Daily Devotional for July 7, 2016

Matthew 7:24-29
“All who listen to my instructions and follow them are wise, like a man who builds his house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents, and the floods rise and the storm winds beat against his house, it won’t collapse, for it is built on rock.

“But those who hear my instructions and ignore them are foolish, like a man who builds his house on sand. For when the rains and floods come, and storm winds beat against his house, it will fall with a mighty crash.” The crowds were amazed at Jesus’ sermons, for he taught as one who had great authority, and not as their Jewish leaders.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

We have a large square ottoman in our living room that has been the “go-to-table” for the children these last seven years.  It has been used as a track for cars…the base for creations from a variety of media, including Legos®, “bristle” blocks, wooden blocks, puzzles, and more…and just a great place to chill out for a few minutes and watch TV.  The ottoman is big…and sturdy.  But it is also upholstered and tufted.  So the top is flexible and not the firmest foundation for jigsaw puzzles or some block creations.  So there are lots of “collapses”…both from the creations AND the children who design them!

We have tried to teach the children to either 1) build certain things that need a solid base on the floor; or 2) put something sturdy, like a big book, on the ottoman first…and build their masterpiece on top of that. Experience is a great teacher…and the children are learning that the foundation matters!

It is one thing to tell our children that the blocks will stand up better on a solid surface…that the puzzle pieces will hold together better on the floor than a cushioned piece of furniture.  But when they put these suggestions into action – or see them demonstrated – the “lesson” is reinforced.  And so it is with us in our relationship with Jesus Christ. This foundation is important.  Bible study grounds us…give us a “go-to” source for guidance and encouragement.  But we have to know how to put these lessons and assurances into action, also.

We can spout scripture all day long.  We can appear to be one of the Godliest people on the planet...someone who always attends worship services and Bible studies – or teaches classes and serves on committees.  We can wear the t-shirts and sport the bumper stickers and the crosses on our clothing and jewelry.  We can pass out food to the needy and house the homeless and orphans.  But if we don’t demonstrate a sincere internalization of the Biblical foundation that we have been given, we will eventually crumble and wash away.  People will see us for the shams and frauds that we are…and God’s Kingdom will suffer.

What I am trying to tell you is that we have to get into God’s word…and then we have to get into God’s word.  We have to build a solid base of wisdom, encouragement, hope and faith…and then we have to reinforce the foundation by prayerfully putting these into practice each and every day in our own lives.  We want to demonstrate the confidence and assurance that Jesus emulated to those with whom He interacted. We don’t want to just keep up appearances like the priests and “religion teachers”…we want others to truly see Jesus Christ in action through our words and deeds.

Build your Christian discipleship on a firm foundation that includes confidence in God’s word…and personal evidence that it works in your own life. Demonstrate that you are rock solid in your faith…that everything you say and do is undergirded by the power of Jesus Christ working in and through you.  Let others see someone who is firmly planted in the word of God…and operating daily in His wisdom and promises.  How firm is your “foundation” today?  Isn’t it time you knew?


©2016 Debbie Robus

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