THE ROCK

Today’s Reading: Matthew 7

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The “Church of the Primacy of St. Peter” on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, Israel. It is built upon a rock known as the place where Jesus prepared breakfast for His disciples, following His resurrection and after Peter said to the others, “I’m going fishing!” They fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus then told them “Cast your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some” (more about this story in John 21).

Key Verse: Matthew 7:24 (NKJV)

“Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.“

Jesus’ disciple, Simon, listened in person to the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus had given him another name, Peter, or “Rock.” Peter had many lessons to learn before he could stand as a solid rock to deliver the foundational message for Jesus’ Church on the day of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church (Acts 2). John Paul II said, during his visit to Canada (he spoke French as he was in Quebec City), “Pierre est une petit pierre, mais Jesus est Le Grand Pierre…Peter is a small rock, but Jesus is the Great Rock.” I was listening to the Pope on the radio. He was right! Let us build our lives on “The Great Rock,” the Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord Jesus, My life is being built on You as my sure foundation. On You I am secure forever. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

My wife was born in 1939 in a farm house built in 1878. It had solid foundations. Norma-Jean would often spend long periods of prayer in her birth room. Her life, like the house, was unmovable, totally secure. In 2006, we sold that farm and built a smaller house. I personally helped the builder lay the foundations on solid rock. In the place we built, there is massive rock everywhere. As a 16 year old, I made a lifetime decision. I would build my life on “The Great Rock.” I’ve discovered that He is solid, and I am anchored to Him; He’s rock solid. I believe that no storms of life will ever push me off the secure Foundation of Jesus Christ!

Your Brother in Christ,

David