Thursday, September 12, 2013

A Firm Foundation


Luke 6:46-49
A Firm Foundation

     “And why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood rose, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built upon the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”
     What a storm each of us can expect in our lives if we call upon Jesus to be our Savior! He has promised that we will go through a storm (or many storms) in order to find out if we are actually doers of His word and not just hearers, and to be able to take down a house it must be a fearful storm indeed. I think the word of council here is that we must quickly go about checking our foundation to see if it is safely built on the Rock. We must look closely at our lives and at Jesus’ words to see if we are living by them in every area of our lives. A good concise outline can be found in the earlier verses of this chapter. In verses 20-45 Jesus gives us a close look at how we are to treat one another.
     (-Giving to those who ask, without expecting anything back. -Loving our enemies. -Doing acts of kindness to those who persecute us. -Not judging or condemning. -To pardon one another. -To give freely to those in need. -To be joyful when people persecute us for our love and commitment to Jesus Christ. -To be bearing good fruit.)
     How are we doing? Can any of us honestly say that at any moment day or night we would willingly do any of these things for someone, be they friend or enemy? Or do we say in our hearts, “I will give as long as I can be sure there is enough left for me to not have to go without what I need.” Or, “I can love this person as long as they never do such and such a thing to me again,” or “As long as they apologize then I will forgive.” We all want to add our own “clauses” to the deal. We do something as long as it works for us and doesn’t interfere with our own lives. Jesus does not say that these things are optional. He says, “If you hear these words of Mine and act upon them,” then you will weather the storms that He allows to test you.
     Fortunately there is good news! The good news is that Jesus has made a way for us to be able to accomplish all of these things! Hallelujah! And it doesn’t involve making demands upon your heart to truly love this or that person! It doesn’t involve making yourself want to give your last dollar to a poor man! It doesn’t involve making yourself bear good fruit! There is no way we can make our heart want to do any of these things! We must go to Jesus and have Him give us a new heart, one that does love to do all these things. We must go to Jesus and ask Him for a heart that loves to do all these things and when we receive it all the things Jesus has told us to do will come naturally and easily. We must have a heart of love and compassion given to us by Him. We must have a heart transplant. Our job is to go to Jesus and ask Him for a new heart.
     We ask ourselves, “Is it really so simple?” Jesus said that we must become as little children to begin to understand the ways of God. A little child automatically knows he must ask his parents for the things he wants, for he is dependent upon them for everything. Our old heart is not capable of the love and duty that Jesus says we must be doing in order to survive the storm. We can beat it to death and still it will not love with true Godly love. We must ask Jesus for a new one. Simple, and yet it truly is the only way to begin securing our foundation for the trials ahead.
     The new heart that Jesus gives us does truly love our enemies. It does not even need to be told to love them, it already does. Our new heart does not need to be told to give without needing to be repaid; it loves to give this way! All these things that Jesus has required will take no effort; we will automatically start doing all these things. Don’t get me wrong, the Devil will tempt us to give up doing these things so there will still be a struggle. However we will have a natural desire and ability through Jesus to start doing all of these things and indeed, our doing them will be a sign that Jesus has given us a new heart!
     So let us not yell and scream at our old heart for not doing what it never could do, but let us sit quietly at Jesus feet as little children and ask for a new heart from Him. God bless you all and may He give each of you a fresh joy without measure and may others see that joy and find the Eternal Wellspring of Life through Jesus Christ! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord for His mercies are new every morning!

15 comments:

  1. Seth, I read your reference - Luke Chapter 6 verses 20-45. I loved reading what Jesus said in it. I love the way He teaches us to treat ourneighbors. I LOVE THE WAY HE TALKS!

    I never thought of it before you mentioned it - how, only with a new heart in us, from God, can we love like Jesus says to love. I feel you are %100 right. For I, with my old heart, could never love my enemies to the extent Jesus talks about in Luke chapter 6. God bless

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  2. I enjoyed reading the blog. I like the concept of the 'houses structure' metaphore and agree that people should be as selfless as possible but on the otherhand in order to give to another you would have to have something to give. What happens when giving it your all isn't enough? The part about asking Jesus for a new heart leaves me wondering if Jesus does the open heart surgery how long would it take for your wounds to heal and if perhaps the incision would leave a scar. Also, assuming the procedure went well how long would you have to wait to get on the operating table? I believe in Jesus but I don't know why everything in religion has to be some kind of test of faith? Why couldn't Jesus just give you the good heart to begin with and have faith that you will later express your gratitude?

