First Thursday of Advent
– You can ponder on the picture. For a method of praying with pictures click button below.
– You can pray on the words of Scripture. For methods of praying with scripture click button below.
– You can follow the suggestions in the daily ‘Reflection’.
– You can listen to the music
Today’s Scripture
Matthew 7: 21, 24-27 (HSCB)
“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.
“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of Mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. And its collapse was great!”
Reflection
Hearing the news that a house we are interested in buying may be ‘liable to subsidence’ is definitely a red flag. Solid foundations are the starting point of any building project. Beautiful cushions and furniture won’t be much use if the house can’t withstand heavy weather.
Jesus won’t have heard the phrase ‘window dressing’ but it certainly applies here. If the living of faith is about little more than appearances or pleasing others, it won’t last us through the storms and difficulties of life. Customs, traditions and practices have to be considered in the light of hearing the words of Jesus and acting on them.
You may like to speak with God about some of the storms in your life, you have experienced in your faith and life, or are experiencing now.
Perhaps there are certain foundational beliefs that stand you in good stead, like those of a creed. You could revisit those today and consider how you may have changed in your perception or understanding of them, or how you live them out.
Today’s Music
Click to purchase God is my Rock by Glad