s possible to handle the Bible (word) incorrectly (false doctrine)

James 3:1

“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”

those that teach will be judged more harshly!

Hebrews 5:11 - 6:3

“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.”

"taught all over again" - Bible conviction to teach! train yourself self - go on to maturity!

Repentance is the foundation!

2 Timothy 1:13

“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.”

Sound Teaching!

Philippians 3:17

“Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.”

Follow the example as a model to do what we do

Romans 6:17

“But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.”

form of teaching everyone followed + entrusted!

SOLIDIFY

Ephesians 4:14

“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.”

UNIFY

John 17:23

“I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

MULTIPLY

Matthew 28:18-20

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

Habakkuk 2:14

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

Proverbs 20:5

“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.”

the heart is deep but it’s also clogged (sin)

Matthew 12:33-37

““Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.””

let people sit in the questions you ask them during studies, give them time to think and observe and come to an answer on their own

Matthew 13:1-9, 13

“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.”

they may hear you but don't understan

you have to be able to break up a calloused heart

the goal of it all is to heal the heart!

Romans 12:1-2

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

↳ am I becoming more like Jesus and less like myself?

Luke 3:7-14

“John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.””

We baptize disciples ONLY!

→ different people have a different process

[pugzman3]

Proverbs 4:20-27

20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

[henrysglock]

One as Bible Quotes (As A Treat)

"Then the One seated on the throne said, 'Look! I am making everything new.' He also said, 'Write, because these words are faithful and true.'" (Revelation 21:5)

"The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath remains on him." (John 3:36)

"The day of Pentecost came. The believers all gathered in one place. Suddenly a sound came from heaven. It was like a strong wind blowing. It filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw something that looked like tongues of fire. The flames separated and settled on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:1-4)

"The Lord sees everything you do. Wherever you go, he is watching. The sins of the wicked are a trap. They get caught in the net of their own sin. They die because they have no self-control. Their utter stupidity will send them to their graves." (Proverbs 21-23)

"'But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth'" (Acts 1:8)

"But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I am going away. For if I do not go away, the Holy Spirit will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you." (John 16:7)

"And whatever you ask in prayer, if you believe, you will receive." (Matthew 21:22)

"My conversation and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power" (Corinthians 2:4)

"All were astounded and greatly confused, saying to one another, 'What does this mean?'" (Acts 2:12)

''This is impossible for mere humans, but not for God; all things are possible for God." (Mark 10:27)

"For it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matthew 10:20)

"Peter said to them, 'Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit'" (Acts 2:38)

"These are only the shadow of the things to come..." (Colossians 2:17)

Plus a surprise Henry (for the ones who Get It):

"'You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty...You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you...and you corrupted your wisdom...So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. By your many sins and dishonest trade you have desecrated your sanctuaries.'" (Ezekiel 28:12-19)

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

As You Judge, So Shall You Be Judged

1 “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. 2 For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. 3 Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? 5 You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.

Pearls Before Swine

6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.

The Answer to Prayers

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, 10 or a snake when he asks for a fish? 11 If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.

The Golden Rule

12 “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.

The Narrow Gate

13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. 14 How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.

False Prophets

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So by their fruits you will know them.

The True Disciple

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 in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ 23 Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’

The Two Foundations

24 “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. 26 And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”

28 When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. — Matthew 7 | New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE) New American Bible, Revised Edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Cross References: 1 Samuel 15:33; 1 Samuel 24:13; 1 Kings 13:18; Job 22:16; Psalm 6:8; Psalm 16:11; Psalm 34:4; Psalm 37:4; Psalm 84:11; Psalm 109:17; Proverbs 9:8; Proverbs 10:8; Proverbs 10:25; Proverbs 23:9; Isaiah 35:8; Isaiah 63:7; Daniel 4:14; Matthew 5:17; Matthew 8:1; Matthew 10:15; Matthew 11:1; Matthew 12:33; Matthew 22:40; Matthew 25:10; Luke 6:37; Luke 6:41-42 and 43; Luke 11:10; Luke 13:24; John 3:14; Romans 2:1; 2 Corinthians 11:3; James 3:12

Judge Not, That You May Judge Well

Key Points in Matthew 7

1. Do Not Judge 7. Ask, Seek, Knock 13. Enter through the Narrow Gate 15. A Tree and Its Fruit 24. The Wise and the Foolish Builders 28. Jesus ends his sermon, and the people are astonished.