IN TOUCH, with Charles Stanley/OUR DAILY BREAD

OUR DAILY BREAD: (MATTHEW 7:24-27).
RESILIENT FAITH:
1)   Towering dunes along the north shore of Silver Lake (in Michigan), put nearby homes at risk of sinking into shifting sands. Though residents tried moving mounds of sand in efforts to protect their homes, they watched helplessly as well-built houses were buried right before their eyes. As a local sheriff oversaw the cleanup of a recently destroyed cottage, he affirmed the process couldn't be prevented. No matter how hard homeowners tried to avoid the dangers of these unsteady embankments, the dunes simply couldn't provide a strong foundation support.
   Jesus knew the futility of building a house on sand. After warning the disciples to be wary of false prophets., HE them that loving obedience demonstrates wisdom (Matt. 7:15-23). HE said that everyone who hears HIS words and "puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock" (v.24). The one who hears GOD's words and chooses not to put them into practice, however, is "like a foolish man who built his house on sand" (v26).
 When circumstances feel like shifting sands burying us under the weight of affliction or worries, we can place our hope in CHRIST, our ROCK. HE will help us develop resilient faith built on the unshakable foundation of HIS unchanging character. 
   (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. 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. 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. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash).  
INSITE  
   The last section of JESUS' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) contains the parable of the wise and foolish builders (7:24-27). It's important to note that this parable begins with the word therefore, a word which always connects what follows to what directly precedes it. It indicates a consequence or a result. Readers are to back up and consider what was written in the preceding verses.
   What precedes the concluding parable of the Sermon on the Mount is the entire sermon, not merely a few verses. Jesus' challenge isn't simply to live a morally rigorous life, but to live as citizens of the kingdom of heaven and to let our lives reflect the reality of God's rule in our hearts. This parable is Jesus' challenge to HIS listeners to put HIS words into practice. They're to base their lives on HIM and HIS teaching, for all other foundations shift and blow away.  

   2) DEALING WITH DISAGREEMENT: (COLOSSIANS 3:12-14).
   THE SOCIAL MEDIA POWERHOUSE TWITTER created a platform where people all over the world express opinions in short sound bites. In recent years, however, this formula has become more complex as individuals have begun to leverage Twitter as a tool to reprimand others for attitudes and lifestyles, they disagree with. Log on to the platform on any given day, and you'll find the name of at least one person "trending". Click on that name, and you'll find millions of people expressing opinions about whatever controversy has emerged.
   We've learned to publicly criticize everything from the beliefs everything from the beliefs people hold to the clothes they wear. The reality, however, is that a critical and unloving attitude doesn't align with who GOD has called us to be as believers in Jesus. While there will be times when we have to deal with disagreement, the Bible reminds us that as believers we're to always conduct ourselves with "compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (COLOSSIANS 3:12). Instead of being harshly critical, even of our enemies, GOD urges us to "bear with each other and forgive one another if [we have] a grievance' (v.13). 
   This treatment isn't limited to the people whose lifestyles and beliefs we agree with. Even when it's difficult, may we extend grace and love to everyone we encounter as Christ guides us, recognizing that we've been redeemed by HIS love.
   Therefore, as GOD's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the LORD forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.