    Victor Foster, 22
    Uncle of Adrianna

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    1. You can get on the operating table as soon as you want. Each person's experience is different it depends on how sincere or serious you are. Assuming that you are sincere you will notice a change immediately. But growing in christ is an onging process it's impportant to keep praying and studying his word. Even if you don't feel like you are enough it is not your job to convert anyone that's the holy spirit's job, just do what you can.
      In Christanity faith is necessary because God is not present in the flesh you have to believe that he exist one does not usually see him with their naked eyes.
      God does not want to just give you a new heart. He wants you to seek a new heart before he gives you one. It is all about the freedom to choose. He does not force anyone to do anything, we are not his slaves. He wants us to want to serve him.

      Sheena, 22

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    2. VICTOR.
      I liked the way you said you liked the "House structure metaphor"(Jesus's idea). Yea, Seth is quoting from the bible what Jesus said. I 'm sure you pleased Him(esus) by liking the way he used "metaphors". Oh, He calls them parables. God Bless.

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    3. Hi Victor,
      If God gave us a new heart to begin with we wouldn't need God at all. We wear born with a sinful nature and in order to have what you say there would be no faith to trust in God at all. As far as healing your wounds it takes time and there again its a daily walk with the Lord and trusting Him. Even surgery is a day by day process. In Phil.4:6 it says Be anxious for nothing,but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let our request be made know to God. I hope I answer your questions for you God Bless You. Carmella

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    4. Carmella. Love your comment.

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  3. Jesus is our foundation. It is the baseline of everything we do and say.Out of that foundation comes the guide lines to Jesus our lifeline. Without that firm foundation in him, our lives are live like sinking sand,if Jesus says to do it.......We do it. Do not do it.....Do not, or you will face consquences......As always it is a fight against the flesh. We will face trials, and in those trials we will see if we are tossed to and fro, or if our relationship is on the firm foundation......Jesus., the ROCK...

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  4. Seth, this is just a brilliant teaching! I feel you are sitting at the throne of grace at the feet of our Father listening to His heart. Then you come back down into our world to teach and guide us. The simplicity and truth of this message is astounding! I feel you are going from glory to glory in your Bible teaching, Seth! Praise the Lord for the work He is doing though you!! Love to you and your dear family, Aunt Sue

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  5. Jesus is a wonderful person and i love him so much. Everyday we should pray and thank him for saving us.


    - Andreana

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  6. Its up lifting and very true. Not many in the world are ready to forgive and forget what another person has done to them . God Bless Tatyanna

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  7. Seth, what you wrote, is so true, yet it seems almost impossible to really believe that I, if anyone has read my replies in past, I know u have Seth-so though I am gettingso much stronger in my faith each day due to things - that began as a bad situation(s), suddenly a thought would pop into head & answer turned all around to the positive! PRAISE THE LORD!

    To go back to subject, I totally am along with VICTOR . How, when, will there be a 'scar' where, how I feel, I'll still have my 'old' 'blood', will it 'contaminatemy "new heart"? iI already follow 2 or so of what is written, but loving my enemies & all their emotional damage that they accomplished in doing-thank the LORD that HE opened my eyes to realize damage being done & now am so much the wiser due too my LORD answering my prayer. Closest I can come to foregiveness is pity. He Throws around "I'm saved- so I know where I'm going and "born again Christian"- watches Ron Carpenter onTBN on (must admit this pastor speaks to you like I've never experienced- but I do not watch him faithfully, nor do I watch any other religious programs in that venue- most aretoo 'churchy'? for me-choir, standing on top of pulpit, etc. Well I'm rambling on, though all I've said I've meant, but the LORD, now that I've REALLY taken HIM into my very being, & thanked,praised HIM, I can go on & on of even little things that I have noticed have changed for the better. Come to realization, though I still have many questions, I LOVE MY LORD! I feel so strange saying thatfor others to actually hear & read it-always been alone saying that. GOD BLESS. Oh I have a neighbor-just had a complete hip replacement- great friendly guy, please pray for his quick recovery& that his body will accept it. Thank you all. Laurie-3

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  8. THE MESSAGE I GOT IS FIRST THAT WE ,AS THE PEOPLE OF GOD, HIS SHEEP ,PEOPLE OF WILL KNOW HEAR HIS VOICE AND IF WE HEARKEN UNTO HIS VOICE HEWILL COME IN CHANGE AND GIVE US A NEW HEART, ONE THATS FILLS VOIDS LOVES AND THINK OF OTHER.AS CHRIST DOES FOR US WE MUST BUILD OUR SALAVATION ON THAT ROCK BEING JESUS CHRIST, NOT ON MOVEABLE UNSTEADY FOUNDATIONS. GOD BLESS, CLARENCE

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  9. I thought it was interesting reading this.
    You have to except Jesus and bring Him in your heart. God bless. Sheryl

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  10. I want to be that child at the foot of the cross and ask him for a new heart. I long to be more like Jesus and less of myself....Connie

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  11. I agree to be more like Jesus and less of me. Thats hat born really is all about......God Bless You Carmella

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