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Still Rolling Stones • Set in Stone – 4/11/21

How many who call themselves Christians are simply playing the hokey pokey with their spiritual life? They are in, then they’re out. They go through some of the motions and think, “That’s what it’s all about!” In Matthew 7 Jesus tells the story of the man who built his house on sand. I’m sure it looked just fine until the rains came, the winds blew, and the monsoon overtook it. As a child we sang about this story. The line in the song says, “And the house on the sand fell flat!” Too many, who consider themselves people of faith, are making sand decisions at the expense of stability and safety. Their lives are overcommitted, things are on overload, they live with tension and conflict, worry and fret, frustration and dissatisfaction. Almost every time a person makes a decision that drags them from worship, takes them out of fellowship with Christian friends or causes them to set aside their personal devotion time, they are making a sandy choice. When you don’t center your life in Christ, you are exposed to the elements without shelter, without safety, without protection.

Scriptures – Ps 61:3-5; Ps 27:5; Is 30:21; Pr 3:5-6; 2 Ki 6:17; Mt 7:24-25; Mt 6:33  

Verses – Indeed, you are my shelter, a strong tower that protects me from the enemy. I will be a permanent guest in your home; I will find shelter in the protection of your wings. Selah For you, O God, hear my vows; you grant me the reward that belongs to your loyal followers. (Pr 61:3-5) In times of trouble he will shelter me; he will keep me safe in his Temple and make me secure on a high rock. (Ps 27:5) “Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on solid rock.” (Mt 7:24-25)

Thought – Only when you take shelter in God, do you find safety, protection and stability. In our world today, storms are threatening, the struggles are real; it’s easy to feel that you are losing your footing. It’s absolutely essential to shelter in God. When you turn everything over to Him; when you open your heart, mind and soul completely to him, He covers you, He shelters you, He guides you. Following God means turning your back on culture. Culture says to follow your heart, which leads you on an endless quest to find satisfaction through the world. When you try to control your life and future, disappointment and perhaps devastation result. Will you allow God to be God or will you be your own god? God’s word is truth. When you decide to do things your own way, you are making a sandy decision, unstable, and destined for disaster. Choosing to shelter in God is not easy. Doing the right thing, seldom is. Satan will try to distract and disillusion you, but if you hold tightly to the truth you know, and cling to God, you will grow and become stronger. You will have a solid foundation, a shelter in the time of storm.

Questions – How easily is your spiritual foundation shaken? What sandpits are you most vulnerable to? What sandpits do you see culture building on? How do you unapologetically cling to the rock solid truth of God’s Word in today’s culture of animosity?

Response – Every time you make a decision to add something to your life—an extracurricular activity, anything that will take time, energy and dedication, ask yourself, “Am I making a decision that builds on rock or sand?”

Prayer – My Hope is Built on Nothing Less – Hymn by Edward Mote – My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. In every rough and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the vale. When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand! Keep me grounded, and sheltered in your truth, Lord. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

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