(Photo Credit: Andre Furtado)
Did you know that Jesus told us EXACTLY how to survive the storms of life?
He said that anyone who not only HEARS His words, but also PUTS THEM INTO PRACTICE is like a wise man who built his house upon a solid foundation that is like a rock.
But, someone who hears His words and does not put them in practice is like someone who builds his house upon the sand. And when the winds come and the waves come up against the house, the entire house crashes down.
Here, read the passage with me:
Matthew 7:24-27 “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.” (NIV)
This is a metaphor for life.
Jesus is saying that if our life is built upon not only hearing His words but also putting them into practice, then that is what creates a solid foundation so our entire life doesn’t crumble when the trials of life come.
We have to be those who live the Word of God.
Now, the good news is that Jesus wasn’t speaking in generalities here. He spent a significant time giving very practical advice to follow all contained within the Sermon on the Mount. You can read and study all of it in Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.
However, for brevity’s sake, here are a few good takeaways from both Matthew and John.
1. We must remain in Christ, not straying from Him:
John 15:4 “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
2. We must be like Him in the way He forgave, or bitterness and broken relationships can overwhelm our lives and distract our focus:
Matthew 6:14-15
“ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
3. We must make our lives dependent on God through prayer:
Matthew 7:7 “7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened..”
4. We must love God with our whole being:
Matthew 22:37 “Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’”
Jesus said many other things all throughout the Gospels that help us guide our life by His words.
What Bible verses would YOU add to this list? I would love to hear from you. Let me know what you think!
Until next time,
Liz
Want to have me come speak for your church or group?
Make an inquiry here:
Want to memorize one of Jesus’ exhortations in His Sermon on the Mount?
Go here:
Prefer this content in video format?
Go here:
Join the LH Insider community for free monthly devotionals and first access to new resources designed to help you grow in Christ!
