Dear Lord; Happy Meditations Monday Father!
Well Father, once again You Blessed my family and I with another lovely weekend. As I was still recovering from my week-long illness and Shannon wasn’t feeling 100% either, much of our time was spent resting and “puttering” around the house. Nonetheless, having that down-time to spend in the presence of those we love and enjoying that Blessed fellowship made for a wonderful respite from the week’s activities.
This week’s Meditations Monday Scripture was inspired by an extensive conversation Shannon and I had following church services on Sunday. You’ve Blessed me with a wonderful wife Father. Not only has the bond You’ve established between us grown closer over the life of our marriage, but we’re able to talk about absolutely anything with one another without concern of judgment or fear. In this case, our discussion was centered around some of our past and current priorities as a married couple, and how as our Walks with You progress, we want to be sure we’re following Your desire for our lives in everything we do. It was an excellent dialogue, and it allowed us to open and reexamine our perspectives on a number of things we’re involved in.
Today, as I spent time absorbed in Christ’s teachings, one particular passage brought our conversation back to mind, and reached into my heart:
“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 that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its 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 (NIV)
We have Jesus’ words Father… Your words… And while those words have been researched, translated, paraphrased and debated over and over again, the meaning of them remains timeless and unchanged. Through the power of the Holy Spirit You write those words on our hearts, and through our prayers their wondrous message is unlocked, and made to live inside us. It’s up to all of us to put those divine teachings to practice in our lives, thereby bringing ourselves closer to You in the process.
Heavenly Father,
Your Word and Your Voice sustain us Lord; they nourish our spirits, and inspire our actions. Please continue to reveal Your purpose for our lives, so we may proceed in the knowledge that Your glory is represented to the full. Guide us Father; fill our hearts with Your presence, that our actions may justify the Blessings You bestow on us each day.
In Jesus’ Name we pray,
Amen.
~Phather Phil
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
There are so many translations and opinions on the Word, but we must be in the Word ourselves and have fellowship with Him to know the truth. I want to be built on a solid foundation. Great post.
Absolutely Jenifer! The Word is a gateway to God’s presence, and through it and the Holy Spirit we gain His truth for our lives.
Have a Blessed Day!
At this time in our lives, we’re really learning the importance of leaning on a firm, immovable foundation. He sustains and carries us as we stagger at times under the load of the burden we now face. Thanks for sharing!
(BTW, when you have a chance come check out the new look at brvan.com. A new friend gave it a makeover!)
God Bless,
Bryan
Amen Bryan. Under our own volition we’re very limited in what we can bear, but when we reach out for His hand, that strength can carry us so much farther.
Love the new site design! 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
The key to a happy, long-lasting marriage is that it is built on The Solid Rock. What a blessing to hear that you and Shannon have discovered that truth and continue to grow in His love and your love for each other. Many blessings!
We truly are Blessed Lisa… She and I try as much as possible to stay on the same page, but even when our perspectives vary, we’re able to work through it and come back to that state of balance. God is so good to us!
Have a Blessed Day!
Great reminder, Phil. As I read the way you and Shannon talked it reminded me of a portion of the message I heard on Sunday. The pastor spoke a little about how need to stand shoulder to shoulder as partners with our spouse but that we also need that face to face time when we talk and grow as a couple. Thanks for this reminder. And when those talks are also rooted in our desire to follow God’s will for our next step that is a very firm foundation!
Thank you Eileen! I love that point your pastor made! 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
Christ keeps it fairly simple: Listen to me, do what I say. We mess it up with our need for translation. “Did God really say to …?”
I have felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit in recent days regarding a particular area of my life. Time to start doing; less talk, more action.
Another timely reminder, Phil.
peace~elaine
He does indeed Elaine. It becomes very easy to get mired down in translations, guessing at intent, and searching the words for other meaning. If we take God’s Word as our gateway and then open ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit to bring those words into our lives, we’re truly becoming one with God in the process.
Have a Blessed Day!