Luke 6:46-49
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
If you haven’t already, read Luke 6:43-45 and remember what Jesus said about how our actions reveal our truest motivations and values. Then read Luke 6:46-49.
Again in this passage, Jesus makes a very clear statement about reality: a life built on the foundation of the Kingdom of God is a life well lived. Living a life of shalom doesn’t mean avoiding all the pain and problems that arise naturally in this broken world, but it does mean that God will sustain us and grow us in the midst of trouble. The alternative is to face pain and problems without the support of God.
Take some time to think back over your life and identify how and when God has sustained you through times of pain and difficulty. As thoughts come to mind turn them into prayers of gratitude.
Read Luke 6:46-49 again.
Rejecting God altogether is an obvious recipe for disaster, but building our lives on surface beliefs or rituals that don’t make us more like Jesus is a more insidious danger. A hollow form of religion that doesn’t transform us will not sustain us when waves of difficulty begin to roll. To the outside world, our religious activities may have the appearance of stability, but ultimately when trouble comes, our shaky foundation will give way.
Stop to let all your thoughts settle. Breathe in the name of Jesus and breathe out any anxiety you are experiencing.
When you feel centered, take some time to notice how your thoughts and actions have been influenced by Jesus over the past several weeks. Then get still and listen to him.
What is Jesus inviting you to change or do today?
What do you plan to do about that?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
