Memorial Day

Happy memorial weekend.
I thank God for all the veterans and soldiers who have fought and are fighting for our country.

I was reading and something caught my eye. (Matthew 7) The phrase ‘do the will of my Father’ seems to be something other than working for Him. Even casting out demons in His name doesn’t qualify on its own merit, according to this scripture.
Thank goodness Jesus went on to explain further. Using a parable… Well, here. You read it.

21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

So this says two kinds of people worked for him. They both heard the Word. No matter what their ministry was, even miracles, they were different. One obeyed the Word. He did what he heard his Master say. The other one heard but ignored the Word, or said, ‘I’m too busy working for You to bother with the details right now. I’ll catch up on my relationship later.’
When I was teaching I have to admit I played catch up in my relationship with Him on holidays or the summer. Even though my work bore fruit,, I suffered needlessly because I didn’t follow the teaching just before this passage. Jesus talks about worry just before this. And what will bless me. Paul even said he had to put his flesh under so that after all his work, he wouldn’t be disqualified. Matthew 6 and 7 is worth another look with the mindset that obeying is building our lives on the rock. Plus it really frees us to just be children of our Father.
And friends with Jesus. And for us personally, that’s all that matters. All the fruit we bear is great, but in the end the goal is to know Him. Then fruit comes naturally as we move in Him. Yes, even miracles! How awesome!!!
Love you all,
healed by His stripes,
Nancy