“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 the house, yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24, 25 NIV)
Forward Friday!
Biblical Words written in red are Jesus’ own words, His teaching moments. Even through times when satan is talking with God/Jesus- scheming, and trying to deceive in order to gain power, Jesus is ready to respond. This can be a great study to look up and please take time to read Matthew 7. Every word Jesus spoke, held meaning. Verses 24 and 25 are positive, as 21-23 are a harsh reality. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” This is very serious and a way satan deceives, making one think God’s Word is unnecessary.
God’s Word
Why is God’s Word necessary? It’s a vital heartbeat of God; John 1:1 as we established Monday when discussing light vs. darkness. A conversation grounded in respect and trust, a friend shared reasons why they would never read/study The Bible. My first thought…I’m being told this and my entire premise is purpose we study our Bible. And then…The Holy Spirit took over, I immediately compared studying our Bibles to studying for drivers test. Think back to the excitement of turning 15/16 and receiving our permits, first test to pass towards the finish line…earning our driver’s license. One out of three of my children took this test serious. and when they failed first time…what do all kids do next, they study the permit book. These rules and regulations are for road safety, not only for self, for all drivers.
Overcome
The Bible is similar…we have to study the Bible to know how to overcome this world. How are we going to know if a pastor leads the congregation astray, if we do not know God’s Word? If a pastor tells everyone Rahab saved a house of prostitutes, this would be wrong. We know in Joshua 2, Rahab asked that her father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all who belonged to them be kept alive and safe, understanding who these spies were and that God had given the Israelites the land. Does this error affect one’s salvation…no, yet, we want truth, we want to trust what is being preached…Biblical Truth.
Love
God is love, God does love…He sent His one and only Son to die the sacrificial lamb. Is it too much for Jesus to request we grow into His holiness and righteousness? We are to conform, transform our hearts, our selves into His likeness. This does not happen staying attached to the world. Because…if Jesus can tell people who felt they prophesied in His name, drove out demons, and performed miracles…He never knew them. We cannot be deceived into believing we can do as we please in Christ. Instead, study/learn God’s Word, grow in a closer relationship with Jesus, become trusted with much- trusted with every good gift.
Confidence
Build a Biblical foundation on the rock- Jesus Christ. We have storms in life, winds will blow and beat against who we are in Christ, a child of the Most High God. There are promises in the Bible we need to speak daily, and so much more to develop with like minds, knowing the thoughts and expectations God had for His chosen, and now for us today. Most of us drive w/confidence, because we took time to study the book. How about becoming confident to stand firm, when Spiritual armor is needed? Let’s move forward! Ready?
Be encouraged!
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