Evening Scripture

Matthew, Chapter 7
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

“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 who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

“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.”

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Evening Reflection 

Each day, we’re inundated with new ways to do tasks and new theories to consider. Culture is shifting at a speed the human heart was never meant to keep up with. We’re asked to process, prepare, and produce regardless of how off-axis we feel. It leaves one tired and weary. It leaves us wondering when will enough be enough, and when will the constant shifts and jolts of this world end? Matthew 7 calls us to consider something outside the fast-paced world. It calls us to consider the one thing that has never changed in all of creation: Who God is and what He said.

Jesus lists many things in Matthew 7, but what stands out most and stands up against the pulls of this world is found in verses 24-27. What is your house built upon, meaning: What or who is the foundation of your life? If it is God, then we have the blueprint we need. We don’t need to latch on to new theories every time culture presents them, and we don't need to carry the weight of trying every new thing under the sun.

What we need to do is build a firm foundation on the things of God, not on the things of this earth. We see time and time again that the things of earth rust and give way. They fall apart as the fabric of society shifts. The world is not stable, but we know God is. We need to set our eyes and hearts upon what Jesus valued and modeled. Rest tonight in the presence of your Savior, take every “new” thing being presented to you, and hold it up to the living Word of God and trust the Holy Spirit to lead you as you follow after His heart - not the world.

Evening Prayer 

Father,
In a world that is always changing, I’m thankful you never will. When I feel anxious or overwhelmed by our fast-paced culture, remind me that you do not ask me to go at that speed. You call me to a richer way of living. One where stillness and peace are to be a respite found in you. Help me build my life on your solid foundation. Remove anything that would compromise its stability. Please help me live a life that reflects your design. Holy Spirit, help me to live set apart in this world, and help me to be a light where you have me. Give my body rest and cover me with your peace. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

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Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.

Evening Scripture
Matthew, Chapter 7 &ldquo;Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
&ldquo;Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.&nbsp;For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds;&nbsp;and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
&ldquo;Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?&nbsp;Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?&nbsp;If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts&nbsp;to those who ask him!&nbsp;So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,&nbsp;for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
&ldquo;Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.&nbsp;But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
&ldquo;Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep&rsquo;s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.&nbsp;By their fruit you will recognize them.&nbsp;Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?&nbsp;Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.&nbsp;A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.&nbsp;Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.&nbsp;Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
&ldquo;Not everyone who says to me, &lsquo;Lord, Lord,&rsquo; will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.&nbsp;Many will say to me on that day,&nbsp;&lsquo;Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?&rsquo;&nbsp;Then I will tell them plainly, &lsquo;I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!&rsquo;
&ldquo;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.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.&rdquo;
When Jesus had finished saying these things,&nbsp;the crowds were amazed at his teaching,&nbsp;because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Evening Reflection&nbsp;
Each day, we&rsquo;re inundated with new ways to do tasks and new theories to consider. Culture is shifting at a speed the human heart was never meant to keep up with. We&rsquo;re asked to process, prepare, and produce regardless of how off-axis we feel. It leaves one tired and weary. It leaves us wondering when will enough be enough, and when will the constant shifts and jolts of this world end?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/7.html">Matthew 7</a>&nbsp;calls us to consider something outside the fast-paced world. It calls us to consider the one thing that has never changed in all of creation:&nbsp;Who God is and what He said.
Jesus lists many things in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/7.html">Matthew 7</a>, but what stands out most and stands up against the pulls of this world is found in verses 24-27. What is your house built upon, meaning: What or who is the foundation of your life? If it is God, then we have the blueprint we need. We don&rsquo;t need to latch on to new theories every time culture presents them, and we don't need to carry the weight of trying every new thing under the sun.
What we need to do is build a firm foundation on the things of God, not on the things of this earth. We see time and time again that the things of earth rust and give way. They fall apart as the fabric of society shifts. The world is not stable, but we know God is. We need to set our eyes and hearts upon what Jesus valued and modeled. Rest tonight in the presence of your Savior, take every &ldquo;new&rdquo; thing being presented to you, and hold it up to the living Word of God and trust the Holy Spirit to lead you as you follow after His heart - not the world.
Evening Prayer&nbsp;
Father, In a world that is always changing, I&rsquo;m thankful you never will. When I feel anxious or overwhelmed by our fast-paced culture, remind me that you do not ask me to go at that speed. You call me to a richer way of living. One where stillness and peace are to be a respite found in you. Help me build my life on your solid foundation. Remove anything that would compromise its stability. Please help me live a life that reflects your design. Holy Spirit, help me to live set apart in this world, and help me to be a light where you have me. Give my body rest and cover me with your peace. In Jesus&rsquo; name, Amen.
Want More?
If tonight&rsquo;s episode blessed you, be sure to <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-nightly-scripture/id1896272962">follow the show</a> so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION&reg;. NIV&reg;. Copyright &copy; 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by <a href="https://www.biblica.com/">Biblica</a>. All rights reserved worldwide.

Your Nightly Scripture — 365-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God’s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.

Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Your Nightly Scripture &mdash; 365-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God&rsquo;s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.
Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Your Nightly Scripture

Building My Life on What Will Hold (Matthew 7)

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