Natural disasters are quite interesting at times. Depending upon the disaster, one house or community may be spared from disaster while another house or community is devastated. Find out how this relates to our message today.
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Message
Recently, fires were sweeping the west coast of the United States. The winds were unpredictable which made fighting the fires almost impossible.
One town would be spared while a neighboring town would be decimated by the shifting winds. It has been only a few weeks since these fires swept several states and the rebuilding has just begun.
It will take several years for these communities to be rebuilt and for people to return to their homes, schools, and churches.
There are reports of the same types of things happening in tornadoes. A building can be cut in half. One half completely destroyed, and the other half not damaged in the least bit.
Much of the risk of damage in a natural disaster comes from the building practices used when constructing the building.
Using builders who have the right tools, knowledge, and wisdom to build your house can go a long way when disaster strikes.
Use Tools Just Like Jesus
Our life is no different. Each day we build part of our life. We are constantly building it. We are constantly expanding it.
As we build our lives we need to do it in such a way that we can not only survive, but thrive amidst the storms and disasters that come our way.
Storms and disasters can be anything like financial setbacks, relational problems, sickness, or emotional problems.
But how do we build our lives in a way to withstand these storms of life? How do we face the disasters that are thrown at us by the enemy of our soul?
Let’s read Matthew 7:24-25
Matthew 7:24-25
(24) “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. (25) 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.
Jesus is concluding his sermon on the mount. He has been teaching the gathered crowd for some time on many subjects. So many things that Matthew takes three chapters to record it all.
This is his summation after all of the subjects he taught on.
Jesus says that everyone who hears his words AND puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. That’s being just like Jesus.
Jesus knew construction. He was the son of a carpenter and worked under his adoptive dad, Joseph, for many years learning carpentry. That’s what makes this illustration even more powerful.
He taught a lot that you can read in Matthew chapters 5 through 7. Here Jesus tells us that the wise man will hear his words AND put them into practice.
He compares someone who does that to a man who builds his house on a rock. That’s a strong foundation. Floods, wind, rain, and fire aren’t going to do much to a rock.
A house built on a rock can withstand a lot.
Build Your Life Just Like Jesus
A life that is built on hearing the words of Jesus AND putting them into practice is a life that can face the difficult times of life.
To build our lives so they can face the storms of life, the rising floodwaters of chaos and uncertainty, and the shifting ground of society, we must have the wisdom, teaching, and protection of Jesus.
It’s not good enough to just hear or read Jesus’ words. It’s not good enough to just go with what someone else says or is doing, even though they are reading and hearing Jesus’ words.
We each must listen to Jesus and read His word and put His teachings into practice; just like Jesus.
This is all necessary to survive all the calamity that Satan is going to throw at us.
Imagine having all of the right tools to build something, but you don’t read the instructions on how to use them.
Imagine building a house and having all of the right tools and materials, but you ignore the blueprints. You just start cutting wood and nailing it together.
That’s not a house I want to live in.
I assure you that the devil will try anything to destroy your life and invalidate your testimony. He wants the storms of life to destroy you.
James 1: 2-5 says:
James 1:2-5
(2) Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, (3) because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (4) Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (5) If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
We will all face difficult times that will test our faith. Those difficult times teach us perseverance and endurance.
When we persevere, we will produce character and grow into the mature Christ-like person we are called to be. We will lack nothing because we will be complete in Christ.
Ask God For Wisdom Just Like Jesus
Seek the Lord for wisdom, he will give us what we need to stay the course and get through difficult times.
We must study the Bible and put what we learn into practice in our daily lives so we can stand firmly in the Lord for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Psalm 119:11 says:
Psalm 119:11
(11) I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Have you hidden God’s word in your heart? Is it a part of you? That is how we become like Jesus. To know the character of Christ is to know his word and spend time in prayer.
Do you study the words in red and living your life just like Jesus? Jesus’ teachings are powerful and practical.
Jesus teaches in such an encouraging and loving way, but you must spend time reading his words to know that.
We want to encourage you today to spend some time studying the Bible and then applying what you study to your life.
As you read each passage of scripture, pray, and ask Jesus how it applies to you and your life right now.
We would love to hear some of what you learn. Let us know. The ways to contact us are at the closing of this video.
Build your life on the rock, Jesus. Learn how to use his tools, the Bible, and faith. Learn how to spot the storms coming while they are still far off. These are the wise things that you will learn as you study the Bible and put what you learn into practice into your everyday life.
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