Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Choose one or two key verses from the Scripture reading in Matthew today and do at least one of the following for your chosen verse(s).
A – Ask questions of the text (Who, what, why, where, when)
E – Emphasize certain words as you read the text over & over
I – In your own words (paraphrase one or more verses)
O – Other verses in the Bible that say the same or opposite
U – Use it; apply the truth from the text in your life
Lord help me to not only read Your Word, but I ask that You change my life with the life giving Words. Help me to conform my priorities and desires to be consistent with Your Will. Modify my desires so that I am content and satisfied with what I have and always trusting you that it will be enough. Let my character reflect Your compassion and love in everything I do, not only when people are looking. And then when the major trials come, and I know they will, help my faith be seasoned, firm and strong to carry me through. Amen.