Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Clean Quote

Clean Quote

"Once the axe has been laid to the root of the unproductive tree, it is useless for the branches to start pushing out their withering buds. Faking to turn to God when judgment is at hand is like trying to swim after the pool has been emptied. Hurry up in time!"

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Follow the Plan Genesis 6:9-22

Follow the Plan

Genesis 6:9-22

"So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. This is how you are to build it…"
(GENESIS 6:14-15)

God gave Noah exact dimensions for the ark - measurements so precise that readers are often tempted to skip these seemingly boring details. Yet, each number was critical to the ark's ability to survive the massive flood that was to come. After the water receded, humanity once again flourished thanks to the Master Builder's plan and Noah's obedience.

Building something of lasting value requires not just reading good blueprints, but following them, too. No one would buy a house whose builder forgot to put in a door or placed the bathtub in the middle of the kitchen.

If we want to use our lives to build something of eternal value, we need to start with the right blueprints: God's Word. However, it is not enough for us to just read the Bible. We must obey it. God has enabled us to withstand the rising floodwaters of sin by giving us saving grace through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the "ark" in which we all can hide, and we are confident that when we pass through the waters, He will be there (Isaiah 43:2).

INSIGHT
WHAT COMMAND IN GOD'S WORD ARE YOU STRUGGLING TO OBEY? Determine to obey what He says today without further hesitation.

Solid Foundation, Matthew 7:24-29

Solid Foundation

Matthew 7:24-29

"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 7:25)

The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, stand 1,453 feet high. The towers were the tallest buildings in the world from 1997 through 2003. They are also famous for their deep foundations. Bedrock in Kuala Lumpur is located far below the earth's surface, so builders were required to dig 394 feet to create a stable base for each of the skyscrapers.

Jesus taught us the importance of building our lives on a sure foundation. The world tells us to place a priority on pursuing our own interests. But Jesus said that when we build our lives on the solid rock of His Word, we gain a stable foundation for life.

As Christians, we might not think of rejecting the Word of God outright. Still, we often treat His commands as suggestions. We delay obedience or rationalize why we have chosen not to obey at all. Then we wonder why we lack the strength to withstand the temptations and trials of life. Rest solidly on Jesus Chris - He is the only foundation on which to build lives that will glorify Him.

INSIGHT
DO YOU RECEIVE GOD'S WORD AS A SUGGESTION OR AS YOUR SOLID FOUNDATION? FOLLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT'S PROMPTING TO OBEY HIS WORD TODAY.