Our cable TV provider gives us access to roughly 150 different channels. Why we have so many is beyond me, we only watch 2: HGTV and ESPN [don’t worry, the rest of my time is spent praying and reading the Bible! Lol] Did you ever notice all the HGTV programming is basically the same story over and over. Building or remodeling a home, oh no! We have an issue that’s going to cost several thousand dollars more- we figure it all out and we get the big reveal…….TEARS, JOY, BEAUTY and the story ends. Sound familiar? Did you know the first episode of HGTV took place several 1000yrs ago as narrated by Jesus:
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Matthew 7:24-27
Jesus being a carpenter’s son and the Creator of Heaven and Earth would probably qualify Him as ‘THE EXPERT’ in the field of design. Agreed? This section of scripture is taken from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ greatest sermon and unpacking of how God designed the world to work. This is the very last thing He spoke during this lengthy exposition. He wants this to be what we remember, what we take away! Your life can be a “Flip” or a “Flop” depending on how you choose to build. But make no mistake, it’s your choice! Build on the Rock of God’s word or on the sinking sand of this world.
Have you ever thought about how quickly our world is changing? At times it’s difficult to keep up: hairstyles, fashion, technology, what’s healthy [carbs? no carbs?, caffeine? no caffeine?] In a frantically changing world, we can count on the unchanging and unshakable word of God. Jesus says build your life on it. Here’s how:
1] Position your life for maximum hearing: What you consume, you will become! On average people spend 4hrs per day on their devices, 3hrs and 58 min watching TV, 4.5hrs a day listening to music. It’s never been easier to position your life to hear God’s word. I used to have to mail a check to purchase a cassette tape that would take 2 months to mail to me! Now, one click and I’m streaming it all for FREE!! Position your life to hear the word in your car, at your gym on your commute wherever you can, because ‘faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God’.
2] Prepare yourself to be a ‘Doer’: Pray your Day! Researchers have found that the first 20min of your day are critical. Our minds are in “alpha state” and more easily and readily funnel thoughts to our subconscious mind. Thus, those first 20 min will frame and filter how you attack the day. Pray through your schedule for the day. Invite the Holy Spirit to use you and strengthen you. See yourself being used by God.
Although the storms of life may come, your foundation is sure and solid because you’ve built on The Rock that can never be shaken. OK, I’m going to flip to ESPN now.
Much Love,
PA