Scripture: Luke 6:47-48
I’ll show what it’s like when someone comes to me, hears my words, and puts them into practice. It’s like a person building a house by digging deep and laying the foundation on bedrock. When the flood came, the rising water smashed against that house, but the water couldn’t shake the house because it was well built.
Thought for the Day: There are three parts in vs. 47 to which we must pay attention. They are: coming to Jesus, hearing the word and putting these words into practice. I am struck by the word we translate as put into practice. It is the word: Hupodeiknumi. It is made of two words that mean: Under and Exposed to the Eye. Our actions, in response to being students of Jesus, should be brought close enough for others to clearly see. I doubt Jesus is suggesting that we be obnoxious or irritating in the sense of flaunting our faith. Jesus never appeared to be the flaunting type, but he was unafraid to live his faith. When I say that, I’m not talking about wearing a Christian t-shirt or slapping a fish sticker on the bumper of the car. Those are not necessarily bad things, but the world needs Christ, and Jesus is enfleshed in human beings who choose to show compassion, demonstrate love, offer forgiveness and provide hope. A person who does these things is like a house build upon a strong foundation. Now this might be upsetting to some, but I don’t believe (at least as Luke’s Gospel presents it) that prayer, worship, Bible study and fasting are what make a strong foundation. Those are all central to Christian life, but strong foundations are found in those who take what they’ve learned and experienced in prayer, worship, Bible study and fasting, and then applied it to their Christ-like living.
Prayer: I want nothing more than to have a strong foundation on which to live my life, and so I look to embody your teachings, O Lord, for others to experience. May I do so with both passion and humility. Amen.
MEN’S GATHERING
TONIGHT
Cramer Retreat Center
Dinner at 6:30pm
Study at 7:00pm
