Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 9, 2016
Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 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. 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. Luke 6:46-49; Matthew 7:24-29
Years ago in Oklahoma we bought our first new home from a builder we trusted. Dean was meticulous with details and obsessed by quality. Though he constructed the house for our growing family of five—he was motivated by excellence, as if he were building a place to take care of his mom. The foundation was strong and sturdy, able to withstand the winds ‘sweeping down the plain.’ The walls were measured to perfection—level all the way around. The roof was sealed tight to resist hail and rain. Our house was built solid. Dean even gave us a refrigerator!
Jesus describes two home builders: one who took the time to do the job right and one who took shortcuts. One was motivated by quality first—money second, and one who looked for ways to make an extra dollar on a home that was not built to last. The bad builder claims to be a Christian, but does not put into practice what Jesus says to do. A person who says the right things without real belief—will one day be rejected by the Lord. Their life will be like a house without a solid foundation: unstable, unsafe, insecure and spiritually destructive.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you” (John 14:1-2).
A house of love is built on the foundation of faith in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Some of its most frequented rooms are intimacy, acceptance and fruitfulness. A person who often lingers in these rooms experiences intimacy to grow their affection for their loving Lord Jesus, enjoys 100% acceptance from their gracious heavenly Father and are fulfilled by a fruitful life produced by the fullness of the Holy Spirit through their humble and surrendered life. A house of love is the permanent residence of those who place their trust in Christ alone. Love never fails!
A house of fear is built on the deceptive foundation of sin, Satan and self. Some of its most visited rooms are isolation, disapproval and failure. A person who gets sucked into these hopeless spaces is tormented by loneliness—a victim mentality—“it’s someone else’s fault.” They fear disapproval from the few people who tolerate their tortured soul. Fear is emotionally exhausted, incapable of caring for others. And fear of failure taunts you to the point it becomes a self fulfilling outcome of your insecure imagination. Love or fear, which house are you building?
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to construct a life of love built on faith in Jesus.
Application: What is one way I can love better today?
Related Readings: Romans 14:17-19; Galatians 5:22-26; Colossians 3:14; 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6
Post/Tweet this today: A house of love is the permanent residence of those who place their trust in Christ alone. #WisdomHunters #houseoflove
Worship Video: 4 minutes – Sidewalk Prophets: You Love Me Anyway
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