Foundations
(S) Scripture
Luke 6:46-49 (NIV)
46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?
47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.
48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.
49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
(O) Observation
Jesus uses this graphic picture to illustrate the effect obedience to God has on a life. Obedience becomes the firm foundation on which a life is built that will withstand any storm or circumstance that comes its way. Being disobedient though creates an unstable foundation that crumbles under the weight of storms and circumstances that come to life but are compounded by our disobedience.
(A) Application
Being told to "obey" makes me bristle at times. It seems like an attempt to take away my freedom. In reality I do not have the ability or inclination to obey God until I am His child. When I became a Christian I then had the opportunity to choose to obey God and build my life on a firm foundation. Obedience is now a daily choice or more correctly a moment by moment choice. I know Christians who have chosen to disobey the clear teachings of scripture and then wonder why their lives are a wreck. I want my life to have staying power and so I will choose to be obedient. I am quite certain that I will not always get this right but I want to be so sensitive to God's Spirit that I will not continue in disobedience. I want my life to be like a well built house on a firm foundation.
(P) Prayer
Lord, You know my heart and my deepest desires. I want to be obedient and do whatever you ask of me. Make me aware when I am rebelling and not following you. Help me to build my life on the firm foundation of obedience to You. Amen
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