LUKE 6:47-48

As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are 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.

TO PONDER

I want to take this devotion in a slightly different direction than you are maybe used to.

While I acknowledge it is a sad thing to recall and one that has happened more frequently than we would usually expect in recent years, I am always awed by the destructive power of floods. I remember just a year or two ago watching the news as what looked like entire houses were swept down the Brisbane river in the South East Queensland floods.

You know what wasn't swept away though, the foundations. In most cases these houses were built on foundations that were well established, that didn't move, but it was the way the house was build or attached to the foundations that failed under pressure.

I wonder if for many Christians in 'Western' societies and cultures today it's not the foundation that's the problem - we are happy for the Word of God to be what we build our lives on - as long as we get to build the life we want. the problem with that is that if the house you build is not aligned and integrated well with the foundations, it won't matter how good the foundations are, the building will still collapse or wash away under flood conditions.

Don't just let Jesus and his words be the foundation. Let Jesus do the complete build, then you know you'll have a safe place to find comfort and shelter in the storm.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus you are the master builder and carpenter. give me the courage to allow you to build my life as you see fit so that it may bring glory and honour to you. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.