Do you realize it is hard to stand firm on shifting sand? To stand firm requires a solid foundation! Standing firm also requires wisdom and diligence!
God’s Word from Matthew 7 provides us with some powerful insight into what it takes when it says:
‘ “So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man [a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man] who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; yet 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 (stupid) man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great and complete was its fall.” ‘
Matthew 7:24-27
Lessons from Matthew 7
Firstly, we learn that it requires hearing the words of Jesus. So this means someone has to be telling and sharing the words of Jesus in order for us and others to be able to hear the words of Jesus. Will you choose to be the conduit for God’s Word into your marriage, your family, and your world?
Secondly, we learn that it requires putting the words of Jesus into action. Faith is active and alive and so that means we can’t just be hearers of the Word but also doers of the Word! We need to be doing what Jesus created, purposed, and has called us to do! Are you ready to do what God is asking of you in your marriage, family, and world?
Finally, we learn that when we hear the words of Jesus and put them into practice, we are like a wise man who builds his house on the rock. We learn that we become far-sighted, practical, and sensible! We are then ready to stand firm because we have built our lives upon the rock of Jesus Christ!
Today’s Verse of the Day:
‘ “So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man [a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man] who built his house on the rock. ‘
Matthew 7:24
Stand Firm on the Words of Jesus:
Are you a dad who has heard the words of Jesus? Were you introduced to it through friends, family, or a church? Do you have a Bible? Firstly, let’s be dads who spend time in God’s Word through the Bible and look for practical ways to put them into action! Secondly, let’s be the dads who share the Word of God with our wives, kids, and world so they can hear and also put the words of Jesus into action! Finally, let’s stand firm on the rock of Jesus Christ, being far-sighted, practical, and sensible so that we can be the dads God created, purposed, and plans for us to be!
Do you know how to put today’s verse of the day into practice? Can you think of ways to apply it to how you choose to live your life as a dad?
Applications of today’s verse of the day to how we choose to live our lives and build our families to stand firm:
- Hear and study the Word of God: Dads can begin by reading and studying the Bible together with their families to better understand God’s Word and how to apply it to their lives.
- Build a strong foundation: Just as a wise man builds his house on the rock, dads should build their marriages and families on a strong foundation of faith, love, and trust in God.
- Pray together: Dads can encourage their families to pray together regularly, seeking God’s guidance and wisdom in all areas of life.
- Serve others: Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves, so dads can model this by serving others and demonstrating compassion and kindness.
- Practice forgiveness: Forgiveness is essential in building strong relationships. Dads can teach their families to forgive one another and work through conflicts with grace and humility.
- Practice humility: Humility is key to building healthy relationships. Dads can model humility by admitting when they’re wrong, seeking forgiveness, and valuing others’ opinions.
- Be patient: Patience is a virtue that is necessary for building strong families. Dads can model patience by being understanding and supportive of the needs and struggles of their family members.
- Communicate effectively: Communication is key to building healthy relationships. Dads can model effective communication by listening actively, speaking with kindness, and seeking to understand others’ perspectives.
- Encourage growth: Dads can encourage their family members to grow and develop in their faith, talents, and interests, providing support and encouragement along the way.
- Celebrate successes: Celebrating successes, both big and small, is essential in building strong families. Dads can celebrate their family members’ accomplishments and milestones, providing a positive and encouraging environment for everyone to thrive.
