Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock (Mathew 7:24-25). 

The rock is Jesus Christ and the house represents a life that is pleasing to God. A life well spent living on the foundations of obedience to God's word. It is only this house that can stand against the divine judgement. For it calls for repentance, rejection of salvation by works, and trust in God's grace to save through his merciful provision.

Luke 6:47-48 describes it in this way; Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.

Lord, I come to you today with a humble heart. May we hear Your word today and act upon it. May we open our eyes so that we may behold wondrous things out of your law. Hide not your commandments from me. My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times. Keep my soul from wandering so that I do not sin against You. Teach me your statutes and make me understand the way of your precepts. Strengthen me according to your word. Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law. I cling to your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Thank you for Jesus Christ who chose to be the redeemer of man by giving himself once for all. For it is by his stripes we are healed. It by his death and resurrection that we have been restored in right relationship with You. May my prayer be pleasing to you. May it be a sweet sound and a pleasing aroma. I offer my praise and worship to You alone. It is in Jesus that I hope and put my trust. And it is in Jesus precious name I lift my prayer, amen. 

In the closing section of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus states in Matthew 7:13: Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few (v14).

Here we find the gospel application: There are two ways, there are two kinds of people, two kinds of foundations, two kinds of fruit. One path leads to destruction and eternal separation from God, The other eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Which path are you on? The wide gate includes all religions of works and self-righteousness, with may ways but leads to hell. The narrow gate is constricted and precise and represents God's salvation plan through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. It is by faith only in Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life ( Ephesians 2:8-9).

Lord, I come to you with a humble heart thanking You for opening the door to my heart so that You may come in and dine with me. You have made me new and whole again. You have covered me with your righteousness and by your stripes I am healed. May You forgive your servant for sinning against You. My life is in Your hands and I am protected by Your great strength from the evil that would take this life from me. It is by You that I see Your wonderful works. It is by Your grace that my eyes are opened to the things of God. It is by You that I am able to feel the overwhelmingness in my heart that worships You. May my prayer be acceptable to You. May it please my God and my Savior. I pray for those around me that do not know You. I pray for those who are thinking about making the decision to ask you to forgive them and acknowledge you as their Lord and Savior to do it today. Do it today while there is still today. It is in Jesus name I pray, amen. 

We must ask ourselves this question: What is the goal of the Christian life according to Scripture? As a Christian, "we must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness". 

​Matthew 6:33 states: "we must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness". and all these things shall be added to you". Jesus was urging them to seek salvation. With the seeking the kingdom first would come the full care and provision of God (Romans 8:33). 

Jesus would often describe the process of seeking by telling parables about the kingdom of God. One such parable is the lost coin in Luke 15. A woman owns 10 silver coins, and loses one coin so she lights a lamp and sweeps the house diligently until she finds it (v8). What does the woman do when she finds it?  She calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost (v 9). Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.(v. 10).

With seeking the kingdom of God there should be an intensity in the quest and the seeking. There should be an urgency in our search as if we had lost something of great value and we will not give up the intensity of our seeking until we have found it. God is not hiding from man while we desperately try to find him. God manifests Himself. And just as Adam and Eve did at the fall (Genesis 3:8), It is man that is hiding and running away from Him (Romans 3:10-19).

But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray (Luke 5:16 ESV). Jesus himself spent time in prayer. Even though he was and is the incarnate second person of the Trinity and enjoyed perfect communion with his Father, yet Christ would still spend time with God in prayer.  Christ drew from Him the strength He needed to continue in His work as the perfect Mediator between the Creator and human beings. In His glorified state, Jesus continues to pray, interceding for His people. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25). Jesus' example helps us understand that we really cannot do without prayer. 

If it was necessary for the Lord Jesus to find strengthening and intimate power from being alone with the Father, how much more important it is for us to be before the Father. If the Son of God needed to pray, so do we. Without regular prayer, our effectiveness in ministry and as salt and light to a spiritually dying world will diminish. Let us spend time before the Lord and deepen our relationship with Him. For it is by Him that we can recharge our spiritual strength. 

Lord, I come to you with a humble heart. I come to you and ask that you forgive me when I sin and fall short of your glory. It is at your feet that I find strength. It is in the quietness of the morning when I spend time with you that my soul finds renewal for the day. For in this life I am bombarded with assaults of flaming arrows. It is in Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior that  I find rest. In You I find comfort. In You I find peace. In You I find hope. And it is in You that my soul is quenched with living water. I give You alone praise. I give You alone worship. Your are greatly to be praised. Your righteousness clothes me as I come to you with my prayer. The Holy Spirit intercedes for me with words too deep for me to understand. Thank you for your grace and mercy. It is in Jesus name I pray, amen.

As Children of God and heirs of Jesus Christ, we have an intercessor, the holy Spirit. The Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26). For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (v. 26).

