This is the beginning of my series on the PROVERBS - the continuation of JESUS' TEACHINGS. Jesus ministry was marked by a unique style - SHORT STORIES (PARABLES) with morals and religious lessons. It was very popular, and not always understood by everyone, particularly the "religious leaders". They were "simple illustrations", but he kept the "explanations" for His disciples. There was often a lot of misunderstanding, so Jesus made one point at a time.
1. THE WISE AND FOOLISH BUILDERS
"Therefore, everyone who hears these WORDS OF MINE and PUTS THEM INTO PRACTICE is like a wise man who BUILT HIS HOUSE UPON A ROCK. Then 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." Matthew 7:24&25 (NIV)
Where are you now on your building plan - "your journey with God" - are their:
* Troubles and storms you are facing - do you need to lean on Jesus?
* Renovations that need to be made on your house (your life) - do you need Jesus' help?
* Do you have new neighbours (friends/Church) - take it slow, MOVE ON, and don't live in the past. Remember, Jesus is always with you!
Jesus knew all about BUILDING. When He was growing up, he learnt from his father - a carpenter, "a craftsman by trade". He knew to have a FIRM FOUNDATION you had to build a house on a ROCK not sand.
"Everyone who HEARS THESE WORDS and DOES NOT PUT THEM INTO PRACTICE is like a foolish man who built His house on the sand." Matthew 7:26
"Jesus message is powerful and timesless. There is no substitute for GOD'S WORD, and it yields richness and truth in our lives." Charles Swindoll
"You may face disapointments, doubts, trials and temptations. There may be setbacks, suffering, sickness, sorrow and failures. However, we need not live in fear, if we BUILD OUR FOUNDATION ON GOD'S WORD - "THE ROCK - and we put them into practice." Nicky Gumbel
This is one of my the special hymns that my father loved to sing, "Standing on the Promises". Written by Russell Kelso Carter in 1886, He was licensed to preach and his failing health, led him to become a medical doctor as well as a writer of novels as well as hymns.
Jesus reminds me every day that He wants me to build my life on HIS PROMISES. They are "unbreakable" and "unshakeable". The winds will still BLOW and the rains will FALL, but in the end YOU WILL STAND. Why? Because YOU ARE 'STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF GOD".
Jesus encouraged His followers as He does us to PRAY and NEVER LOSE HOPE, and never be fainthearted. When the storm hits, we can TRUST IN OUR LORD, and HIS WORD, because we know HIS PROMISES ARE TRUE. I know He has never let me down, and because I have "built my foundation on HIS ROCK", putting His promises into PRACTICE, I keep STANDING with my FRIEND AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST.
"May the God of HOPE fill you will all JOY AND PEACE as you TRUST IN HIM, so that you may OVERFLOW WITH HOPE by the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT." Romans 15:13 (NIV)
"We have PUT OUR HOPE IN THE LIVING GOD, who is the SAVIOUR OF EVERYONE, particularly of all believers. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle." 1 Timothy 4:10 (CEV/NLT)
"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION" (2011), Biblica
"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW LIVING TRANSLATION" (2015), Tyndale House Publishing
"CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH VERSION - 2nd Edition" (2006) American Bible Society
"The Wise Man Built His House Upon a Rock" (2018), Sunday School Songs, JapsPad/You Tube Kids
"Standing on the Promises" (1886/2017), Russell Kelso Carter (Composer)/Alan Jackson (Performer), Gaither Music/You Tube
SWINDOLL, Charles, "Searching the Scripture - Finding Nourishment Your Soul Needs", 2017, Tyndale House Publishers
GUMBEL, Nicky, "The Bible in One Year", 2009, Alpha International/YouVersion
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