Matt 7:24-27
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and act on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”
Fellow Believers who love our Lord,
Have you ever been foolish? I believe it is an international club to which all human beings belong by word or deed at some point in their life. God states the foolish are those who hear Truth but do not act on it and trust Christ Jesus; building their lives on Him. Instead they continue to trust themselves; caught up in their own ingenuity and cleverness they are trapped by love of the world. The storms in our life reveal which we have chosen to build on: sand or Rock, by which we stand or fall.
Being God's children requires us to reflect the likeness of our heavenly Father on earth. A practical outworking of our heavenly position here on earth revealed in our daily walk. As we hear His still, small voice speaking to our hearts, I pray we would be quick to obey! I was poignantly and painfully reminded this week to disobey brings a regret which wants to eat you for dinner. Each Wednesday I come home from work on break, returning a few hours later. I attend to the cockatiels and Aurora my dog. As I am backing our of the drive I hear this still small voice, "go back and check the burners". I stopped and considered, then believing I had not eaten anything requiring a pan to heat, I continued on my way. Still uncomfortable I pulled to the side of the road until I again convinced myself of this and continued on my way. Two hours later I received a text from my husband, "How long were you planning to cook the green beans?" A moan-bursting regret escaped me and the words 'You could have' ....." roared through my thoughts. I could have killed the birds, I could have burned down the house... etc.
The greatest regret pierced my heart, filling me with sadness, for I did not obey His still small voice. Yet His grace and mercy covered me even in my foolishness. How good He is even though I was foolish. More importantly I didn't do what was pleasing to Him. It is not a matter of right or wrong, for our standard is the Cross. The Holy Spirit is sent to produce Christ in us strengthening us with power through his Spirit in the inward man. Only a surrendered life built on the Rock will know Christ living through them.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. John 10:26-28
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. John 10:26-28
Think of all we have in Christ!
But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” I Cor 1:30-31 (many words can be inserted: Hope, Joy, Peace, life, etc)
Our path ought to be the mold, the opportunity, for the expression... of Christ's life. Saints seek to use Him rather in order to get through their circumstances, instead of seeing in the circumstances the mold in which they are to be taught the strength and power of the Lord Jesus. May we grow in Him, know Him, not only as helping us through circumstances, but using the circumstances which He puts us through as opportunities for enlarging our souls in Himself. MJS
Jesus changes everything! The indwelling of the Spirit is to produce what is of Christ in us. He is to us what we lack. Christ, Himself is everything we will ever need. Do not be satisfied with less than hearing His voice as you read His Word. Listen for His still small voice in song, in the preaching of the Word and during times of prayer.
Father, There is no place on earth where Your voice is not heard! The heavens declare Your glory. Your Word says, 'They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.' Psalm 65:8 I hunger for You and long to hear Your voice. How great You are, You who are the Holy Speaker of Truth, You who quicken my heart and soul through Your Word. How blessed I am to have a Bible. Thank You. Abba, make me quick to obey; filling me with a burning desire of please You. By Your Spirit Jesus touch others through me. Thank You for hearing my prayer and working in me to will and to do of Your good pleasure.You are so awesome. In Your Living Name I pray, amen.
From Him, Who loves me now so well,
What power my soul shall sever?
Shall life, or death , or earth, or hell?
No; I am His for ever. JGS
Have a week of responding quickly to His voice, much love my brothers and sisters,
AZ
