Are You A Wise Builder?

Everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” - Matthew 7:24

Did you know studying the Bible can be dangerous? In fact, the results of Bible study could be disastrous!

Sounds strange, I know. But God intended for us to apply the Bible to our lives…not just read it. So when we read God’s Word but don’t apply it, the foundation of our life may crumble.

At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Yeshua says, “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24). That wise man’s house stayed strong through the storm.

But then Yeshua spoke about someone else: “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” (Matthew 7:26). You probably know how the story goes: The foolish person’s house collapses during the storm.

God has given us the Bible for transformation, not just information. When we apply it, we’re building a firm foundation for our life.

Let’s add three more reasons why it’s important that we apply God’s Word to our lives:

1. Knowledge produces pride if we don’t apply Truth to our lives. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 8:1, “Knowledge puffs up while Love builds up”. As Christians, we can be the most cantankerous, evil, mean-spirited, critical, judgmental people the world has known…if we never take the extra step and apply the Bible to our lives. That’s because knowledge on its own produces pride. Instead, God wants us to apply that knowledge in Love.

2. Knowledge requires action. James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says”. What we are should be reflected in what we do. You can’t grow spiritually just by taking notes on a Bible study. God expects you to follow His commands…they’re not optional!

3. Knowledge increases responsibility. The Bible says, “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it” (James 4:17 NLT). When you study the Bible, God will show you areas of your life that need to be changed. And once He shows you those areas, He’ll hold you responsible for what He’s shown you. A deeper knowledge of Scripture equals a greater responsibility to follow it.

As we study and apply God’s Word, we’ll be building a strong foundation that will keep us steady during life’s storms.

I Am Persuaded...Absolutely Nothing!

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the Love of God that is in Messiah Yeshua our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39 TLV

It continues to amaze me how God gives me what I need right when I need it.

Due to unexpected circumstances and some actions of others, I allowed myself to slide down the slippery slope of hurt feelings yesterday. Lingering on that slope for a moment too long caused me to struggle most of the afternoon. Before long, feelings of rejection, discouragement, and being unloved surfaced. I found myself nearly in a pit of despair.

The enemy of my soul whispered such words in my ear: “You don’t have what it takes.” “It’s no wonder you were forgotten. Look at you.” “You will never measure up.” The words caught me off-guard. I wasn’t ready for them. And, for a split-second, I listened to his lies.

It’s a good thing, however, I knew enough not to believe those whispers.

My friend, what do you do when the enemy whispers such words in your ear? I know I can’t be the only one he does this to. The words might be different, but they're just as destructive. How do you resist his lies? Is there something you do to combat his attempts to intimidate you?

I immediately put down what I was doing and grabbed my Bible and began to read scriptures from my weekly devotional. I began to read and listen as I answered the next set of questions in my lesson. Wouldn’t you know, the words of Romans 8:38-39 were in front of me.

I’m absolutely convinced that nothing…nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable…absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s Love because of the way that Yeshua our Messiah has embraced us. (Romans 8:38-39 MSG)

One of the questions on my lesson asked me to list the things in my life or world events that tempt me to worry or prompt anger or impatience. I began to list words I found in that moment. Then it asked me to use my list to rewrite verses 38-39 as my own statement of confidence in God’s Love for me.

I’m absolutely convinced that nothing–experiences or people, rejection or unloving actions, the past or the future, uncertainty or evil, words or behaviors; absolutely nothing can get between me and God’s Love because of the way that Yeshua, my Messiah has embraced me. (Romans 8:38-39 - my statement)

There’s life in God’s Word. Can I just tell you how empowering and encouraging that simple act was? I continued to recite my sentence over and over, and as I did, I was reminded of how great God’s amazing Love is for me. Nothing else matters. Not the actions of others. Not my feelings. Nothing. Nothing else is as important as God’s Love through Messiah Yeshua.

My friend, the next time the enemy of your soul whispers words of untruth in your ear, try writing out Romans 8:38-39 in your own words of struggle or uncertainty. See how quickly your heart is encouraged and uplifted.

I closed my Bible, thanked God for His encouraging truth, and poured myself another cup of tea, Those thoughts left and have not returned.

There’s no encouragement like the encouragement we find in God’s Word!

What Kind of Love Is This?

Behold, what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:1 John 3:1a KJV

When God created man, it was so that we can have fellowship with Him. Like with Adam and Eve, He communed with them, but then when they sinned, it brought about a separation from God. As it was always God’s intention to fellowship with mankind, God made provision to reconcile mankind back to Himself.

Think about it, mankind sinned against God, rebelled against God and disobeyed God, yet He chose to send His Son to die to redeem us. He sent His Son to die for us because He so love us. How can He still love us, when what we really deserve is punishment? "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16 KJV). Hereby perceive we the Love of God, because He laid down His Life for us: (1 John 3:16a KJV).

God did not stop there. Not only does He love us, but He calls us His children. He calls us sons and daughters. He acknowledges us as His very own. When someone wrongs us and really hurt us, the last thing on our minds is loving that person. We may even have thoughts of avenging ourselves and do the same to the person as was done to us. Our heavenly Father though is not like that. He still loves us. His love remains consistent.

Very few people will die to save the life of someone else, even if it is for a good person. Someone might be willing to die for an especially good person. But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much He loves us. We have been made right with God by the blood sacrifice of Christ. So, through Christ we will surely be saved from God’s anger (Romans 5:7-9 ESV).

As sons of God, we are privileged to be given and enjoy the promises of God. As sons of God, we are led by His Spirit and we call Him Father. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God" (Romans 8:14-16 KJV).

Dear friends, now we are children of God. We have not yet been shown what we will be in the future. But we know that when Christ comes again, we will be like Him. We will see Him just as He is. He is pure, and everyone who has this hope in Him keeps themselves pure like Christ, (1 John 3:2-3 ESV).