The holy Spirit intercedes for us with divine articulation of words within the Trinity that cannot be expressed with words. How vast the Father's love for us. For even in our prayer He is interceding for us. These words carry profound appeals for the welfare of every believer. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (v. 28).

Lord, I come to you with a humble heart. I come to you with awe of the way in which you show your great love for your Children. For even in prayer you are interceding for us. You sent your Helper and Comforter to witness to those you love. When I don't know what to pray for, the Spirit is making an appeal for my wellbeing. I give you my praise and worship. I give you my life and you hold me in your hands. Your are my shield and my protection. Guide me this day I pray to live my life pleasing to you. Forgive me when I sin and fall short of your marvelous glory. May all that I do reflect Christ who lives in me. Thank you for Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord. It is in His precious name I pray, amen.

This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope. The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:21-23). When we rise in the morning or lie down to rest, let us remember the grace, mercy, and compassion of God. Great is His faithfulness toward us. 

Although Lamentations was written to keep alive the memory of the once beautiful city of Jerusalem and the remembrance of its fall, it is also written to teach all believers how to deal with suffering. At the center of it all, God's faithful and stedfast love. His character never changes and encompasses his love, grace, mercy, goodness, forgiveness, truth, compassion, and faithfulness. His mercies never come to an end. The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him (v. 25).

Lord, I come to You with a humble heart. I come to You in awe of your great faithfulness to those that are called by your name. My soul is overwhelmed at the thought of your great love for us. From the first to the last word pinned You have shown us your great mercies. Thank you for making a way through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior to be reconciled to you. May all that I do point to you. May the words of my mouth continually speak the truths of your word. May the glory always be given to you. It is in Jesus Christ and him alone I pray and give thanks. May my worship be pleasing to you. May it be a sweet sound to your ears. In Jesus precious name I pray, amen. 

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
​
Song by Stuart Townend

Lord, my God and my Savior, I come to you on bended knee. I come to you with a contrite and humble heart. You made a sinner such as me your treasure. With your dying breath you brought me life. Your wounds have paid my ransom. My sin held you there on the cross until your work was accomplished. Thank You for Your grace and mercy poured out on me. Thank you for loving us so much that you would give yourself. It is by your stripes that I am healed. My heart is overwhelmed. Forgive me when I sin and fall short of your glory. I worship you alone and give you praise. I love you Lord for you first loved me. It is in Jesus name I pray, amen.

No matter what we may be facing in this life, God is our refuge and fortress. Satan will try as he might to trip us up, but we have the promise that under the shelter of the Most High we may abide in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1 ESV). And it is here that we have the most intimate protection and divine place of protection. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways (v. 11).  On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone (v. 12). 

Lord, I come to you with a humble heart. I call out to you and ask for forgiveness when I sin and fall short of your glory. As I read Your holy Words in Scripture, my heart wells within me. I cannot contain your goodness and mercy for it is more than this mere fleshly body can contain. Thank you for guarding and protecting your Children. For you even command your angles to protect us. Thank you for the blessing poured out on those that love you. I cling to You my God and my Savior. I come to You and worship You. Thank you for Jesus Christ who bore my sin, who took upon himself the weight of sin past, present, and future so that I my live with you for eternity. May all that I do point to you. May my prayer be a sweet sound and pleasing aroma. It is in Jesus name I pray, amen.

Consider the families of Cain and Abel, Isaac and Jacob. Ever since Cain and Abel, peace in the family has been a challenge. And the bad blood between Isaac and Jacob still affect our world a millennia later. However, we are called, as the Children of God, to love one another and to live peacefully. 

Scripture tells us in Romans 12:18: "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all".  Note that there is no guarantee of peace. But as far as it depends on each one of us, we must strive for peace. Family should be where peace begins. Husband, wife, and children remain the bedrock of culture and civilization. Remember the saying; "As families go, so goes culture." It isn't easy to live with some. But as far as it is up to you, live peaceably, pray often and fervently for your family.  Love them even when they are unlovely, for isn't that what Jesus Christ did for us? Whatever peace, and brief it can be, we enjoy now is a taste of, and what should make us long more fervently for, the final and full peace in the family of God at the wedding feast of the Lamb.

Lord, I come to you with a contrite and humble heart. Forgive me when I sin and fall short of your glory. I pray that you give me the strength to live peaceably when it seems as though peace cannot be found. To live with my family, friends, co-workers, and the world around me in a way that reflects Jesus Christ. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for carrying my sin on the cross and dying in my place. Thank you for taking the wrath of God in my place that should have been for me. Help me to remember Your command to live peaceably. May my prayer be pleasing to You. May it be a sweet sound to Your ears and a pleasing aroma. My heart seeks to live in obedience to Your Word. I long for and thirst for the living water.  It is in Jesus precious name I pray, amen.