February 16, 2019 Three Steps

⁴⁷ Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: ⁴⁸ 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.  Luke 6:47,48 (ESV)

This winter has seen me put on more than my usual 3-5 hibernation pounds.  The scales and jeans are all telling me I have spent more couch time and had more cookie forays than usual this November, December and January.  It is time to make some changes.

Fitness articles, blogs, and books are all full of advice, diets, plans, and fads.  More protein.  Less carbs.  Mediterranean foods.  Sit-ups.  Planks.  Although the path to health varies, one things is consistent.  Getting healthy involves a multi-pronged attack.  Start eating good stuff.  Quit eating bad stuff.  Exercise.

Luke outlines for us a three-pronged plan for developing a rock-solid faith, a faith that can withstand the storms and ravages of life.

We must move toward God.  God is there.  He has not distanced himself from us.  We are the ones who through active and passive sin  have disrupted the relationship.  God is waiting, just as the father of the prodigal son, for  us to return to him.

 In the first chapter of James, we are reminded to be "quick to hear".  We should approach God not with a list of our wants, needs, and demands, but with an open heart anticipating what he has for us.  

Finally, after hearing and learning from Him, we must act.  Perhaps we will be instructed to tithe.  Maybe there will be a service opportunity presented.  His message may be to wait.  Regardless of the message, we are called to obedience to his guidance. 

Approach.  Listen.  Act.  A three-step plan to a strong faith.