GPS Guide – August 29, 2019
FORGIVING OTHERS AND SELF
Thursday
Read: Matthew 7:24-27
24 “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. 25 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.26 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. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (NIV Matthew 7:24-27)
Study: Jesus ended his Sermon on the Mount with this image of two builders. They both built houses during the dry season, when the wadis (rivers)of Palestine looked safe and harmless. When the storms came, they washed the house built on sand away. The wise person thought ahead and built a house on a foundation that would endure. Some relationships in our life look fine. Then something (illness, job loss, a poor choice) shakes the foundation, and shatters the relationship, at times beyond repair. Whether you’re married, dating or single, it will rain in your life eventually. What are you doing daily to build a character and a quality of relationship(s) that will be able to weather life’s storms? How can you mimic Jesus and build a foundation rooted in forgiveness to others?
Pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me durably, dependably, forever. Guide me in building my life on the principles of your kingdom, so that my life and relationships can withstand any earthly storm. Amen